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Flight Inspector III Salary in the United States

How much does a Flight Inspector III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Flight Inspector III in the United States is $88,002 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

However, a Flight Inspector III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $111,105
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $81,453 to $100,095
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $75,490
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Flight Inspector III Salaries

A Flight Inspector III'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 Flight Inspector III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Flight Inspector III'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:

  • Flight Inspector II (1-3 years): $78,148
  • Flight Inspector III (3-5 years): $88,002
  • Flight Inspector IV (5-7 years): $103,444
  • Flight Inspection Manager (7+ years): $140,119
  • Flight Inspection Senior Manager (7+ years): $172,969
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Flight Inspector II1-3 years$78,148
Flight Inspector III3-5 years$88,002
Flight Inspector IV5-7 years$103,444
Flight Inspection Manager7+ years$140,119
Flight Inspection Senior Manager7+ years$172,969
View as Graph

How Do Flight Inspector IIIs 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 Flight Inspector IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $97,436.
  • California: $97,066.
  • Massachusetts: $95,773.

Top Paying Cities for Flight Inspector III

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: $110,997
  • San Francisco: $109,782
  • Oakland: $107,468

What Skills Can Increase a Flight Inspector III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 8.79% 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.
  • Aviation (Mentioned in 4.13% Job Postings): Aviation is the activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. Aircraft includes fixed-wing and rotary-wing types, morphable wings, wing-less lifting bodies, as well as lighter-than-air craft such as hot air balloons and airships.
  • Hydraulics (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 8.79%
Aviation 4.13%
Hydraulics 1.03%
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 Flight Inspector III's salary.

  • System Maintenance: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Customer Service: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
System Maintenance $102,962
17%
Project Management $98,562
12%
Customer Service $95,922
9%
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Flight Inspector III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Flight Inspector III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $98,808. While startup companies pay approximate $83,610.

Flight Inspector III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $83,610
Growth Stage 51~500 $88,403
Established 501~5000 $95,423
Enterprise 5000+ $98,808

Flight Inspector III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Flight Inspector III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Flight Inspector positions in Transportation or Aerospace & Defense typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Flight Inspector III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Flight Inspector III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$110,002$53.025%
MFG Durable$96,802$47.010%

How Education impacts an Flight Inspector III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Flight Inspector III 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 Flight Inspector III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $86,054 and $90,473.

Flight Inspector III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Flight Inspector III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 25.0%
High School 25.0%
Associates 25.0%
Bachelors 25.0%
Masters 25.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Flight Inspector III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Flight Inspector III'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
$81,453
Average $88,002/year
$100,095
$6,788
Average $7,334/month
$8,341
$1,566
Average $1,692/week
$1,925
$39
Average $42/hour
$48
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $100,095 $8,341 $1,925 $48
Average $88,002 $7,334 $1,692 $42
25th Percentile $81,453 $6,788 $1,566 $39

Flight Inspector III Salary Growth & Career Path

Flight Inspector III

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Advancement

For a Flight Inspector III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Flight Inspector IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $103,444 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Flight Inspector III

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

Common company salaries for Flight Inspector III

Here are companies hiring for Flight Inspector III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Flight Inspector III

1. Where can a Flight Inspector III earn the most?

A Flight Inspector III'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 Flight Inspector III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Flight Inspector III is $110,997.

2. What is the highest pay for Flight Inspector III?

The highest pay for Flight Inspector III is $111,105.

3. What is the lowest pay for Flight Inspector III?

The lowest pay for Flight Inspector III is $75,490.

4. What are the responsibilities of Flight Inspector III?

Inspects aircraft parts, systems, and equipment to ensure compliance with all safety and regulatory standards and requirements. Oversees part installation and inspects adjustments or modifications to existing parts. Documents and records inspection details and ensures violations are communicated and resolved. Maintains historical records of inspections for regulatory compliance. Performs routine preflight and post-flight inspections identifying any breach of standards for safe flight. Requires a high school diploma. Requires Flight Inspector License. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Flight Inspector III?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Flight Inspector III roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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