As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Maintenance Test Pilot Manager in the United States is $194,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $93.
However, a Maintenance Test Pilot Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
Smart Recruiting
A Maintenance 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Maintenance 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Test Pilot | 4-7 years | $128,939 |
| Engineering Senior Test Pilot | 7+ years | $150,157 |
| Lead Engineering Test Pilot | 7-10 years | $169,739 |
| Maintenance Test Pilot Manager | 10+ years | $194,100 |
| Engineering Test Pilot Senior Manager | 10+ years | $219,302 |
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 Maintenance Test Pilot Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 5.42% |
| UAT | 3.05% |
| SQL | 1.69% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Test Strategy
|
$236,802 |
22%
|
|
People Management
|
$236,802 |
22%
|
|
Initiative
|
$232,920 |
20%
|
|
Test Execution
|
$227,097 |
17%
|
|
Scheduling
|
$225,156 |
16%
|
|
Test Planning
|
$219,333 |
13%
|
Maintenance 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 $217,934. While startup companies pay approximate $184,412.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $184,412 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $194,985 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $210,469 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $217,934 |
For Maintenance 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, Maintenance Test Pilot Manager positions in Aerospace & Defense or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Maintenance Test Pilot Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $271,740 | $131.0 | 40% |
| MFG Durable | $213,510 | $103.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Maintenance 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 a Maintenance Test Pilot Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $186,623 and $212,718).
Maintenance Test Pilot Manager Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
Understanding how a Maintenance 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 August 01, 2026For a Maintenance 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.
Salaries for a Maintenance Test Pilot Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $148,731 in 2023 to around $137,773 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Maintenance Test Pilot Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $148,731 |
| 2024 | $141,696 |
| 2025 | $137,773 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Maintenance Test Pilot Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Maintenance Test Pilot Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Maintenance Test Pilot Manager roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.
The maximum salary for a Maintenance Test Pilot Manager is $260,230. In comparison, pilots in general earned a median salary of $219,140 in 2023, with the top 25% earning $239,200 and the bottom 25% making $142,770. The salary range for this specific role reflects its specialized nature and responsibilities.
Aviation maintenance salaries in the USA vary significantly. For a Maintenance Test Pilot Manager, the salary ranges from a minimum of $188,240 to a maximum of $260,230, with a mid-range salary of $228,230. In comparison, aircraft mechanics earn an average of $67,131 annually, with top earners making around $86,500.
Test pilots are generally well-compensated, especially in managerial roles. For a Maintenance Test Pilot Manager, salaries range from a minimum of $188,240 to a maximum of $260,230, with a mid-salary of $228,230. This reflects the specialized skills and responsibilities associated with the position, indicating a strong earning potential in the field.
Yes, aviation mechanics can make six figures. For instance, a Maintenance Test Pilot Manager earns between $188,240 and $260,230 annually, with a mid-salary of $228,230. With trade school and several years of experience, mechanics can access lucrative positions in the aviation industry.
Manager pilots, specifically Maintenance Test Pilot Managers, earn between $188,240 and $260,230 annually, with a median salary of $228,230. This range reflects the specialized skills and responsibilities associated with the role, which can vary significantly based on location and experience.
Manager pilots, specifically Maintenance Test Pilot Managers, earn between $188,240 and $260,230 annually, with a median salary of $228,230. This range reflects the specialized skills and responsibilities associated with the role, which can vary significantly based on location and experience.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
