Pilot Light Salary

As of August 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Pilot Light in the United States is $89,426. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $43. Salaries at Pilot Light typically range from $78,202 to $102,331 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.
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Current Job Openings at Pilot Light

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Is Pilot Light’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Pilot Light'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
Access 2 Independence $80,544
-9.9%
Normalized for lower cost-of-living zones where Access 2 Independence primarily operates.
Youth Outlook $88,782
-0.7%
Suggests Youth Outlook utilizes a highly similar base-plus-benefits compensation model.
American Orff-Schulwerk Association $85,428
-4.5%
Typical compensation structure for smaller regional agencies like American Orff-Schulwerk Association.
Woodinville Alliance Church $92,675
+3.6%
Reflects a supply-demand imbalance for the specific talent Woodinville Alliance Church targets.
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit Industry $115,341
+29.0%
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 Pilot Light

Considering a career at Pilot Light? 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.
Leadership encourages transparency and fosters a collaborative environment where diverse voices are heard. Management is approachable but highly procedural. While the pace is steady, it allows time to focus on quality work. Employee development is a key focus, with extensive training programs and mentorship opportunities available. Fair compensation and transparent processes.
Leadership is transparent about goals, and coworkers offer support when needed. I appreciate the regular hours and generous paid leave policies. Seeing students thrive because of our collective efforts makes every challenge worthwhile.
Team members are supportive and dedicated, making every project enjoyable and rewarding. The meaningful public service work instills pride and purpose in daily responsibilities. Employee input directly influences policies and work processes. Opportunities for training and internal mobility are available.

Pilot Light Overview

Website
www.pilotlightchefs.org
Founded In
2010
Employees
<25 employees
Industry
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
Headquarter Address
1516 W Carroll Ave Chicago Illinois IL 60607
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
+1 3129520117
Social Media
About Pilot Light
Pilot Light is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that helps kids make healthier choices by connecting the lessons they learn in the classroom to the foods they eat on their lunch trays, at home, and in their communities. Founded in 2010 by chefs Jason Hammel, Paul Kahan, and Matthias Merges, Pilot Light accomplishes its mission by partnering chefs and teachers to make learning about food in s

What Benefits Does Pilot Light Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Pilot Light 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)
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What Is the Cost of Living Near Chicago?

Understanding the cost of living near Chicago is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Pilot Light.
Chicago's Cost of Living Index is approximately 106.9 (6.9% more expensive than US average; 14.0% more than IL average). Major US city, housing varies greatly by neighborhood but can be high, extensive CTA transit. When planning your budget based on a salary from Pilot Light, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $1,700 - $2,600+ A significant portion of Pilot Light salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $140 - $230 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $105 (CTA 30-day pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $430 - $640 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $450 - $800+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $400 - $750+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $3,225 - $5,025+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Pilot Light

1. How much does Pilot Light in the United States pay?

Pilot Light pays its employees an average of $89,426 per year. The average salary at Pilot Light range from $78,202 to $102,331 per year. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills and location.

2. Do Pilot Light employees get a higher salary than its peer company?

The salary at Pilot Light is higher than its peer company. The average annual salary at Pilot Light is $89,426, or an hourly wage of $43, in comparison to Access 2 Independence which pays $80,544 per year or $39 per hour.

3. What are the highest paying jobs at Pilot Light?

The higher-paying job at Pilot Light, according to our data, include President (avg. $692,235 per year), Executive Director (avg. $163,406 per year), and Manager, Partnerships (avg. $115,617 per year). Pay for these roles reflects significant responsibility, specialized skills and experience.

4. How much does salary increase with years of experience at Pilot Light?

Salary progression with years of experience at Pilot Light is typical. Generally, as employees gain more relevant experience, develop more skills, and take on greater responsibilities, their earning potential increases. For example, a role with 5-7 years of experience will usually pay more than the same role requiring 0-2 years.

5. Do salaries at Pilot Light vary by office location?

Yes, it's very likely that salaries at Pilot Light vary by office location. Companies often adjust pay based on local market rates, cost of living, and talent competition in different geographic areas. For instance, a role in a high-cost city like New York City may offer a higher nominal salary than the same role in a lower-cost city like Omaha, NE. Our Cost of Living Insights for Chicago section provides more context.

6. Does Pilot Light offer good benefits?

Pilot Light typically offers a comprehensive benefits package that adds significant value to an employee's total compensation. Common benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan often with a company match, paid time off. For example, a strong 401(k) match or excellent, low-cost health insurance can be worth thousands of dollars annually, effectively increasing your overall earnings beyond your base salary. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Pilot Light" section on this page.