As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Test Pilot in the United States is $169,724 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:
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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 |
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 $193,965 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.
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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 $214,073.
The highest pay for Lead Test Pilot is $195,016.
The lowest pay for Lead Test Pilot is $142,592.
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 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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