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Pilot IV Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pilot IV in the United States is $196,749 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $95.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $228,485
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $170,776 to $213,361
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $147,129
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Pilot IV Salaries

A Pilot IV'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 IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Pilot IV'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 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
  • Chief Pilot II (10+ years): $227,536
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Pilot II4-7 years$142,463
Pilot III7+ years$164,759
Pilot IV7-10 years$196,749
Chief Pilot I10+ years$171,020
Chief Pilot II10+ years$227,536
View as Graph

How Do Pilot IV 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 IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $217,840.
  • California: $217,014.
  • Massachusetts: $214,122.

Top Paying Cities for Pilot IVs

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: $248,160
  • San Francisco: $245,442
  • Oakland: $240,270

What Skills Can Increase a Pilot IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 10.41% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Avionics (Mentioned in 1.87% Job Postings): Avionics are the electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites, and spacecraft. Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems, and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to perform individual functions. These can be as simple as a searchlight for a police helicopter or as complicated as the tactical system for an airborne early warning platform. The term avionics is a portmanteau of the words aviation and electronics.
  • Cost Management (Mentioned in 0.19% Job Postings): Planning and controlling the cost or budget of a business to generate savings and maximize long-term profits.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 10.41%
Avionics 1.87%
Cost Management 0.19%
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 IV's salary.

  • Management Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 25%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Management Skills $245,936
25%
Analysis $238,066
21%
Problem Solving $234,131
19%
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Pilot IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Pilot IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $219,875. While startup companies pay approximate $185,992.

Pilot IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $185,992
Growth Stage 51~500 $196,705
Established 501~5000 $212,318
Enterprise 5000+ $219,875

Pilot IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Pilot IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Pilot positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Pilot IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Pilot IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$245,936$118.025%
Biotechnology$236,099$114.020%
Pharmaceuticals$236,099$114.020%
Energy & Utilities$226,261$109.015%
Aerospace & Defense$216,424$104.010%

How Education impacts a Pilot IV's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Pilot IV 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 IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $199,422 and $213,296.

Pilot IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Pilot IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 19.0%
High School 19.0%
Associates 14.3%
Bachelors 52.4%
Masters 14.3%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Pilot IV'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
$170,776
Average $196,749/year
$213,361
$14,231
Average $16,396/month
$17,780
$3,284
Average $3,784/week
$4,103
$82
Average $95/hour
$103
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $213,361 $17,780 $4,103 $103
Average $196,749 $16,396 $3,784 $95
25th Percentile $170,776 $14,231 $3,284 $82

Pilot IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Pilot IV

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Pilot IV, 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%
Chief Pilot I $171,020 -13%

Most common benefits for Pilot IV

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

Common company salaries for Pilot IV

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

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FAQ about Pilot IV

1. Where can a Pilot IV earn the most?

A Pilot IV'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 IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Pilot IV is $248,160.

2. What is the highest pay for Pilot IV?

The highest pay for Pilot IV is $228,485.

3. What is the lowest pay for Pilot IV?

The lowest pay for Pilot IV is $147,129.

4. What are the responsibilities of Pilot IV?

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. 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 Pilot IV?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Pilot IV roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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