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Chief Pilot I Salary in the United States

How much does a Chief Pilot I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Pilot I in the United States is $171,020 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $82.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $207,607
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $156,588 to $190,171
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $143,448
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Chief Pilot I Salaries

A Chief Pilot I'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 Chief Pilot I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chief Pilot I'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:

  • Pilot II (4-7 years): $142,463
  • Pilot III (7+ years): $164,759
  • Pilot IV (7-10 years): $196,749
  • Chief Pilot I (10+ years): $171,020
  • Chief Pilot II (10+ years): $227,536
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Pilot II4-7 years$142,463
Pilot III7+ years$164,759
Pilot IV7-10 years$196,749
Chief Pilot I10+ years$171,020
Chief Pilot II10+ years$227,536
View as Graph

How Do Chief Pilot I 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 Chief Pilot Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $189,353.
  • California: $188,635.
  • Massachusetts: $186,121.

Top Paying Cities for Chief Pilot Is

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: $215,708
  • San Francisco: $213,346
  • Oakland: $208,850

What Skills Can Increase a Chief Pilot I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 22.91% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Avionics (Mentioned in 2.18% Job Postings): Avionics are the electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites, and spacecraft. Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems, and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to perform individual functions. These can be as simple as a searchlight for a police helicopter or as complicated as the tactical system for an airborne early warning platform. The term avionics is a portmanteau of the words aviation and electronics.
  • Regulatory Compliance (Mentioned in 1.29% Job Postings): Monitoring strict adherence of all organizational processes and procedures to applicable laws and regulations.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 22.91%
Avionics 2.18%
Regulatory Compliance 1.29%
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 Chief Pilot I's salary.

  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Patient Care: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Innovation $184,702
8%
Patient Care $184,702
8%
Regulatory Compliance $184,702
8%
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Chief Pilot I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chief Pilot I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $191,122. While startup companies pay approximate $161,670.

Chief Pilot I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $161,670
Growth Stage 51~500 $170,982
Established 501~5000 $184,553
Enterprise 5000+ $191,122

Chief Pilot I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chief Pilot I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Chief Pilot positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chief Pilot I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chief Pilot I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$239,428$115.040%
Insurance$230,877$111.035%
Software & Networking$222,326$107.030%
Internet$213,775$103.025%
Energy & Utilities$205,224$99.020%

How Education impacts a Chief Pilot I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chief Pilot I enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Chief Pilot I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $189,234 and $202,098.

Chief Pilot I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chief Pilot I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 14.7%
Associates 10.3%
Bachelors 53.8%
Masters 19.0%
Doctorate 1.6%
View as Graph

Chief Pilot I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chief Pilot I'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
$156,588
Average $171,020/year
$190,171
$13,049
Average $14,252/month
$15,848
$3,011
Average $3,289/week
$3,657
$75
Average $82/hour
$91
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $190,171 $15,848 $3,657 $91
Average $171,020 $14,252 $3,289 $82
25th Percentile $156,588 $13,049 $3,011 $75

Chief Pilot I Salary Growth & Career Path

Chief Pilot I

Next Role

For a Chief Pilot I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Chief Pilot II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $227,536 - a projected growth of 33% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Chief Pilot I

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

Common company salaries for Chief Pilot I

Here are companies hiring for Chief Pilot I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Chief Pilot I

1. Where can a Chief Pilot I earn the most?

A Chief Pilot I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Chief Pilot I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chief Pilot I is $215,708.

2. What is the highest pay for Chief Pilot I?

The highest pay for Chief Pilot I is $207,607.

3. What is the lowest pay for Chief Pilot I?

The lowest pay for Chief Pilot I is $143,448.

4. What are the responsibilities of Chief Pilot I?

Provides leadership and management of pilots, schedules, and records to maintain efficient and safe flight operations, comply with all FAA regulations, and deliver operational performance on company goals. Maintains the required FAA records and documentation for certifications, crews, flight times, aircraft, and activity. Keeps informed about current aviation developments and regulations that impact flight operations. Coordinates pilot training and development plans to ensure all are ready for flight duty. Uses the Safety Management System (SMS) to identify, mitigate, and manage risk in operations. May require a bachelor's degree. Requires Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate. Requires FAA Commercial Pilot's License. Typically reports to a director or head of a unit/department. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Chief Pilot I?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Chief Pilot I roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

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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