Flight Instructor Salary in the United States

How much does a Flight Instructor make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Flight Instructor in the United States is $117,370 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $145,588
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $107,905 to $132,140
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $99,287
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View as table View as graph 25% $107,905 10% $99,287 90% $145,588 75% $132,140 $117,370 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Flight Instructor Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $132,140 $11,012 $2,541 $64
Average $117,370 $9,781 $2,257 $56
25th Percentile $107,905 $8,992 $2,075 $52
Check out Flight Instructor Job Openings in the United States
Instructor Simulator Flight

Valiant Integrated Services - SAN DIEGO, CA

AIRCRAFT FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR

Department of the Army - GARY, IN

AIRPLANE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR

Department of the Air Force - MARCH, CA

SUPERVISORY AIRPLANE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR

Department of Defense - DOVER AFB, DE

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Key Factors That Influence Flight Instructor Salaries

A Flight Instructor's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Flight Instructors

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: $148,038
  • San Francisco: $146,583
  • Oakland: $143,332

What Skills Can Increase a Flight Instructor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 9.22% 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.
  • Aircraft Maintenance (Mentioned in 1.57% Job Postings): Aircraft maintenance is the performance of tasks required to ensure the continuing airworthiness of an aircraft or aircraft part, including overhaul, inspection, replacement, defect rectification, and the embodiment of modifications, compliance with airworthiness directives and repair.
  • Human Relations (Mentioned in 0.78% Job Postings): Human relations is the study of the relationships between groups of people in an organization or business, or a system used for improving these relationships.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 9.22%
Aircraft Maintenance 1.57%
Human Relations 0.78%

Flight Instructor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Flight Instructor'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$107,905
Average $117,370/year
$132,140
$8,992
Average $9,781/month
$11,012
$2,075
Average $2,257/week
$2,541
$52
Average $56/hour
$64
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $132,140 $11,012 $2,541 $64
Average $117,370 $9,781 $2,257 $56
25th Percentile $107,905 $8,992 $2,075 $52

Flight Instructor Salary Growth & Career Path

Flight Instructor
Religious Activities and Education Director

For a Flight Instructor, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Religious Activities and Education Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $72,644 - a projected growth of -38% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Flight Instructor

Most common benefits for Flight Instructor

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401(k)
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FAQ about Flight Instructor

1. Where can a Flight Instructor earn the most?

A Flight Instructor'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 Instructor earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Flight Instructor is $148,038.

2. What is the highest pay for Flight Instructor?

The highest pay for Flight Instructor is $145,588.

3. What is the lowest pay for Flight Instructor?

The lowest pay for Flight Instructor is $99,287.

4. What are the responsibilities of Flight Instructor?

Instructs student pilots in flight procedures and techniques in ground school courses and flight training. Prepares lesson plans. Evaluates and monitors students performance. This position is typically is represented by a senior level pilot. The compensation data does NOT reflect salaries of flight instructors from smaller local flight schools who typically work on an hourly basis and consider the accumulation of airtime the highest priority in their respective careers.

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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