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Pilot V Salary in the United States

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

As of November 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pilot V in the United States is $196,801 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $95.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $228,555
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $170,809 to $213,422
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $147,145
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Pilot V Salaries

A Pilot V'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 V Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Pilot V'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): $142,516
  • Pilot III (7+ years): $164,819
  • Pilot V (7-10 years): $196,801
  • Chief Pilot I (10+ years): $171,087
  • Chief Pilot II (10+ years): $227,616
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Pilot II4-7 years$142,516
Pilot III7+ years$164,819
Pilot V7-10 years$196,801
Chief Pilot I10+ years$171,087
Chief Pilot II10+ years$227,616
View as Graph

How Do Pilot V 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 Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $217,898.
  • California: $217,072.
  • Massachusetts: $214,179.

Top Paying Cities for Pilot Vs

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: $248,225
  • San Francisco: $245,507
  • Oakland: $240,333

What Skills Can Increase a Pilot V'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 V'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 $246,001
25%
Analysis $238,129
21%
Problem Solving $234,193
19%
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Pilot V Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Pilot V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $219,643. While startup companies pay approximate $186,027.

Pilot V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $186,027
Growth Stage 51~500 $196,683
Established 501~5000 $212,084
Enterprise 5000+ $219,643

Pilot V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Pilot V 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 V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Pilot V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$246,001$118.025%
Biotechnology$236,161$114.020%
Pharmaceuticals$236,161$114.020%
Energy & Utilities$226,321$109.015%
Aerospace & Defense$216,481$104.010%

How Education impacts a Pilot V's Salary?

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

Pilot V Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Pilot V
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 V Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Pilot V'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 November 01, 2026
$170,809
Average $196,801/year
$213,422
$14,234
Average $16,400/month
$17,785
$3,285
Average $3,785/week
$4,104
$82
Average $95/hour
$103
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $213,422 $17,785 $4,104 $103
Average $196,801 $16,400 $3,785 $95
25th Percentile $170,809 $14,234 $3,285 $82

Pilot V Salary Growth & Career Path

Pilot V

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Pilot V, 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 $166,010 -16%
Chief Pilot I $171,087 -13%

Most common benefits for Pilot V

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

Common company salaries for Pilot V

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

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FAQ about Pilot V

1. Where can a Pilot V earn the most?

A Pilot V'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 V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Pilot V is $248,225.

2. What is the highest pay for Pilot V?

The highest pay for Pilot V is $228,555.

3. What is the lowest pay for Pilot V?

The lowest pay for Pilot V is $147,145.

4. What are the responsibilities of Pilot V?

Operates aircraft to safely transport personnel, equipment, and cargo in accordance with aviation regulations and company procedures. Performs pre-flight planning, including reviewing weather, flight routes, fuel requirements, weight and balance, and airspace restrictions. Conducts pre-flight and post-flight aircraft inspections to verify airworthiness and reports maintenance discrepancies. Operates aircraft safely during all phases of flight and communicates with air traffic control and ground personnel. Complies with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, company flight operations manuals, and safety management system requirements. Maintains accurate flight logs, duty records, and required documentation. May require a bachelor's degree. Requires Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate. Requires FAA Pilot Certificate. May require FAA Commercial Pilot's License. Typically reports to a 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 V?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Pilot V 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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