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Pilot I Salary in the United States

How much does a Pilot I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pilot I in the United States is $116,519 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $140,323
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $99,544 to $128,979
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $84,089
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Pilot I Salaries

A Pilot I'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Pilot I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Pilot I'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:

  • Pilot I (2-4 years): $116,519
  • Pilot II (4-7 years): $142,436
  • Pilot III (7+ years): $164,728
  • Pilot IV (7-10 years): $196,723
  • Chief Pilot I (10+ years): $170,986
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Pilot I2-4 years$116,519
Pilot II4-7 years$142,436
Pilot III7+ years$164,728
Pilot IV7-10 years$196,723
Chief Pilot I10+ years$170,986
View as Graph

How Do Pilot Is 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 Pilot Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $129,010.
  • California: $128,520.
  • Massachusetts: $126,808.

Top Paying Cities for Pilot I

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: $146,965
  • San Francisco: $145,356
  • Oakland: $142,293

What Skills Can Increase a Pilot I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 15% 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.
  • Aviation (Mentioned in 5% Job Postings): Aviation is the activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. Aircraft includes fixed-wing and rotary-wing types, morphable wings, wing-less lifting bodies, as well as lighter-than-air craft such as hot air balloons and airships.
  • Counterintelligence (Mentioned in 5% Job Postings): Counterintelligence is an activity aimed at protecting an agency's intelligence program from an opposition's intelligence service.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 15%
Aviation 5%
Counterintelligence 5%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Pilot I's salary.

  • Security Clearance: Can increase your salary by up to 35%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 34%.
  • Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Security Clearance $157,301
35%
Leadership $156,135
34%
Planning $143,318
23%
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Pilot I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Pilot I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $130,436. While startup companies pay approximate $110,346.

Pilot I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $110,346
Growth Stage 51~500 $116,704
Established 501~5000 $125,959
Enterprise 5000+ $130,436

Pilot I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Pilot I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 45% above the average. In contrast, Pilot positions in Biotechnology or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Pilot I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Pilot I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$168,953$81.045%
Business Services$157,301$76.035%
Construction$145,649$70.025%
Energy & Utilities$133,997$64.015%
Healthcare$122,345$59.05%

How Education impacts an Pilot I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Pilot I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Pilot I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $115,274 and $125,639.

Pilot I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Pilot I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 14.0%
High School 14.0%
Associates 16.3%
Bachelors 65.1%
Masters 4.7%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Pilot I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Pilot I'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
$99,544
Average $116,519/year
$128,979
$8,295
Average $9,710/month
$10,748
$1,914
Average $2,241/week
$2,480
$48
Average $56/hour
$62
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $128,979 $10,748 $2,480 $62
Average $116,519 $9,710 $2,241 $56
25th Percentile $99,544 $8,295 $1,914 $48

Pilot I Salary Growth & Career Path

Pilot I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Pilot I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Chief Helicopter Pilot $165,924 42%
Pilot II $142,436 22%

Most common benefits for Pilot I

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

Common company salaries for Pilot I

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

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Pilot I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Pilot I

1. Where can a Pilot I earn the most?

A Pilot I'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 Pilot I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Pilot I is $146,965.

2. What is the highest pay for Pilot I?

The highest pay for Pilot I is $140,323.

3. What is the lowest pay for Pilot I?

The lowest pay for Pilot I is $84,089.

4. What are the responsibilities of Pilot I?

Pilots or co-pilots aircraft following standard operating procedures to ensure that flights operate according to all regulations, safety, and company policies. Follows required procedures to perform pre-flight checks and inspections. Determines flight routes, speed, take-off, and landing times that will fulfill scheduling requirements. Completes required documentation and performs post-flight procedures as required. May require a bachelor's degree. Requires Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate. Requires FAA Commercial Pilot's License. Typically reports to chief pilot. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2 -4 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Pilot I?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Pilot I roles, with salaries approximately 45% 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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