As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Test Pilot in California is $142,205 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.
However, a Test Pilot's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Test Pilot Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $155,434 | $12,953 | $2,989 | $75 |
| Average | $142,205 | $11,850 | $2,735 | $68 |
| 25th Percentile | $129,713 | $10,809 | $2,494 | $62 |
Joby Aviation - Concord, CA
Joby Aviation - Concord, CA
Joby Aviation - Marina, CA
Scaled Composites - Mojave, CA
A Test Pilot'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Test Pilot'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Test Pilot | 4-7 years | $142,205 |
| Senior Test Pilot | 7+ years | $165,609 |
| Lead Test Pilot | 7-10 years | $187,219 |
| Test Pilot Manager | 10+ years | $214,061 |
| Test Pilot Senior Manager | 10+ years | $241,848 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Test Pilots. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Test Pilot salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $159,414. While startup companies pay approximate $134,867.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $134,867 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $142,599 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $153,957 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $159,414 |
For Test Pilot roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Test Pilot positions in Transportation or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Test Pilot as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $184,867 | $89.0 | 30% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $156,426 | $75.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Test Pilot'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $155,434 | $12,953 | $2,989 | $75 |
| Average | $142,205 | $11,850 | $2,735 | $68 |
| 25th Percentile | $129,713 | $10,809 | $2,494 | $62 |
For a Test Pilot, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Senior Test Pilot role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $165,609 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Test Pilot job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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