The Pilot-Independent Salary

As of May 2026, the average annual salary for employees at The Pilot-Independent in the United States is $83,835. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $40. Salaries at The Pilot-Independent typically range from $73,766 to $94,747 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does The Pilot-Independent Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at The Pilot-Independent. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Circulation Manager, with an annual salary of $91,061. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for most popular roles within the company.
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Current Job Openings at The Pilot-Independent

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at The Pilot-Independent. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is The Pilot-Independent’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does The Pilot-Independent'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
Gazette 20 $89,816
+7.1%
Supported by Gazette 20's high-margin contracts allowing higher overhead.
Western City Magazine $97,010
+15.7%
Driven by niche technical certifications required for Western City Magazine's specialized projects.
JC Publishing $92,727
+10.6%
Influenced by prevailing union wage agreements specific to JC Publishing's sector.
Tallahassee Family Magazine $81,747
-2.5%
Aligns perfectly with prevailing regional benchmarks for this specific job family.
Media Industry $125,523
+49.7%
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 The Pilot-Independent

Considering a career at The Pilot-Independent? 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.
Management is polite to implement changes suggested by employees. Personal development is actively supported. Many learning opportunities, depending on your team. The room is always buzzing with creativity, and everyone’s input is genuinely respected and considered.
The company understands that investing in modern resources allows us to be more creative and efficient. The team is professional and organized, but the culture lacks vibrancy. This media company fosters a highly creative and collaborative environment where innovation is celebrated. Communication is often formal and inconsistent between departments. The company values diversity and truly listens to...
This welcome freedom allows for autonomous work, fosters a strong sense of personal ownership over projects, and nurtures innovative thinking within the teams. Advancement is possible and stable workplace more suited to those valuing security than rapid change. Talented colleagues make collaboration effortless.

The Pilot-Independent Overview

Website
www.walkermn.com
Founded In
1926
Employees
<25 employees
Industry
Media
Headquarter Address
PO Box 190 Walker Minnesota MN 56484
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
+1 2185471000
Social Media
About The Pilot-Independent
walkermn.com | Pilot Independent | News, Sports, Obituaries, Classifieds in Walker, MN and Leech Lake area

What Benefits Does The Pilot-Independent Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. The Pilot-Independent 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 Minneapolis?

Understanding the cost of living near Minneapolis is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at The Pilot-Independent.
Minneapolis' Cost of Living Index is approximately 104.8 (4.8% more expensive than US average; 7.9% more than MN average). Major city, vibrant, housing costs above US avg, cold winters (high heating). Metro Transit. When planning your budget based on a salary from The Pilot-Independent, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $1,400 - $2,100+ A significant portion of The Pilot-Independent salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $130 - $230 (Heating significant) Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $120 (Metro Transit monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $430 - $630 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $450 - $800+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $390 - $720+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,920 - $4,480+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of The Pilot-Independent

1. How much does a The Pilot-Independent employee make?

The Pilot-Independent pays its employees an average of $83,835 per year. The average salary at The Pilot-Independent range from $73,766 to $94,747 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. Which similar company tend to pay more or less than The Pilot-Independent?

The salary at The Pilot-Independent is lesser than the similar company. The average annual salary at The Pilot-Independent is $83,835, or an hourly wage of $40, in comparison to Gazette 20 which pays $89,816 per year or $43 per hour.

3. How much does a Circulation Manager typically earn at The Pilot-Independent?

A Circulation Manager at The Pilot-Independent typically earns an average annual base salary of around $91,061, with a general range of $80,676 to $104,053.

4. Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at The Pilot-Independent?

In many roles at The Pilot-Independent, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.

5. How does the cost of living near Minneapolis affect the perceived value of a The Pilot-Independent salary?

Minneapolis' Cost of Living Index is approximately 104.8 (4.8% more expensive than US average; 7.9% more than MN average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from The Pilot-Independent based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Minneapolis" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.

6. What kind of benefits does The Pilot-Independent typically offer employees?

The Pilot-Independent generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at The Pilot-Independent" section on this page.