How much does a Pilot make in the United States?
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The average Pilot salary in the United States is $141,402 as of November 25, 2020. The range for our most popular Pilot positions (listed below) typically falls between $67,245 and $215,559. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Pilot's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Helicopter Pilot | $97,277 | $46.77 | United States | November 25, 2020 |
| Chief Helicopter Pilot | $158,523 | $76.21 | United States | November 25, 2020 |
| Test Pilot II | $81,927 | $39.39 | United States | November 25, 2020 |
| Test Pilot III | $117,842 | $56.65 | United States | November 25, 2020 |
| Test Pilot IV | $127,707 | $61.40 | United States | November 25, 2020 |
| Test Pilot V | $178,015 | $85.58 | United States | November 25, 2020 |
| Co-Pilot (Large Non-Jet) | $69,538 | $33.43 | United States | November 25, 2020 |
| Co-Pilot (Small Jet) | $101,962 | $49.02 | United States | November 25, 2020 |
| Chief Pilot (Jet Fleet) | $176,795 | $85.00 | United States | November 25, 2020 |
| Test Pilot Manager | $191,718 | $92.17 | United States | November 25, 2020 |
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Responsible for operation of helicopter. Ensures flight is conducted in the safest manner possible. Determines flight routes, speed, and take off and landing times to fulfill scheduling requirements. Must stay current with federal and local flight regulations. Requires 1,000 hours of helicopter flying time. May require an associate degree. Typically reports to a supervisor. Requires second class commercial helicopter pilot certificate. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Helicopter Pilot Salary
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Partners with general aviation management to establish and implement operating policies and procedures for helicopter pilots. Ensures flights are operated in compliance with all applicable FAA regulations. Schedules flight personnel, maintenance and maintains flight records. Assumes flight duty. Has all required licenses and meets flying time requirements. Typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Requires Commercial Pilot license for helicopters - CPL(H). Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs.True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes. View Chief Helicopter Pilot SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Head Helicopter Pilot, Chief Helicopter Pilot
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Pilots model aircraft to ensure compliance with federal regulations and product specifications. Ensures operational functionality and pilot and passenger safety. Recommends changes to cockpit or aircraft to better meet the pilot's needs or to improve flight. Performs tests and maneuvers as developed by engineers. May pilot demonstrations for officials or customers. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Requires Pilot license. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Typically requires 2 to 4 years of related experience. View Test Pilot II SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Engineering Test Pilot II, Maintenance Test Pilot II, Test Pilot II
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Pilots model aircraft to ensure compliance with federal regulations and product specifications. Ensures operational functionality and pilot and passenger safety. Recommends changes to cockpit or aircraft to better meet the pilot's needs or to improve flight. Performs tests and maneuvers as developed by engineers. May pilot demonstrations for officials or customers. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Requires Pilot license. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Typically requires 4 to 7 years of related experience. View Test Pilot III SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Engineering Test Pilot III, Maintenance Test Pilot III, Test Pilot III
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Pilots model aircraft to ensure compliance with federal regulations and product specifications. Ensures operational functionality and pilot and passenger safety. Recommends changes to cockpit or aircraft to better meet the pilot's needs or to improve flight. Performs tests and maneuvers as developed by engineers. Coordinates flight operations efforts. May pilot demonstrations for officials or customers. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Requires Pilot license. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Test Pilot IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Engineering Test Pilot IV, Maintenance Test Pilot IV, Test Pilot IV
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Pilots model aircraft to ensure compliance with federal regulations and product specifications. Ensures operational functionality and pilot and passenger safety. Recommends changes to cockpit or aircraft to better meet the pilot's needs or to improve flight. Performs tests and maneuvers as developed by engineers. Coordinates flight operations efforts. May pilot demonstrations for officials or customers. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Requires Pilot license. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in solution or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience. View Test Pilot V SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Engineering Test Pilot V, Maintenance Test Pilot V, Test Pilot V
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Assists captain of the aircraft (larger than 12,500 pounds at takeoff) with flight duties. Possesses FAA pilot certificate with necessary type ratings. View Co-Pilot (Large Non-Jet) SalaryCategory : Aviation and Airlines
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Assists captain of the aircraft (smaller than 12,500 pounds at takeoff) with flight duties. Supports captain in calculating flight routes, speed, and take off and landing times to ensure aircraft meets scheduling requirements. Keeps navigation manuals and charts up-to-date. Must stay current with federal and local flight regulations. Must be capable of taking full control of aircraft while in flight. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Requires FAA pilot certificate with necessary type ratings. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Co-Pilot (Small Jet) SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Airplane Co-Pilot (Small Jet), Co-Pilot (Small Jet)Category : Aviation and Airlines
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Assigns and supervises the duties of flight and ground personnel. Manages the overall operation of the aviation department. Coordinates aircraft maintenance with flight scheduling. Must stay current with federal and local flight regulations. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Possesses current airline transport certificate with necessary type ratings. Requires a minimum of 5,000 hours of flight experience and 1,500 hours of pilot-in-command experience. Typically reports to a director or head of a unit or department. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. View Chief Pilot (Jet Fleet) SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Chief Pilot Jet Fleet Operations, Chief Pilot (Jet Fleet)Category : Aviation and Airlines
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Oversees pilots who test model aircraft to ensure compliance with federal regulations and product specifications. Determines if model is suitable for flying and testing. Organizes scheduling for testing and for demonstrations for government officials or customers. Recommends changes to cockpit or aircraft to better meet the pilot's needs or to improve flight. Assists engineering team in developing tests and maneuvers for test pilots. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to the head of a unit/department. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. View Test Pilot Manager SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Engineering Test Pilot Team Leader, Maintenance Test Pilot Team Leader, Test Pilot Manager