As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Flight Inspector IV in the United States is $103,423 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.
However, a Flight Inspector IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Flight Inspector IV'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 Flight Inspector IV'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Inspector II | 1-3 years | $78,136 |
| Flight Inspector III | 3-5 years | $87,984 |
| Flight Inspector IV | 5-7 years | $103,423 |
| Flight Inspection Manager | 7+ years | $140,085 |
| Flight Inspection Senior Manager | 7+ years | $172,967 |
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 Flight Inspector IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 6.76% |
| Quality Assurance | 4.97% |
| Microsoft Office | 0.99% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Standard Operating Procedures
|
$124,108 |
20%
|
|
Installation
|
$112,731 |
9%
|
|
Quality Assurance
|
$112,731 |
9%
|
|
Pneumatics
|
$112,731 |
9%
|
|
Verbal Communication
|
$112,731 |
9%
|
|
Leadership
|
$110,663 |
7%
|
Flight Inspector IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $115,938. While startup companies pay approximate $98,086.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $98,086 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $103,710 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $111,970 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $115,938 |
For Flight Inspector IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Flight Inspector positions in Aerospace & Defense or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Flight Inspector IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $155,134 | $75.0 | 50% |
| MFG Durable | $124,108 | $60.0 | 20% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Flight Inspector IVs enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Flight Inspector IV with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $97,406 and $102,586).
Flight Inspector IV Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 33.3% |
| High School | 33.3% |
| Associates | 33.3% |
| Bachelors | 0.0% |
| Masters | 0.0% |
| Doctorate | 33.3% |
Understanding how a Flight Inspector IV'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 July 01, 2026For a Flight Inspector IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Flight Inspection Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $140,085 - a projected growth of 35% over your current level.
Salaries for a Flight Inspector IV can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $69,943 in 2023 to around $67,512 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Flight Inspector IV salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $69,943 |
| 2024 | $69,104 |
| 2025 | $67,512 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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A Flight Inspector IV'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 IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Flight Inspector IV is $130,447.
The highest pay for Flight Inspector IV is $115,470.
The lowest pay for Flight Inspector IV is $86,900.
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. Independently performs a wide range of complex duties under general guidance from supervisors. Has gained full proficiency in a broad range of activities related to the job. Typically requires 5-7 years of related experience.
The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Flight Inspector IV roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.
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.)
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