SkyWest Pilot Pay: First Officer and Captain Salary
How Much Is SkyWest Pilot Pay?
SkyWest pilot pay depends on your seat, your years with the company, and the hours you fly, with a 75-hour monthly guarantee. Based on SkyWest's published hourly rates and 80 hours a month, first officers earn an estimated $89,021 in year one and about $94,157 in year three. Captains start around $138,470 and reach about $190,003 by year 12 and $213,638 by year 20. These figures don't include per diem, profit sharing, or 401(k) contributions.
In this article I’m going to break down SkyWest pilot pay and show you what sets SkyWest airlines apart from many of the other regional airlines in the United States.
SkyWest is an independent regional airline that has partnerships with several airlines — including Delta, United, American, and Alaska. This distinguishes them from many other regional airlines like Envoy, that only fly for their parent company.
Another unique aspect of SkyWest is that they do not adhere to union representation. Instead their pilots are organized under an independent association called SkyWest Airline Pilots Association.
SkyWest is also known for their focus on pilot career development. They’ve implemented programs to support pilots in advancing their careers
Now that you know the basics of SkyWest, let’s take a look at SkyWest pilot pay.
SkyWest Airlines Pilot Salary
SkyWest pilot pay depends on hours flown each bid period. SkyWest has a 75-hour monthly guarantee and a 65-hour training guarantee, so annual salary figures are rough estimates.
SkyWest pilot pay will vary based on the number of hours you fly during each bid period. They have a 75-hour monthly guarantee after completing Initial Operating Experience (IOE) and a 4.2-hour minimum daily guarantee. Given this, the salary below is only a rough estimate of annual pay based on available sources.
How Did We Get These Numbers
The SkyWest pay figures come from the latest SkyWest pilot contract, updated for 2024. The estimates exclude per diem, profit sharing, override pay and 401k contributions, which increase total compensation considerably.
All hourly rates below come from the pay scale SkyWest publishes on its pilot careers page, as of September 2026. Each annual estimate is the hourly rate times 80 hours per month times 12 months. The pay estimates below don’t include any per diem, profit sharing, override pay, or 401k contributions which will increase overall compensation considerably.
SkyWest First Officer Pay
SkyWest first officers earn about $86,000 to $102,000 a year, based on 80 hours per month. Estimated pay is $87,264 in year 1, $96,374 in year 5 and $101,808 in year 10.
The SkyWest first officer salary varies depending on how many hours they’re flying each month and their years with the company. Here’s a detailed breakdown.
Estimated pay for SkyWest First Officers in years 1 to 3: $89,021 to $94,157
SkyWest currently publishes first officer rates for years 1 and 3 only, so we don’t estimate later years.
| Years of Experience | Hourly Rate | Estimated Annual Pay (80 hours per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $92.73 | $89,021 |
| Year 3 | $98.08 | $94,157 |
SkyWest Captain Pay
For a regional airline, a SkyWest captain salary can be quite considerable. SkyWest is known for being one of the best run airlines in the country and their captain pay is competitive among regional airlines in the US.
Estimated pay for SkyWest Captains in years 1 to 20: $138,470 to $213,638
| Years of Experience | Hourly Rate | Estimated Annual Pay (80 hours per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $144.24 | $138,470 |
| Year 3 | $153.91 | $147,754 |
| Year 12 | $197.92 | $190,003 |
| Year 20 | $222.54 | $213,638 |
Calculate Your Potential SkyWest Pilot Salary
We’ve put together this simple calculator to give you an estimate of how much you could earn as a SkyWest pilot. It uses an earlier SkyWest pay scale, so its results run slightly below the current published rates in the tables above.
SkyWest Pilot Benefits
As a SkyWest pilot, not only do you get a competitive salary but also a comprehensive benefits package that enhances your overall compensation significantly.
Health and Retirement Benefits
SkyWest pilots get medical, dental and vision insurance that covers them and their families. SkyWest also offers a 401(k) program described as industry-leading, making it easier for pilots to plan and save for retirement.
SkyWest offers a range of health benefits and retirement plans. Like most companies, you’ll have access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, ensuring that you and your family are covered.
SkyWest also provides an industry-leading 401(k) program, making it easier for you to plan and save for retirement.
Travel Benefits Unique to SkyWest
SkyWest travel benefits cover flights on SkyWest and its major partner airlines, Delta, United and American. That partner access sets SkyWest apart from many other airlines and reaches flights almost anywhere in the world.
As you’d expect, you receive flight benefits with SkyWest. But what really sets them apart from many other airlines is you’ll have the ability to fly not only on SkyWest’s flights but also on those of its major partner airlines.
So you can get flight benefits on Delta, United, and American. This gives you incredible access to flights just about anywhere in the world.
Where are SkyWest Bases?
SkyWest pilot bases cover the entire country, with primary crew bases in Salt Lake City, Denver, Portland and Seattle. Other major bases include Chicago O'Hare, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth and Atlanta.
SkyWest pilot bases cover the entire country.
SkyWest Airlines has established primary crew bases in major cities, including Salt Lake City, Denver, Portland, and Seattle. Each base is strategically located to serve various regional routes and connect to larger airports.
Other significant SkyWest bases include Chicago O’Hare, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Atlanta. These locations provide you with diverse flying opportunities, allowing you to gain experience and build a professional network.
They have different bases for each jet with some bases flying both jets. SkyWest also has more bases than just about any other airline.
ERJ SkyWest Bases
SkyWest ERJ pilots are based at 13 airports, including Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago O'Hare, Seattle and San Francisco. Austin was listed as a new ERJ base coming in June 2024.
- Atlanta, GA – ATL
- Austin, TX – AUS
- Boise, ID – BOI
- Chicago, IL – ORD
- Denver, CO – DEN
- Los Angeles, CA – LAX
- Houston, TX – IAH
- Milwaukee, WI – MKE
- Minneapolis, MN – MSP
- Portland, OR – PDX
- Phoenix, AZ – PHX
- Salt Lake City, UT – SLC
- San Diego, CA – SAN
- San Francisco, CA – SFO
- Seattle, WA – SEA
CRJ SkyWest Bases
SkyWest CRJ pilots are based at 15 airports, including Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas, Detroit, Denver and Salt Lake City. Several cities, such as Denver, Phoenix and Los Angeles, host both CRJ and ERJ bases.
- Chicago, IL – ORD
- Colorado Springs, CO – COS
- Dallas, TX – DFW
- Denver, CO – DEN
- Detroit, MI – DTW
- Fresno, CA – FAT
- Los Angeles, CA – LAX
- Houston, TX – IAH
- Milwaukee, WI – MKE
- Minneapolis, MN – MSP
- Palm Springs, CA – PSP
- Phoenix, AZ – PHX
- Salt Lake City, UT – SLC
- Tucson, AZ – TUS
- San Francisco, CA – SFO
What airplanes are in the SkyWest Fleet?
The SkyWest fleet includes over 500 aircraft, made up of several types of Bombardier and Embraer planes. The Bombardier models listed are the CRJ-200, CRJ-700 and CRJ-900.
The SkyWest fleet is made up of over 500 aircraft. This includes several types of Bombardier and Embraer planes.
- Bombardier CRJ-200
- Bombardier CRJ-700
- Bombardier CRJ-900
- Embraer ERJ-170
Learn more about commercial aircraft in our guide on how fast does a plane go.
What are the Hiring Requirements for SkyWest Pilots?
For SkyWest airlines pilots there are two sets of requirements, or minimum qualifications. There’s the regulatory requirements set by the FAA, TSA, DOT, and even FCC. Then there are the individual airline requirements for the job.
Regulatory Requirements:
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate
- Current First Class Medical Certificate
- Radiotelephone Operator’s Permit
- Secure Identification Display Area (SIDA) Badge eligibility
- Successful completion of pre-employment drug test
- Successful completion of Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) evaluation
- 1500 hours fixed wing flight time
SkyWest Air Lines Pilot Job Requirements:
- At least 21 years of age
- Have a current passport
- Be a U.S. Citizen or show proof of right to work in the U.S.
- English Proficiency Endorsement (EPE)
- Be at least instrument current
- Hod an FCC Radio License
- Possess a current first-class medical
- Hold a Commercial License
- Be willing to rescind seniority with current carrier
Ever wonder, how much do pilots make? Check out our salary guide for every airline.
How Do I Apply for a SkyWest Pilot Job?
If you meet all of the qualifications listed above you can visit the SkyWest website. SkyWest also offers a career path, SkyWest Pathway Program, for aspiring pilots to join their company as soon as possible.
In conclusion, understanding the SkyWest pilot salary and its components is essential for those considering a career with SkyWest Airlines. It’s a fantastic airline to work for and one of the strongest regional airlines in the country.
