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Flight Test Pilot Salary in the United States

How much does a Flight Test Pilot make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Flight Test Pilot in the United States is $98,515 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $113,151
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $88,342 to $106,176
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $79,080
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Flight Test Pilot Salaries

A Flight 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Flight Test Pilot Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Flight 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): $67,440
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $81,981
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $99,221
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $123,783
  • Expert (over 8 years): $149,844
Levels Salary
Quality A... Level Flight Test Pilot$67,440
Quality A... Level Flight Test Pilot$81,981
Flight Te... Level Flight Test Pilot$99,221
Quality A... Level Flight Test Pilot$123,783
Quality A... Level Flight Test Pilot$149,844
View as Graph

How Do Flight 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 Flight Test Pilots. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $109,076.
  • California: $108,662.
  • Massachusetts: $107,214.

Top Paying Cities for Flight 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: $124,257
  • San Francisco: $122,896
  • Oakland: $120,306

What Skills Can Increase a Flight Test Pilot's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.19% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 2.11% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
  • Product Quality (Mentioned in 1.46% Job Postings): Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.19%
Packaging 2.11%
Product Quality 1.46%
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 a Flight Test Pilot's salary.

  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Process Improvement $102,455
4%
Computer Science $102,455
4%
Project Management $102,455
4%
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Flight Test Pilot Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Flight Test Pilot roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Flight Test Pilot positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Flight Test Pilot as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Flight Test Pilot

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$108,366$52.010%
Business Services$108,366$52.010%
Construction$108,366$52.010%
Energy & Utilities$108,366$52.010%
Healthcare$108,366$52.010%

How Education impacts a Flight Test Pilot's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Flight Test Pilots 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 a Flight Test Pilot with a Bachelor's Degree is between $100,752 and $105,909).

Flight Test Pilot Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Flight Test Pilot
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 12.9%
High School 12.9%
Associates 5.3%
Bachelors 57.6%
Masters 23.5%
Doctorate 0.6%
View as Graph

Flight Test Pilot Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Flight 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 October 01, 2026
$88,342
Average $98,515/year
$106,176
$7,362
Average $8,210/month
$8,848
$1,699
Average $1,895/week
$2,042
$42
Average $47/hour
$51
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $106,176 $8,848 $2,042 $51
Average $98,515 $8,210 $1,895 $47
25th Percentile $88,342 $7,362 $1,699 $42

Most common benefits for Flight Test Pilot

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

Common company salaries for Flight Test Pilot

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

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FAQ about Flight Test Pilot

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Flight Test Pilot roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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