As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aviation Specialist in the United States is $152,417 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $73.
However, an Aviation Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
AI-Powered Talent
An Aviation Specialist'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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Aviation Specialist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Test Pilo... Level Aviation Specialist | $131,878 |
| Aviation ... Level Aviation Specialist | $153,582 |
| Lead Test... Level Aviation Specialist | $173,623 |
| Test Pilo... Level Aviation Specialist | $198,516 |
| Test Pilo... Level Aviation Specialist | $224,285 |
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 Aviation Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 7.69% |
| Customer Training | 2.56% |
| Test Planning | 2.56% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Physiology
|
$185,949 |
22%
|
|
Test Planning
|
$182,900 |
20%
|
|
Research and Development
|
$181,376 |
19%
|
|
Test Plans
|
$170,707 |
12%
|
|
Artificial Intelligence
|
$170,707 |
12%
|
|
Field Testing
|
$170,707 |
12%
|
For Aviation Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Aviation Specialist positions in Transportation or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Aviation Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $182,900 | $88.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $167,659 | $81.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Aviation Specialists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Aviation Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $176,685 and $188,677).
Aviation Specialist Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 25.0% |
| High School | 62.5% |
| Associates | 12.5% |
| Bachelors | 25.0% |
| Masters | 62.5% |
| Doctorate | 12.5% |
Understanding how an Aviation Specialist'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 July 01, 2026Salaries for an Aviation Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $126,114 in 2023 to around $118,244 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Aviation Specialist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $126,114 |
| 2024 | $121,956 |
| 2025 | $118,244 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Aviation Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Aviation Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
