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Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer in the United States is $73,917 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $82,379
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,428 to $78,346
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,431
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer Salaries

A Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer'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 Instrumentation Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer'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): $72,528
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $73,117
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $74,040
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $74,224
  • Expert (over 8 years): $74,347
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer less than 1 year $72,528
Early Career Level Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer 1-2 years $73,117
Mid-Level Level Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer 2-4 years $74,040
Senior-Level Level Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer 5-8 years $74,224
Expert Level Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer over 8 years $74,347

How Do Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer 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 Instrumentation Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $81,841.
  • California: $81,530.
  • Massachusetts: $80,444.

Top Paying Cities for Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer

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: $93,231
  • San Francisco: $92,210
  • Oakland: $90,267

Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Biotechnology, offers compensation 25% above the average. Conversely, Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $92,396 $44.0 25%

How Education impacts a Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Instrumentation Engineer with a Bachelor's is between $69,047 and $73,706.

Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.7%
High School 1.9%
Associate's Degree 4.7%
Bachelor's Degree 47.8%
Master's Degree or MBA 32.6%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 12.4%
View as Graph

Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$68,428
Average $73,917/year
$78,346
$5,702
Average $6,160/month
$6,529
$1,316
Average $1,421/week
$1,507
$33
Average $36/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,346 $6,529 $1,507 $38
Average $73,917 $6,160 $1,421 $36
25th Percentile $68,428 $5,702 $1,316 $33

Most common benefits for Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer

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

Find Your Next Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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.)

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