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Lead Test Pilot Salary in the United States

How much does a Lead Test Pilot make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Test Pilot in the United States is $169,739 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $82.

However, a Lead Test Pilot's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $194,987
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $155,497 to $182,955
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $142,530
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Lead Test Pilot Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Lead Test Pilot Salaries?

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:

  • Test Pilot (4-7 years): $128,939
  • Senior Test Pilot (7+ years): $150,157
  • Lead Test Pilot (7-10 years): $169,739
  • Test Pilot Manager (10+ years): $194,100
  • Test Pilot Senior Manager (10+ years): $219,302
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Test Pilot4-7 years$128,939
Senior Test Pilot7+ years$150,157
Lead Test Pilot7-10 years$169,739
Test Pilot Manager10+ years$194,100
Test Pilot Senior Manager10+ years$219,302
View as Graph

How Do Lead Test Pilots 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 Lead Test Pilots. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $187,935.
  • California: $187,222.
  • Massachusetts: $184,727.

Top Paying Cities for Lead Test Pilot

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: $214,092
  • San Francisco: $211,748
  • Oakland: $207,285

Lead Test Pilot Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Lead Test Pilot salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $190,581. While startup companies pay approximate $161,267.

Lead Test Pilot Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $161,267
Growth Stage 51~500 $170,513
Established 501~5000 $184,054
Enterprise 5000+ $190,581

Lead Test Pilot Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lead Test Pilot 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 Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Lead Test Pilot positions in Transportation or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Test Pilot as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lead Test Pilot

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$254,608$122.050%
Aerospace & Defense$203,687$98.020%

Lead Test Pilot Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$155,497
Average $169,739/year
$182,955
$12,958
Average $14,145/month
$15,246
$2,990
Average $3,264/week
$3,518
$75
Average $82/hour
$88
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $182,955 $15,246 $3,518 $88
Average $169,739 $14,145 $3,264 $82
25th Percentile $155,497 $12,958 $2,990 $75

Lead Test Pilot Salary Growth & Career Path

Lead Test Pilot

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Advancement

For a Lead Test Pilot, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Test Pilot Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $194,100 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Lead Test Pilot

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

Common company salaries for Lead Test Pilot

Here are companies hiring for Lead Test Pilot and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Lead Test Pilot

1. Where can a Lead Test Pilot earn the most?

A Lead Test Pilot'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 Lead Test Pilot earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Lead Test Pilot is $214,092.

2. What is the highest pay for Lead Test Pilot?

The highest pay for Lead Test Pilot is $194,987.

3. What is the lowest pay for Lead Test Pilot?

The lowest pay for Lead Test Pilot is $142,530.

4. What are the responsibilities of Lead Test Pilot?

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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Lead Test Pilot?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Lead Test Pilot roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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