Student Aircraft Builders Salary

As of October 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at Student Aircraft Builders in the United States is $44. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $90,491. Salaries at Student Aircraft Builders typically range from $38 to $49 hourly, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.
How accurate does the salary look to you?

Is Student Aircraft Builders’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Student Aircraft Builders's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
LF Driscoll Co $49
+13.7%
Supported by LF Driscoll Co's high-margin contracts allowing higher overhead.
Cortez Inc $43
-1.0%
Confirms Cortez Inc is a direct competitor vying for the exact same talent pool.
Pdcpages $42
-2.6%
Reflects stabilized pricing equilibrium for commercial construction roles in this region.
Hy-Lang Electric California Inc $49
+13.3%
Reflects structural premiums typical of Hy-Lang Electric California Inc's large-cap national operations.
Construction Industry $58
+32.4%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Employee Reviews: Working at Student Aircraft Builders

Considering a career at Student Aircraft Builders? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
There are chances to travel and work on high-profile builds, which keeps things interesting. A stable company with consistent work and strong project management. Scheduling is tight and sometimes unrealistic. The company’s safety protocols are rigorous, and the culture promotes open communication, ensuring that every team member feels heard and valued.
The team communicates well, expectations are clear, and hard work never goes unnoticed. Everyone from engineers to tradespeople feels valued for their expertise. Overall, it’s a decent place to work. Team collaboration here is outstanding. Benefits are standard, and pay is competitive. Each project runs efficiently with excellent coordination among trades. The leadership is approachable, listens t...
Everyone knows what’s expected and delivers on time with quality craftsmanship and good communication. The variety of projects keeps the work interesting, and teamwork is genuinely emphasized. Recognition for hard work is frequent, which motivates me to continually improve. Contributing to projects that positively impact our communities and seeing the exceptional results of our collective hard wor...
Sustainability is embedded in our practices, reflecting the company’s commitment to responsible building. This makes it a place where people are proud to work and feel loyal to the construction team. Equipment is serviceable, and safety protocols are average.

Student Aircraft Builders Overview

Website
www.sab.ae.illinois.edu
Founded In
2013
Employees
100 - 200 employees
Industry
Construction
Headquarter Address
104 S Wright St Urbana Illinois IL 61801
Revenue
$10 Million - $50 Million
Phone Number
-
Social Media
About Student Aircraft Builders
Student Aircraft Builders (SAB) is a student-led organization that has been building airplanes since 2013. The organization was founded by students who, sharing a passion for aviation, decided to take on the challenge of building a full-sized airplane. Over the next year, these students were able to acquire all the resources necessary to start construction of a kit aircraft, the CH STOL Zenith 750

What Benefits Does Student Aircraft Builders Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Student Aircraft Builders offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
Work at Student Aircraft Builders?
Share your experience
How Much Should You Be Earning?

Get an estimated calculation of how much you should be earning and insight into your career options.

illustration

What Is the Cost of Living Near Champaign?

Understanding the cost of living near Champaign is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Student Aircraft Builders.
Champaign's Cost of Living Index is approximately 89.8 (10.2% less expensive than US average; 4.3% less than IL average). Central IL (Univ. of Illinois), housing affordable. MTD bus. When planning your budget based on a salary from Student Aircraft Builders, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $800 - $1,250+ A significant portion of Student Aircraft Builders salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $150 - $240 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $60 (MTD monthly pass, free for UofI) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $380 - $560 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $330 - $630+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $360 - $660+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,080 - $3,340+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Student Aircraft Builders

1. What is the estimated average total compensation at Student Aircraft Builders?

Salary.com estimates that the average total compensation package at Student Aircraft Builders, which can include base salary, potential bonuses, and benefits, is around $44 per hour . Total compensation provides a more holistic view of an employee's earnings.

2. How much does Student Aircraft Builders pay compared to LF Driscoll Co?

The average annual salary at Student Aircraft Builders is $90,491, or an hourly wage of $44, in comparison to LF Driscoll Co which pays $102,885 per year or $49 per hour.

3. What's the typical salary progression for an employee moving from an entry-level to a senior role at Student Aircraft Builders?

Salary progression from an entry-level to a senior role at Student Aircraft Builders can be significant, often involving several promotions and substantial pay increases. For example, an entry-level Analyst might see their salary potentially double or more as they progress to a Senior Manager or Director position over several years, assuming strong performance and development.

4. How can I determine if a salary offer from Student Aircraft Builders in Champaign is fair given the local cost of living?

To determine if a salary offer from Student Aircraft Builders in Champaign is fair, first compare the gross salary to our data for similar roles at Student Aircraft Builders and its competitors (see our similar company salaries section) . Then, critically, use our "Cost of Living Insights for Champaign" to understand its purchasing power.

5. Are promotions at Student Aircraft Builders usually accompanied by a significant salary increase?

Yes, promotions at Student Aircraft Builders are generally accompanied by a salary increase. The amount of the increase typically reflects the greater responsibilities, skills, and scope of the new role. The percentage increase can vary widely depending on the level of promotion and the company's compensation structure.