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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Pilot II in the United States is $227,536 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $109.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $268,700
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $226,479 to $249,083
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $225,517

Key Factors That Influence Chief Pilot II Salaries

A Chief Pilot II'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 II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chief Pilot II'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

Top Paying Cities for Chief Pilot IIs

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: $286,991
  • San Francisco: $283,849
  • Oakland: $277,867

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 9.33% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Avionics (Mentioned in 1.62% 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.
  • Record Keeping (Mentioned in 0.38% Job Postings): Maintaining financial records and transactions of an organization to track all of the financial statements and auditing systems.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 9.33%
Avionics 1.62%
Record Keeping 0.38%

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 II's salary.

  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Preventative Maintenance: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Training Operations: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Verbal Communication $270,768
19%
Preventative Maintenance $257,116
13%
Training Operations $252,565
11%

Chief Pilot II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chief Pilot II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $254,281. While startup companies pay approximate $215,096.

Chief Pilot II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $215,096
Growth Stage 51~500 $227,485
Established 501~5000 $245,541
Enterprise 5000+ $254,281

Chief Pilot II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chief Pilot II 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 Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Chief Pilot positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chief Pilot II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chief Pilot II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$318,550$153.040%
Biotechnology$295,797$142.030%
Pharmaceuticals$284,420$137.025%

How Education impacts a Chief Pilot II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chief Pilot II 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 II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $217,405 and $233,624.

Chief Pilot II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chief Pilot II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 23.7%
High School 23.7%
Associates 2.6%
Bachelors 60.5%
Masters 13.2%
Doctorate 0.0%

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

Understanding how a Chief Pilot II'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
$226,479
Average $227,536/year
$249,083
$18,873
Average $18,961/month
$20,757
$4,355
Average $4,376/week
$4,790
$109
Average $109/hour
$120
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $249,083 $20,757 $4,790 $120
Average $227,536 $18,961 $4,376 $109
25th Percentile $226,479 $18,873 $4,355 $109

Most common benefits for Chief Pilot II

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

Common company salaries for Chief Pilot II

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

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FAQ about Chief Pilot II

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

A Chief Pilot II'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 II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chief Pilot II is $286,991.

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

The highest pay for Chief Pilot II is $268,700.

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

The lowest pay for Chief Pilot II is $225,517.

4. What are the responsibilities of Chief Pilot II?

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. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Chief Pilot II 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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