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Maintenance Test Pilot Salary in the United States

How much does a Maintenance Test Pilot make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Maintenance Test Pilot in the United States is $128,960 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $151,866
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $117,630 to $140,950
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $107,315
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Maintenance Test Pilot Salaries

A Maintenance 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 Maintenance Test Pilot Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Maintenance 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:

  • Maintenance 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
Maintenance 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
View as Graph

How Do Maintenance 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 Maintenance Test Pilots. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $142,780.
  • California: $142,240.
  • Massachusetts: $140,340.

Top Paying Cities for Maintenance 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: $162,650
  • San Francisco: $160,870
  • Oakland: $157,480

What Skills Can Increase a Maintenance 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%
See More Skills

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 a Maintenance 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 $162,490
26%
Computer Vision $158,621
23%
Test Engineering $148,304
15%
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Maintenance Test Pilot Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Maintenance Test Pilot salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $144,472. While startup companies pay approximate $122,259.

Maintenance Test Pilot Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $122,259
Growth Stage 51~500 $129,256
Established 501~5000 $139,524
Enterprise 5000+ $144,472

Maintenance Test Pilot Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Maintenance 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, Maintenance Test Pilot positions in Transportation or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Maintenance Test Pilot as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Maintenance Test Pilot

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$167,648$81.030%
Aerospace & Defense$141,856$68.010%

How Education impacts a Maintenance Test Pilot's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Maintenance 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 a Maintenance Test Pilot with a Bachelor's Degree is between $121,093 and $131,609).

Maintenance Test Pilot Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Maintenance 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%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Maintenance 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
$117,630
Average $128,960/year
$140,950
$9,803
Average $10,747/month
$11,746
$2,262
Average $2,480/week
$2,711
$57
Average $62/hour
$68
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $140,950 $11,746 $2,711 $68
Average $128,960 $10,747 $2,480 $62
25th Percentile $117,630 $9,803 $2,262 $57

Maintenance Test Pilot Salary Growth & Career Path

Maintenance Test Pilot

Next Role

Advancement

For a Maintenance 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 Maintenance Test Pilot

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

Common company salaries for Maintenance Test Pilot

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

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FAQ about Maintenance Test Pilot

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

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

2. What pilots make $200,000 a year?

The highest paying Maintenance Test Pilots earn between $132,650 and $168,390 annually, with a mid-salary of $148,280. While some commercial pilots at major airlines can average around $200,000, Maintenance Test Pilots typically earn less, with top salaries not reaching that threshold. Experience and specific roles can influence earnings significantly.

3. How much does the test pilot program cost?

The cost of the test pilot program varies significantly based on the specific course and requirements. For example, the EASA Bridging Course can range from $10,000 to $999,000, while the Technical Pilot Course for Maintenance Flight Test is approximately $24,720. Additionally, the average salary for a Maintenance Test Pilot ranges from $132,650 to $168,390, reflecting the investment in training.

4. How much does a maintenance Test Pilot make?

A Maintenance Test Pilot typically earns between $132,650 and $168,390 annually, with a mid-salary of $148,280. Factors such as location, education, and experience can influence these figures. Test pilots in California often receive the highest salaries in the field.

5. What does a maintenance test pilot do?

The Maintenance Test Pilot (AH-64 D/E) employs flight test techniques to conduct test flights, assessing aircraft performance and handling to ensure airworthiness after maintenance or modifications. The salary for this role ranges from $132,650 to $168,390, with a mid-point of $148,280, reflecting the expertise and responsibility involved in ensuring aircraft safety and functionality.

6. How long is test pilot school?

The Professional Course is the ultimate in flight test education. Graduates of this 50-week course are prepared to perform advanced flight tests. As a Maintenance Test Pilot, you can expect a salary ranging from $132,650 to $168,390, with a mid-range salary of $148,280, reflecting the expertise and skills required in this critical role.

7. How much do Lockheed test pilots make?

The salary range for a Maintenance Test Pilot is between $132,650 and $168,390 per year, with a mid-salary of $148,280. This reflects the base salary and does not include additional compensation.

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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