As of March 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Lead Test Pilot in the United States is $82, which translates to an annual salary of about $169,724.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI-Powered Talent
Lead Test Pilot Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $182,963 | $15,247 | $3,519 | $88 |
| Average | $169,724 | $14,144 | $3,264 | $82 |
| 25th Percentile | $155,522 | $12,960 | $2,991 | $75 |
Raytheon - TUCSON, AZ
Christus Health - SANTA FE, NM
Menomonie Street Dental, LLC - EAU CLAIRE, WI
Camp Cody - FREEDOM, NH
A Lead Test Pilot'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Test Pilot'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Test Pilot | 4-7 years | $128,877 |
| Senior Test Pilot | 7+ years | $150,093 |
| Lead Test Pilot | 7-10 years | $169,724 |
| Test Pilot Manager | 10+ years | $193,965 |
| Test Pilot Senior Manager | 10+ years | $219,119 |
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 Lead Test Pilots. 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:
Understanding how a Lead Test Pilot'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 | $182,963 | $15,247 | $3,519 | $88 |
| Average | $169,724 | $14,144 | $3,264 | $82 |
| 25th Percentile | $155,522 | $12,960 | $2,991 | $75 |
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Lead Test Pilot and their salaries, click below for more details.
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
MFG Durable
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Test Pilot job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Pilots new or modified aircraft to test functionality and ensure compliance with federal regulations and product specifications. Follows all regulatory policies and procedures when conducting flight operations. Pilots aircraft and performs maneuvers in various conditions to test and validate functionality, capabilities, and safety of features. Collects and documents data utilizing specialized tools and professional observations. Prepares reports that summarize findings and recommendations. May pilot demonstrations for officials or customers to exhibit performance and capabilities. Requires a high school diploma. Requires FAA Commercial Pilot's License. Typically reports to a manager. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
