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The differences between pilot instructors and test pilots can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a pilot instructor and a test pilot. Additionally, a test pilot has an average salary of $96,060, which is higher than the $90,143 average annual salary of a pilot instructor.
The top three skills for a pilot instructor include FAA, simulator and instructor pilot. The most important skills for a test pilot are FAA, pilot-in-command, and aircraft maintenance.
| Pilot Instructor | Test Pilot | |
| Yearly salary | $90,143 | $96,060 |
| Hourly rate | $43.34 | $46.18 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 26,978 | 20,665 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The key role of a Pilot Instructor is to teach students procedures and techniques about how to fly aircraft. They offer instruction for both on the ground and in the sky, prepare lesson plans, and assess and monitor students performance.
A test pilot operates and evaluates aircraft to determine its quality and safety. Their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing aircraft data and specifications, assessing the aircraft's features, documenting every procedure, and making a list of recommendations to improve the aircraft's overall quality and performance. They may also evaluate various instruments and systems, performing maintenance checks as necessary. Being a test pilot requires expertise and skills, which is my most test pilots are employed under government agencies and have undergone special training.
Pilot instructors and test pilots have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pilot Instructor | Test Pilot | |
| Average salary | $90,143 | $96,060 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $133,000 | Between $67,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | Trenton, NJ | Mountain View, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | OBXtek | Learjet |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a pilot instructor and a test pilot in terms of educational background:
| Pilot Instructor | Test Pilot | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | SUNY Farmingdale | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between pilot instructors' and test pilots' demographics:
| Pilot Instructor | Test Pilot | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.1% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 2.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.3% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |