How To Become A Test Pilot: What It Is and Career Path

What is a test pilot and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Test pilots spend much of their time performing flight tests in the cockpit. They are tasked with operating and evaluating aircraft to assess its operational functionality and safety. Also, they ensure it complies with federal regulations and product specifications. Asides from that, they make recommendations to improve the aircraft's overall quality and performance. Additionally, they coordinate flight operations efforts and may pilot demonstrations for officials or customers. They may also evaluate various instruments and systems, conducting maintenance inspections as necessary.

Test pilots can be experimental, engineering, production, or airline test pilots. The educational requirement is dependent on the type of test pilot. However, you'll need a broad discipline that covers basic science, engineering, and aeronautics, among others. You'll be required to have a pilot certificate to qualify and will need problem-solving and analytical skills. Test pilots make an average salary of $78,281 per year, approximately $37.64 per hour. This ranges from $52,000 to $117,000.

ScoreTest PilotUS Average

Salary

7.5

Avg. Salary $96,060

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.9

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.26%

Asian 2.79%

Black or African American 2.75%

Hispanic or Latino 7.29%

Unknown 5.59%

White 81.32%

Gender

female 8.72%

male 91.28%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

8.9

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a test pilot

Explore test pilot education requirements

Most common test pilot degrees

Bachelor's

61.0 %

Master's

16.5 %

Associate

15.4 %

Start to develop specific test pilot skills

Skills	Percentages
FAA	25.79%
Pilot-In-Command	12.49%
Aircraft Maintenance	7.83%
Logistics	6.48%
Flight Operations	5.55%

Complete relevant test pilot training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New test pilots learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a test pilot based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real test pilot resumes.

Research test pilot duties and responsibilities

Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
Perform production/experimental flight tests of aircraft and systems to assure compliance with FAA.
Balance schedule maintenance activities with the mission demand to ensure combat asset availability.
React with expedite mission management and delegate to the aircrews for efficient no-notice helicopter launches.

Get test pilot experience

Generally, it takes 2-4 years to become a test pilot. The most common roles before becoming a test pilot include pilot, pilot instructor team lead and helicopter pilot.

Prepare your test pilot resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your test pilot resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a test pilot resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable test pilot resume templates

Build a professional test pilot resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your test pilot resume.

Apply for test pilot jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a test pilot job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do test pilots rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Test pilot reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019

Pros

Every day at work was different. Each flight was different and flying an airplane well is challenging. When an airline pilot has completed their flight assignment they go home and do not think about the job until the next time they go to work. The FAA regulations require rest periods and days off for pilots. A normal flight schedule offers 8- 20 days off per month. A pilot can choose to fly trips that are 1- 12 days long. Most airlines have a seniority system. This means that the airplane and crew position are determined by the date you were hired. Generally speaking, Senior pilots are Captains that fly the airplane with highest pay rate. Senior pilots also have the best flight schedule. Starting pay at the major airlines in 2019 is about $85,000 year. Senior pilots flying wide-body airplanes can earn up to $600,000 year flying an international schedule

Cons

Jet-lag. Fatigue is a fact of life for an airline pilot. Domestic flying often includes trips that depart at 11:00 PM and arrive early in the morning. International trips fly all over the world at all hours of the day. Pilots learn to deal with jet-lag and fatigue, but it remains a fact of life for most aviators