Aircraft Test Pilot Salary in the United States

How much does an Aircraft Test Pilot make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aircraft Test Pilot in the United States is $116,080 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $134,764
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $106,946 to $125,860
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $98,630
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View as table View as graph 25% $106,946 10% $98,630 90% $134,764 75% $125,860 $116,080 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Aircraft Test Pilot Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $125,860 $10,488 $2,420 $61
Average $116,080 $9,673 $2,232 $56
25th Percentile $106,946 $8,912 $2,057 $51
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Key Factors That Influence Aircraft Test Pilot Salaries

An Aircraft 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.

How Experience Level Affects Aircraft Test Pilot Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Aircraft 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $77,237
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $101,371
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $116,715
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $123,535
  • Expert (over 8 years): $147,158
Levels Salary
Sustainab... Level Aircraft Test Pilot$77,237
Sustainab... Level Aircraft Test Pilot$101,371
Aircraft ... Level Aircraft Test Pilot$116,715
Sustainab... Level Aircraft Test Pilot$123,535
Sustainab... Level Aircraft Test Pilot$147,158
$77,237 0 yr
$101,371 < 2 yrs
$116,715 2-4 yrs
$123,535 5-8 yrs
$147,158 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Aircraft Test Pilot 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 Aircraft Test Pilots. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $128,524.
  • California: $128,036.
  • Massachusetts: $126,330.

Top Paying Cities for Aircraft Test Pilots

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: $146,412
  • San Francisco: $144,972
  • Oakland: $141,757

What Skills Can Increase an Aircraft Test Pilot's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.38% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Supply Chain (Mentioned in 1.42% Job Postings): A supply chain encompasses everything from the delivery of source materials from the supplier to the manufacturer through to its eventual delivery to the end user.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 0.83% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.38%
Supply Chain 1.42%
Packaging 0.83%
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 an Aircraft Test Pilot's salary.
  • Property Management: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Data Management: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Property Management
$134,653
16%
Coordination
$130,010
12%
Data Management
$128,849
11%
Tableau
$126,527
9%
Economics
$125,366
8%
Energy Efficiency
$123,045
6%
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Aircraft Test Pilot Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Aircraft 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.

Last Updated on April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Aircraft Test Pilot

Salaries for an Aircraft Test Pilot can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $100,134 in 2023 to around $98,778 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Aircraft Test Pilot salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Aircraft Test Pilot Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$100,134
2024
$99,672
2025
$98,778
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $100,134
2024 $99,672
2025 $98,778
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Aircraft Test Pilot

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

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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.)

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