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Aircraft Test Pilot Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aircraft Test Pilot in the United States is $116,087 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): $134,658
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $106,928 to $125,808
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $98,589
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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): $77,255
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $101,405
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $116,723
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $123,610
  • Expert (over 8 years): $147,161
Levels Salary
Sustainab... Level Aircraft Test Pilot$77,255
Sustainab... Level Aircraft Test Pilot$101,405
Aircraft ... Level Aircraft Test Pilot$116,723
Sustainab... Level Aircraft Test Pilot$123,610
Sustainab... Level Aircraft Test Pilot$147,161
View as Graph

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: $128,532.
  • California: $128,044.
  • Massachusetts: $126,337.

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: $146,421
  • San Francisco: $144,817
  • Oakland: $141,765

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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.38%
Supply Chain 1.42%
Packaging 0.83%
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 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 $134,661
16%
Coordination $130,017
12%
Data Management $128,857
11%
Get Latest Data

Aircraft Test Pilot Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Aircraft Test Pilot roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Telecom and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Aircraft Test Pilot positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Aircraft Test Pilot as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Aircraft Test Pilot

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Telecom$185,739$89.060%
Construction$174,130$84.050%
Insurance$162,522$78.040%
Energy & Utilities$150,913$73.030%
Media$145,109$70.025%

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 September 01, 2026
$106,928
Average $116,087/year
$125,808
$8,911
Average $9,674/month
$10,484
$2,056
Average $2,232/week
$2,419
$51
Average $56/hour
$60
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $125,808 $10,484 $2,419 $60
Average $116,087 $9,674 $2,232 $56
25th Percentile $106,928 $8,911 $2,056 $51

Most common benefits for Aircraft Test Pilot

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

Common company salaries for Aircraft Test Pilot

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

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FAQ about Aircraft Test Pilot

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Aircraft Test Pilot?

The Telecom industry offers the highest average compensation for Aircraft Test Pilot roles, with salaries approximately 60% 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.)

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