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Engineering Test Pilot Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Engineering Test Pilot in the United States is $129,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $151,925
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $117,700 to $141,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $107,412

Key Factors That Influence Engineering Test Pilot Salaries

An Engineering 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 Test Pilot Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Engineering 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 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 Test Pilots. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $142,800.
  • California: $142,300.
  • Massachusetts: $140,400.

Top Paying Cities for Engineering 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: $162,700
  • San Francisco: $160,900
  • Oakland: $157,500

What Skills Can Increase an Engineering 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 Test Pilot's salary.

  • Field Testing: Can increase your salary by up to 26%.
  • Computer Vision: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Test Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Field Testing $162,540
26%
Computer Vision $158,670
23%
Test Engineering $148,350
15%

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

Engineering Test Pilot salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $144,516. While startup companies pay approximate $122,297.

Engineering Test Pilot Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $122,297
Growth Stage 51~500 $129,297
Established 501~5000 $139,568
Enterprise 5000+ $144,516

Engineering Test Pilot Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Engineering Test Pilot roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Engineering Test Pilot positions in Transportation or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Engineering Test Pilot as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Engineering Test Pilot

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$167,700$81.030%
Aerospace & Defense$141,900$68.010%

How Education impacts an Engineering Test Pilot's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Engineering 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 Test Pilot with a Bachelor's Degree is between $121,145 and $131,645).

Engineering Test Pilot Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Engineering Test Pilot
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 18.2%
High School 18.2%
Associates 72.7%
Bachelors 9.1%
Masters 72.7%
Doctorate 0.0%

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

Understanding how an Engineering 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
$117,700
Average $129,000/year
$141,000
$9,808
Average $10,750/month
$11,750
$2,263
Average $2,481/week
$2,712
$57
Average $62/hour
$68
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $141,000 $11,750 $2,712 $68
Average $129,000 $10,750 $2,481 $62
25th Percentile $117,700 $9,808 $2,263 $57

Engineering Test Pilot Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Engineering Test Pilot, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Engineering Senior Test Pilot role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $150,200 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Engineering Test Pilot

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

Common company salaries for Engineering Test Pilot

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

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FAQ about Engineering Test Pilot

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Engineering Test Pilot roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. How much does American Engineering Testing pay?

American Engineering Testing offers competitive salaries for Engineering Test Pilots, with a minimum salary of $132,700, a mid-range salary of $148,300, and a maximum salary of $168,400. This reflects the company's commitment to attracting skilled professionals in the engineering field.

3. Do test engineers make good money?

Test engineers can earn a competitive salary, especially in specialized roles like Engineering Test Pilot. The salary typically ranges from $132,700 to $168,400, with a mid-range salary of $148,300. This indicates that test engineers in this field can make significantly more than the average salary of $65,000 to $80,000 for general test engineering positions.

4. Do test pilots make a lot of money?

Test pilots can earn a substantial income, with salaries ranging from $132,700 to $168,400 per year. The average salary is approximately $148,300, reflecting the expertise and skills required for this role. Overall, test pilots are well-compensated for their specialized work in the aviation industry.

5. Is test pilot hard?

Becoming an engineering test pilot is indeed challenging. It demands extensive training, technical knowledge, and strong problem-solving skills. The role is competitive, with salaries ranging from $132,700 to $168,400, reflecting the high level of expertise required. Success in this field requires dedication and a passion for aviation.

6. Are test engineers in demand?

Test engineers are indeed in demand, driven by the rapid advancement of technology and product development. This growing need is reflected in the salary range for Engineering Test Pilots, which spans from $132,700 to $168,400, with a mid-salary of $148,300. As the industry evolves, the importance and compensation for test engineers continue to rise.

7. 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 aircraft types and achieving the most aircraft carrier landings. His exceptional skills and contributions to aviation have set a high standard in the field. Engineering test pilots can expect salaries ranging from $132,700 to $168,400, reflecting their expertise and experience.

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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