Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Pilot II Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pilot II in the United States is $142,463 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $170,482
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $128,613 to $157,129
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $116,003
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Pilot II Salaries

A Pilot II'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 II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Pilot II'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): $116,542
  • Pilot II (4-7 years): $142,463
  • Pilot III (7+ years): $164,759
  • Pilot IV (7-10 years): $196,749
  • Chief Pilot I (10+ years): $171,020
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Pilot I2-4 years$116,542
Pilot II4-7 years$142,463
Pilot III7+ years$164,759
Pilot IV7-10 years$196,749
Chief Pilot I10+ years$171,020
View as Graph

How Do Pilot II 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 IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $157,735.
  • California: $157,137.
  • Massachusetts: $155,042.

Top Paying Cities for Pilot IIs

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: $179,689
  • San Francisco: $177,721
  • Oakland: $173,976

What Skills Can Increase a Pilot II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 1.7% 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.
  • Safety Management (Mentioned in 1.14% Job Postings): Applying safety principles, framework, processes, and measures to prevent accidents, injuries, and other adverse consequences.
  • Counterintelligence (Mentioned in 0.57% 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 1.7%
Safety Management 1.14%
Counterintelligence 0.57%
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 II's salary.

  • Communicates Effectively: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Communicates Effectively $153,860
8%
Scheduling $153,860
8%
Leadership $146,737
3%
Get Latest Data

Pilot II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Pilot II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $159,208. While startup companies pay approximate $134,674.

Pilot II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $134,674
Growth Stage 51~500 $142,431
Established 501~5000 $153,736
Enterprise 5000+ $159,208

Pilot II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Pilot II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Pilot positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Pilot II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Pilot II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$168,106$81.018%
Energy & Utilities$163,832$79.015%
Software & Networking$162,408$78.014%
Aerospace & Defense$159,559$77.012%
Internet$156,709$75.010%

How Education impacts a Pilot II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Pilot II 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 II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $152,221 and $164,286.

Pilot II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Pilot II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 22.5%
High School 22.5%
Associates 10.0%
Bachelors 67.5%
Masters 10.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Pilot II'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 September 01, 2026
$128,613
Average $142,463/year
$157,129
$10,718
Average $11,872/month
$13,094
$2,473
Average $2,740/week
$3,022
$62
Average $68/hour
$76
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $157,129 $13,094 $3,022 $76
Average $142,463 $11,872 $2,740 $68
25th Percentile $128,613 $10,718 $2,473 $62

Pilot II Salary Growth & Career Path

Pilot II

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Pilot II, 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 $165,953 16%
Pilot III $164,759 16%

Most common benefits for Pilot II

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

Common company salaries for Pilot II

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

Find Your Next Pilot II Job

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

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Pilot II

1. Where can a Pilot II earn the most?

A Pilot II'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 II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Pilot II is $179,689.

2. What is the highest pay for Pilot II?

The highest pay for Pilot II is $170,482.

3. What is the lowest pay for Pilot II?

The lowest pay for Pilot II is $116,003.

4. What are the responsibilities of Pilot II?

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. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4 -7 years of related experience.

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Pilot II roles, with salaries approximately 18% 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job