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Engineering Senior Test Pilot Salary in the United States

How much does an Engineering Senior Test Pilot make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Engineering Senior Test Pilot in the United States is $150,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.

However, an Engineering Senior Test Pilot's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $175,991
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $135,000 to $163,700
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $121,161

Key Factors That Influence Engineering Senior Test Pilot Salaries

An Engineering Senior Test Pilot's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Engineering Senior Test Pilot Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Engineering Senior Test Pilot's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Engineering Test Pilot (4-7 years): $128,952
  • Engineering Senior Test Pilot (7+ years): $150,170
  • Lead Engineering Test Pilot (7-10 years): $169,742
  • Engineering Test Pilot Manager (10+ years): $194,127
  • Engineering Test Pilot Senior Manager (10+ years): $219,340
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Engineering Test Pilot4-7 years$128,952
Engineering Senior Test Pilot7+ years$150,170
Lead Engineering Test Pilot7-10 years$169,742
Engineering Test Pilot Manager10+ years$194,127
Engineering Test Pilot Senior Manager10+ years$219,340

How Do Engineering Senior Test Pilot Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Engineering Senior Test Pilots. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $166,300.
  • California: $165,700.
  • Massachusetts: $163,500.

Top Paying Cities for Engineering Senior Test Pilots

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $189,500
  • San Francisco: $187,400
  • Oakland: $183,400

What Skills Can Increase an Engineering Senior Test Pilot's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 7.69% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Customer Training (Mentioned in 2.56% Job Postings): The process of educating your customers on how to successfully use your product or services in order to meet their goals.
  • Test Planning (Mentioned in 2.56% Job Postings): Test planning is an essential activity of testing, regardless of the project lifecycle approach.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 7.69%
Customer Training 2.56%
Test Planning 2.56%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Engineering Senior Test Pilot's salary.

  • Physiology: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Test Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Research and Development: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Physiology $183,244
22%
Test Planning $180,240
20%
Research and Development $178,738
19%

Engineering Senior Test Pilot Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Engineering Senior Test Pilot salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $168,266. While startup companies pay approximate $142,396.

Engineering Senior Test Pilot Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $142,396
Growth Stage 51~500 $150,545
Established 501~5000 $162,504
Enterprise 5000+ $168,266

Engineering Senior Test Pilot Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Engineering Senior Test Pilot roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Engineering Senior Test Pilot positions in Transportation or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Engineering Senior Test Pilot as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Engineering Senior Test Pilot

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$180,240$87.020%
Software & Networking$165,220$79.010%

How Education impacts an Engineering Senior Test Pilot's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Engineering Senior Test Pilots enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Engineering Senior Test Pilot with a Bachelor's Degree is between $132,791 and $143,176).

Engineering Senior Test Pilot Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Engineering Senior Test Pilot
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 25.0%
High School 62.5%
Associates 12.5%
Bachelors 25.0%
Masters 62.5%
Doctorate 12.5%

Engineering Senior Test Pilot Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Engineering Senior Test Pilot's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$135,000
Average $150,200/year
$163,700
$11,250
Average $12,517/month
$13,642
$2,596
Average $2,888/week
$3,148
$65
Average $72/hour
$79
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $163,700 $13,642 $3,148 $79
Average $150,200 $12,517 $2,888 $72
25th Percentile $135,000 $11,250 $2,596 $65

Engineering Senior Test Pilot Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Engineering Senior Test Pilot, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Lead Engineering Test Pilot role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $169,800 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Engineering Senior Test Pilot

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Engineering Senior Test Pilot

Here are companies hiring for Engineering Senior Test Pilot and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Engineering Senior Test Pilot

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Engineering Senior Test Pilot?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Engineering Senior Test Pilot roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How long does it take to become a senior captain pilot?

Becoming a senior test pilot typically takes 5-12 years of experience, with many starting as first officers. Overall, the journey from zero experience to a senior test pilot can span over 15 years. In terms of compensation, salaries for senior test pilots range from $168,200 to $220,600, with a median salary of $184,900.

3. How old is a senior pilot?

In the U.S., there are no FAA age limits for pilots, except for commercial airline pilots under 14 CFR Part 121, who must retire at 65. Senior Test Pilots typically earn between $168,200 and $220,600, with a median salary of $184,900. They may continue in other roles after reaching retirement age.

4. How much does a U.S. Test Pilot earn?

As of now, the salary for a Senior Test Pilot in the U.S. ranges from $168,200 to $220,600 annually, with a median salary of $184,900. This translates to approximately $80.85 to $106.25 per hour, or $3,200 to $4,200 per week. The monthly earnings range from about $14,016 to $18,417.

5. Are test pilots paid well?

Yes, test pilots are paid well. The salary data for Engineering Senior Test Pilots shows a minimum salary of $168,200, a mid-range salary of $184,900, and a maximum salary of $220,600. This indicates that test pilots earn significantly more than the average salary figures typically reported.

6. What degree do most test pilots have?

Most test pilot schools strongly encourage a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering or a related field with a strong mathematical and engineering emphasis. The salary for a Senior Test Pilot typically ranges from $168,200 to $220,600, with a median salary of around $184,900, reflecting the expertise and skills required in this demanding role.

7. Is it hard to become a test pilot?

Becoming a test pilot is challenging, requiring extensive flight experience and a strong educational background. Most candidates have thousands of flight hours and typically hold a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or aeronautical science, with many organizations favoring advanced degrees. The salary for a Senior Test Pilot ranges from $168,200 to $220,600, reflecting the expertise and skills required for the role.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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