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Engineering Test Pilot Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Engineering Test Pilot Manager in the United States is $194,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $93.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $215,979
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $180,300 to $205,600
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $167,645

Key Factors That Influence Engineering Test Pilot Manager Salaries

An Engineering Test Pilot Manager'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 Test Pilot Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Engineering Test Pilot Manager'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): $128,965
  • Engineering Senior Test Pilot (7+ years): $150,183
  • Lead Engineering Test Pilot (7-10 years): $169,745
  • Engineering Test Pilot Manager (10+ years): $194,155
  • Engineering Test Pilot Senior Manager (10+ years): $219,377
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Engineering Test Pilot4-7 years$128,965
Engineering Senior Test Pilot7+ years$150,183
Lead Engineering Test Pilot7-10 years$169,745
Engineering Test Pilot Manager10+ years$194,155
Engineering Test Pilot Senior Manager10+ years$219,377

How Do Engineering Test Pilot Manager 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 Test Pilot Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $215,000.
  • California: $214,200.
  • Massachusetts: $211,300.

Top Paying Cities for Engineering Test Pilot Managers

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: $244,900
  • San Francisco: $242,300
  • Oakland: $237,200

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.42% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • UAT (Mentioned in 3.05% Job Postings): User acceptance testing also called application testing or end-user testing, is a phase of software development in which the software is tested in the real world by its intended audience.
  • SQL (Mentioned in 1.69% Job Postings): Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS).
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.42%
UAT 3.05%
SQL 1.69%

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 Test Pilot Manager's salary.

  • Test Strategy: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • People Management: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Test Strategy $236,924
22%
People Management $236,924
22%
Initiative $233,040
20%

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

Engineering Test Pilot Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $217,365. While startup companies pay approximate $184,128.

Engineering Test Pilot Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $184,128
Growth Stage 51~500 $194,626
Established 501~5000 $209,910
Enterprise 5000+ $217,365

Engineering Test Pilot Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Engineering Test Pilot Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Engineering Test Pilot Manager positions in Aerospace & Defense or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Engineering Test Pilot Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Engineering Test Pilot Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$271,880$131.040%
MFG Durable$213,620$103.010%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Engineering Test Pilot Managers 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 Test Pilot Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $186,696 and $212,781).

Engineering Test Pilot Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Engineering Test Pilot Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 7.7%
High School 7.7%
Associates 61.5%
Bachelors 30.8%
Masters 61.5%
Doctorate 0.0%

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

Understanding how an Engineering Test Pilot Manager'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 October 01, 2026
$180,300
Average $194,200/year
$205,600
$15,025
Average $16,183/month
$17,133
$3,467
Average $3,735/week
$3,954
$87
Average $93/hour
$99
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $205,600 $17,133 $3,954 $99
Average $194,200 $16,183 $3,735 $93
25th Percentile $180,300 $15,025 $3,467 $87

Engineering Test Pilot Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Engineering Test Pilot Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Engineering Test Pilot Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $219,400 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Engineering Test Pilot Manager

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

Common company salaries for Engineering Test Pilot Manager

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

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FAQ about Engineering Test Pilot Manager

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Engineering Test Pilot Manager roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. Who is the most successful test pilot?

Captain Eric 'Winkle' Brown, a distinguished Royal Navy officer and test pilot, is renowned for holding world records for flying 478 different aircraft types and achieving the most aircraft carrier landings. His exceptional skills and contributions to aviation have set a high standard in the field. In the role of Engineering Test Pilot Manager, salaries range from $188,300 to $260,300, reflecting the expertise required in this profession.

3. What is the highest salary of testing engineer?

The highest salary that an Engineering Test Pilot Manager can earn is $260,300 per year. This reflects the top end of the salary range for this position, indicating significant earning potential in the field.

4. Do some pilots make 500k a year?

Salaries for Engineering Test Pilot Managers range from $188,300 to $260,300, with a mid-salary of $228,300. While some pilots in other sectors may earn over $500,000, the typical earnings for this specific role are significantly lower, reflecting the specialized nature of the position and industry standards.

5. 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 an Engineering Test Pilot Manager typically ranges from $188,300 to $260,300, with a mid-salary of $228,300, reflecting the expertise and qualifications required in this role.

6. How much are boeing test pilots paid?

Boeing Test Pilot Managers earn between $188,300 and $260,300 annually, with a median salary of $228,300. This reflects the specialized skills and responsibilities associated with the role, highlighting the competitive compensation in the aerospace industry.

7. Do test pilots make a lot of money?

Test pilots can earn a substantial income, especially in managerial roles. For an Engineering Test Pilot Manager, salaries range from $188,300 to $260,300, with a midpoint salary of $228,300. This indicates that experienced professionals in this field can indeed make a significant amount of money.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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