As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Fixed Wing Pilot in the United States is $163,784 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.
However, a Fixed Wing Pilot's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Fixed Wing Pilot Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $174,873 | $14,573 | $3,363 | $84 |
| Average | $163,784 | $13,649 | $3,150 | $79 |
| 25th Percentile | $142,149 | $11,846 | $2,734 | $68 |
A Fixed Wing 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Fixed Wing 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Pilot I Level Fixed Wing Pilot | $116,915 |
| Pilot II Level Fixed Wing Pilot | $142,919 |
| Fixed Win... Level Fixed Wing Pilot | $165,286 |
| Pilot IV Level Fixed Wing Pilot | $197,379 |
| Chief Pil... Level Fixed Wing Pilot | $171,567 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 50% |
| Aviation | 50% |
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 Fixed Wing Pilot's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Aviation | $176,887 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Fixed Wing Pilots enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Fixed Wing Pilot with a No Diploma is between $153,894 and $166,474).
| Typical Education for Fixed Wing Pilot | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 15.7% |
| High School | 15.7% |
| Associates | 9.8% |
| Bachelors | 60.8% |
| Masters | 11.8% |
| Doctorate | 2.0% |
Understanding how a Fixed Wing 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 | $174,873 | $14,573 | $3,363 | $84 |
| Average | $163,784 | $13,649 | $3,150 | $79 |
| 25th Percentile | $142,149 | $11,846 | $2,734 | $68 |
Salaries for a Fixed Wing Pilot can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $123,685 in 2023 to around $115,987 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Fixed Wing Pilot salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $123,685 |
| 2024 | $119,726 |
| 2025 | $115,987 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Fixed Wing Pilot roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.
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: