What are the main factors that influence a Lead Engineering Test Pilot's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Lead Engineering Test Pilot?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Lead Engineering Test Pilot roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

How does experience change A Lead Engineering Test Pilot's salary?

A Lead Engineering Test Pilot's salary grows with experience: an Engineering Test Pilot (4-7 years)earns $130,577, an Engineering Senior Test Pilot (7+ years)earns $152,064, a Lead Engineering Test Pilot (7-10 years)earns $171,895, an Engineering Test Pilot Manager (10+ years)earns $196,565, an Engineering Test Pilot Senior Manager (10+ years)earns $222,087,

What are the highest paying states for a Lead Engineering Test Pilot?

Lead Engineering Test Pilot salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Lead Engineering Test Pilot roles are District of Columbia $188,000, California $187,300, Massachusetts $184,800. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Lead Engineering Test Pilot roles make?

Salaries for Lead Engineering Test Pilot level roles vary by specialization: Engineering Test Pilot Senior Manager: $219,400; Test Pilot Senior Manager: $219,302; Engineering Test Pilot Manager: $194,100; Test Pilot Manager: $194,100; Lead Maintenance Test Pilot: $169,740.

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Lead Engineering Test Pilot Salary in Delaware

How much does a Lead Engineering Test Pilot make in Delaware?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Engineering Test Pilot in Delaware is $171,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $83.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $197,500
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $157,500 to $185,300
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $144,390

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Lead Engineering Test Pilot Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$185,300	$15,442	$3,563	$89
Average	$171,900	$14,325	$3,306	$83
25th Percentile	$157,500	$13,125	$3,029	$76

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Key Factors That Influence Lead Engineering Test Pilot Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Lead Engineering Test Pilot Salaries?

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:

Engineering Test Pilot (4-7 years): $130,577
Engineering Senior Test Pilot (7+ years): $152,064
Lead Engineering Test Pilot (7-10 years): $171,895
Engineering Test Pilot Manager (10+ years): $196,565
Engineering Test Pilot Senior Manager (10+ years): $222,087

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Engineering Test Pilot	4-7 years	$130,577
Engineering Senior Test Pilot	7+ years	$152,064
Lead Engineering Test Pilot	7-10 years	$171,895
Engineering Test Pilot Manager	10+ years	$196,565
Engineering Test Pilot Senior Manager	10+ years	$222,087

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Lead 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 Lead Engineering Test Pilots. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $188,000.
California: $187,300.
Massachusetts: $184,800.

District of Columbia $188,000 California $187,300 Massachusetts $184,800 Washington $184,100 New Jersey $184,000 Alaska $183,800 Connecticut $181,500 New York $180,500

Hawaii $177,500 Rhode Island $176,000 Maryland $175,100 Minnesota $173,700 Colorado $173,200 Illinois $173,100 Oregon $172,400 Delaware $171,900

New Hampshire $171,600 Virginia $171,000 Pennsylvania $169,000 Nevada $168,000 North Dakota $167,700 Michigan $167,200 Wisconsin $167,000 Vermont $166,600

Texas $165,600 Maine $165,500 Arizona $165,400 Ohio $165,300 Georgia $163,800 Indiana $163,000 Wyoming $162,800 Utah $162,600

Iowa $162,500 Kansas $161,700 Louisiana $161,400 North Carolina $161,400 Missouri $161,300 Florida $160,700 Montana $160,300 Nebraska $160,000

Kentucky $159,800 South Carolina $159,100 Tennessee $158,700 Idaho $158,500 New Mexico $157,300 Oklahoma $157,000 Alabama $156,000 South Dakota $154,300

Arkansas $153,400 West Virginia $152,900 Mississippi $151,400

Top Paying Cities for Lead 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:

Lincoln: $171,200
Little Creek: $172,400
Magnolia: $172,200

Lincoln, DE $171,200 Little Creek, DE $172,400 Magnolia, DE $172,200 Milford, DE $171,600 Marydel, DE $171,900 Millsboro, DE $170,500 Millville, DE $170,700 Milton, DE $171,000

Nassau, DE $171,100 Ocean View, DE $170,700 Rehoboth Beach, DE $171,000 Seaford, DE $171,100 Selbyville, DE $170,400 Smyrna, DE $172,500 Viola, DE $171,700 Woodside, DE $172,200

Bear, DE $171,800 Newark, DE $171,700 Claymont, DE $172,100 Delaware City, DE $171,900 Hockessin, DE $171,700 Kirkwood, DE $171,900 Middletown, DE $172,000 Montchanin, DE $171,800

New Castle, DE $171,800 Odessa, DE $172,000 Port Penn, DE $172,200 Rockland, DE $171,800 Saint Georges, DE $171,900 Townsend, DE $172,200 Winterthur, DE $171,800 Lewes, DE $171,100

Wilmington, DE $171,700 Dover, DE $172,400 Dover Afb, DE $171,500 Bethany Beach, DE $170,500 Bethel, DE $170,700 Bridgeville, DE $171,100 Camden Wyoming, DE $171,900 Cheswold, DE $172,400

Clayton, DE $172,400 Dagsboro, DE $170,400 Delmar, DE $170,100 Ellendale, DE $170,600 Felton, DE $171,600 Fenwick Island, DE $170,400 Frankford, DE $170,100 Frederica, DE $171,800

Georgetown, DE $170,300 Greenwood, DE $171,100 Harbeson, DE $170,500 Harrington, DE $171,400 Hartly, DE $171,900 Houston, DE $171,100 Kenton, DE $172,400 Laurel, DE $170,200

Yorklyn, DE $171,800

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

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 $193,008. While startup companies pay approximate $163,320.

Lead Engineering Test Pilot Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$163,320
Growth Stage	51~500	$172,684
Established	501~5000	$186,397
Enterprise	5000+	$193,008

Lead Engineering Test Pilot Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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.

The top paying industries for a Lead Engineering Test Pilot

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking	$257,850	$124.0	50%
Aerospace & Defense	$206,280	$99.0	20%

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

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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

$157,500

Average $171,900/year

$185,300

$13,125

Average $14,325/month

$15,442

$3,029

Average $3,306/week

$3,563

$76

Average $83/hour

$89

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$185,300	$15,442	$3,563	$89
Average	$171,900	$14,325	$3,306	$83
25th Percentile	$157,500	$13,125	$3,029	$76

Lead Engineering Test Pilot Salary Growth & Career Path

Lead Engineering Test Pilot

Engineering Test Pilot Manager

Engineering Test Pilot Senior Manager

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 $196,600 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

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