Pilot Plant Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Pilot Plant Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pilot Plant Manager in the United States is $117,051 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $124,903
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $100,000 to $121,161
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $84,476

Key Factors That Influence Pilot Plant Manager Salaries

A Pilot Plant Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Pilot Plant Managers

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: $147,636
  • San Francisco: $146,020
  • Oakland: $142,943

What Skills Can Increase a Pilot Plant Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 14.95% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Accounting (Mentioned in 1.11% Job Postings): Creating financial statements and reports based on the summary of financial and business transactions.
  • Merchandising (Mentioned in 0.91% Job Postings): In the broadest sense, merchandising is any practice which contributes to the sale of products to a retail consumer. At a retail in-store level, merchandising refers to the variety of products available for sale and the display of those products in such a way that it stimulates interest and entices customers to make a purchase. In the profession of merchandising you are either employed by the store in which you work, or by an independent distributor. As a professional merchandiser, in a retail setting, you will not only know your products(I.e. coffee, juice, soda, etc.) but you will gauge other “vendors” like products as you tend to your job. Working with the store and other merchandisers, shelf space is often given or taken as need be in some locations(for some young merchandisers this is known as “war”) In retail commerce, visual display merchandising means merchandise sales using product design, selection, packaging, pricing, and display that stimulates consumers to spend more. This includes disciplines and discounting, physical presentation of products and displays, and the decisions about which products should be presented to which customers at what time.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 14.95%
Accounting 1.11%
Merchandising 0.91%

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 Pilot Plant Manager's salary.

  • Accounting: Can increase your salary by up to 50%.
  • Business Administration: Can increase your salary by up to 49%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Accounting $175,577
50%
Business Administration $174,406
49%
Collaboration $127,586
9%

Pilot Plant Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Pilot Plant Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Pilot Plant Manager positions in Insurance or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Pilot Plant Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Pilot Plant Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$175,576$84.050%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$140,461$68.020%

How Education impacts a Pilot Plant Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Pilot Plant Managers enter the field with a Associate'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 Pilot Plant Manager with a Associate's Degree is between $113,854 and $126,255).

Pilot Plant Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Pilot Plant Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 17.1%
High School 17.1%
Associates 7.3%
Bachelors 53.7%
Masters 22.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

Pilot Plant Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Pilot Plant Manager'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
$100,000
Average $117,051/year
$121,161
$8,333
Average $9,754/month
$10,097
$1,923
Average $2,251/week
$2,330
$48
Average $56/hour
$58
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $121,161 $10,097 $2,330 $58
Average $117,051 $9,754 $2,251 $56
25th Percentile $100,000 $8,333 $1,923 $48

Most common benefits for Pilot Plant Manager

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

Common company salaries for Pilot Plant Manager

Here are companies hiring for Pilot Plant Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Pilot Plant Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Pilot Plant Manager?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Pilot Plant Manager roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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