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Pilot III Salary in the United States

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

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pilot III in the United States is $164,608 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $186,013
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $144,712 to $175,812
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $126,598
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View as table View as graph 25% $144,712 10% $126,598 90% $186,013 75% $175,812 $164,608 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Pilot III Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $175,812 $14,651 $3,381 $85
Average $164,608 $13,717 $3,166 $79
25th Percentile $144,712 $12,059 $2,783 $70
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Key Factors That Influence Pilot III Salaries

A Pilot III'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 Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Pilot III'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): $116,426
  • Pilot II (4-7 years): $142,331
  • Pilot III (7+ years): $164,608
  • Pilot IV (7-10 years): $196,618
  • Chief Pilot I (10+ years): $170,851
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Pilot I2-4 years$116,426
Pilot II4-7 years$142,331
Pilot III7+ years$164,608
Pilot IV7-10 years$196,618
Chief Pilot I10+ years$170,851
$116,426 Pilot I
$142,331 Pilot II
$164,608 Pilot III...
$196,618 Pilot IV
$170,851 Chief Pil...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Pilot IIIs

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: $207,620
  • San Francisco: $205,579
  • Oakland: $201,019

What Skills Can Increase a Pilot III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 50% 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 50% 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 50%
Aviation 50%
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 III's salary.
  • Aviation: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Aviation
$177,777
8%
Get Latest Data

How Education impacts a Pilot III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Pilot IIIs enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Pilot III with a No Diploma is between $153,894 and $166,474).

Pilot III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Pilot III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 15.7%
High School 15.7%
Associates 9.8%
Bachelors 60.8%
Masters 11.8%
Doctorate 2.0%
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Pilot III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Pilot III'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 April 01, 2026

Pilot III Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Pilot III, 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.

Pilot III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Chief Helicopter Pilot $165,810 1%
Pilot IV $196,618 19%

Salary Trends for Pilot III

Salaries for a Pilot III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $123,290 in 2023 to around $115,617 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Pilot III salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Pilot III Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$123,290
2024
$119,344
2025
$115,617
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $123,290
2024 $119,344
2025 $115,617
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Pilot III

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Pilot III

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

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FAQ about Pilot III

1. Where can a Pilot III earn the most?

A Pilot III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Pilot III is $207,620.

2. What is the highest pay for Pilot III?

The highest pay for Pilot III is $186,013.

3. What is the lowest pay for Pilot III?

The lowest pay for Pilot III is $126,598.

4. What are the responsibilities of Pilot III?

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 highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

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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