As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Flight Instructor in South Dakota is $107,855 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.
However, a Flight Instructor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Flight Instructor Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $121,428 | $10,119 | $2,335 | $58 |
| Average | $107,855 | $8,988 | $2,074 | $52 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,157 | $8,263 | $1,907 | $48 |
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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.
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 Instructors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Flight Instructor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $107,855. While startup companies pay approximate $107,855.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $107,855 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $107,855 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $107,855 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $107,855 |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $121,428 | $10,119 | $2,335 | $58 |
| Average | $107,855 | $8,988 | $2,074 | $52 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,157 | $8,263 | $1,907 | $48 |
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 $66,707 - a projected growth of -38% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Flight Instructor job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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