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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Engineering Test Pilot in California is $187,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $90.
However, a Lead Engineering Test Pilot's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lead Engineering Test Pilot Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $201,800 | $16,817 | $3,881 | $97 |
| Average | $187,300 | $15,608 | $3,602 | $90 |
| 25th Percentile | $171,600 | $14,300 | $3,300 | $83 |
Robinson Helicopter Co - Torrance, CA
Relativity Space - Long Beach, CA
Wisk - Hollister, CA
Wisk Aero LLC - Hollister, CA
A Lead 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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lead 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Test Pilot | 4-7 years | $142,220 |
| Engineering Senior Test Pilot | 7+ years | $165,623 |
| Lead Engineering Test Pilot | 7-10 years | $187,222 |
| Engineering Test Pilot Manager | 10+ years | $214,092 |
| Engineering Test Pilot Senior Manager | 10+ years | $241,890 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Lead Engineering Test Pilots. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Lead 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 $210,299. While startup companies pay approximate $177,951.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $177,951 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $188,154 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $203,095 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $210,299 |
For Lead Engineering Test Pilot roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Lead Engineering Test Pilot positions in Transportation or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Engineering Test Pilot as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $280,950 | $135.0 | 50% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $224,760 | $108.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Lead 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $201,800 | $16,817 | $3,881 | $97 |
| Average | $187,300 | $15,608 | $3,602 | $90 |
| 25th Percentile | $171,600 | $14,300 | $3,300 | $83 |
For a Lead Engineering Test Pilot, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Engineering Test Pilot Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $214,100 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Engineering Test Pilot job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Joby Aviation
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Joby Aviation | East Garrison, CA
Joby Aviation in East Garrison, California, is looking for a passionate Test Pilot to join our flight test team. The role involves planning and executing f... more
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In a fast moving and increasingly complex world, L3Harris is anticipating and rapidly responding to challenges with agile technology – creating a safer and... more
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L3Harris Technologies
BAILEY, TX
L3Harris Technologies | BAILEY, TX
We are seeking an experienced Lead Systems Engineer (LSE) to serve as the senior technical authority responsible for leading systems engineering execution ... more
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L3Harris Technologies
FARMERSVILLE, TX
L3Harris Technologies | FARMERSVILLE, TX
We are seeking an experienced Lead Systems Engineer (LSE) to serve as the senior technical authority responsible for leading systems engineering execution ... more
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L3Harris Technologies
CEDARVILLE, IN
L3Harris Technologies | CEDARVILLE, IN
Responsible for full lifecycle Project Engineering support for a range of software and hardware development, assembly, and integration and test efforts. Es... more
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L3Harris Technologies
OSSIAN, IN
L3Harris Technologies | OSSIAN, IN
In a fast moving and increasingly complex world, L3Harris is anticipating and rapidly responding to challenges with agile technology – creating a safer and... more
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