How to hire a test pilot

How to hire a test pilot, step by step

Here's a step-by-step test pilot hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a test pilot job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new test pilot
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a test pilot do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The test pilot hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A test pilot's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, test pilots from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of test pilot salaries for various roles:

   Type of Test Pilot	Description	Hourly rate
   Test Pilot	Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft. Airline pilots fly for airlines that transport people and cargo on a fixed schedule... Show more	$32-65
   Aviator	An aviator, also known as a pilot, operates aircraft for commercial or private use. Although their duties vary upon their company or industry of employment, it usually entails performing regular inspections before and after every flight, coordinating with staff, maintaining an active communication line with air traffic controller, determining routes and schedules, analyzing flight plans, and monitoring the weather conditions... Show more	$36-58
   Pilot Instructor	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.	$28-63

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • FAA
   • Pilot-In-Command
   • Aircraft Maintenance
   • Logistics
   • Flight Operations
   • Aircraft Systems
   • Test Procedures
   • DOD
   • Aircraft Performance
   • PIC
   • Maintenance Test Flights
   • Instructor Pilot
   • Combat
   • UAS

   Check all skills

   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.
   • Develop regulations and procedures for airlift management.

   More test pilot duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the test pilot job description is a good way to get more applicants. A test pilot salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a test pilot in Wisconsin may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level test pilot. Additionally, a test pilot with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average test pilot salary

   $96,060yearly

   $46.18 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level test pilot salary

   $67,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

   Average test pilot salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$137,090	$66
   2	Nevada	$117,789	$57
   3	New York	$111,090	$53
   4	Washington	$100,602	$48
   5	Montana	$99,790	$48
   6	Wyoming	$98,291	$47
   7	Kansas	$97,868	$47
   8	Hawaii	$97,584	$47
   9	Louisiana	$95,350	$46
   10	Texas	$91,396	$44
   11	Maryland	$90,482	$44
   12	Colorado	$90,096	$43
   13	Arizona	$89,860	$43
   14	Virginia	$82,910	$40
   15	Mississippi	$76,680	$37
   16	Missouri	$73,147	$35
   17	Indiana	$70,672	$34
   18	Minnesota	$66,841	$32
   19	Alabama	$66,261	$32

   Average test pilot salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Learjet	$156,939	$75.45
   2	Joby Aviation	$154,755	$74.40	44
   3	Cirrus Aircraft	$154,591	$74.32	3
   4	Bell Flight	$137,668	$66.19
   5	Stratolaunch	$110,913	$53.32	2
   6	Scaled Composites	$108,942	$52.38	3
   7	SDI International	$108,268	$52.05	4
   8	Aurora Flight Sciences	$108,171	$52.01
   9	Northrop Grumman	$107,559	$51.71	107
   10	Textron	$105,350	$50.65	59
   11	Calspan	$101,363	$48.73	1
   12	Modern Technology Solutions	$97,720	$46.98	28
   13	General Atomics	$96,940	$46.61	37
   14	Boeing	$95,987	$46.15	72
   15	Boom Supersonic	$93,756	$45.08
   16	Piper Aircraft	$91,821	$44.14	1
   17	Zenetex	$90,047	$43.29
   18	Metro Aviation	$86,973	$41.81
   19	Merlin 200	$86,568	$41.62	5
   20	Honeywell	$86,107	$41.40	27

4. Writing a test pilot job description

   A good test pilot job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a test pilot job description:

   Test pilot job description example

   Cruz Associates Inc. of Yorktown, VA (www.cruzinc.us) has a position open and is looking for qualified candidates for a Senior MH-60 DAP Software Developmental Test Pilot. The job location is Fort Campbell, Kentucky in support of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). Salary is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.
   
   Scope: This position is to provide highly skilled MH-60 DAP fully mission qualified pilot to serve as the technical test coordinator of software flight testing on MH-60 DAP Army Special Operations Aviation (ARSOA) platforms. This position will support flight testing in the MH-60 DAP and facilitate test coordination and execution for software associated flight tests. Responsibilities include research, development, test, and evaluation duties for MH-60 DAP aircraft and aviation systems acquisition programs associated with the Army Special Operations Aviation Command (ARSOAC). Conducts developmental flight tests that require the application of in depth flying knowledge, operational experience, coupled with substantial knowledge of avionics systems and software acumen. Contractor applies a thorough knowledge of airworthiness requirements to unique and complex electronic equipment and internal/external sensor installations to the unit aircraft. Responsible for flying precise developmental flight test profiles day and night, under critical conditions of loading, speed, maneuvering, weather, and in close proximity to the ground or over water.
   Responsibilities:
   
   + Interprets and refines user requirements and develop potential integration solutions.
   
   + Develops concise and accurate performance specifications and procurement documents.
   
   + Monitors cost, schedule and compliance with stated requirements.
   
   + Recommends to Government Cell Lead appropriate courses of action should technical problems arise, or user requirements change.
   
   + Perform developmental and user acceptance flight tests for hardware and software systems and subsystems.
   
   + The Contractor shall comply with all flight regulations, rules, and standards IAW latest version of DCMA INST 8210-1, AR 95-1, USASOC Sup 1 to AR 95-1, FM 3-04.11, 160th RTSOP, and applicable ARSOA series Aircrew Training Manual.
   
   + Perform routine clerical, administrative, and logistics tasks as required in support of the Systems Integration Management Office (SIMO).
   
   Education and Experience:
   
   + Ability to obtain and/or maintain an Interim Secret or Secret security clearance.
   
   + Minimum of 15 years' experience with military rotary wing aircraft.
   
   + Minimum of 8 years' experience with current aircraft and aircraft related technical systems development, architecture and integration.
   
   + Minimum of 3 years' experience in development of systems design, systems applications, developmental and acceptance test including fielding and sustainment.
   
   + Shall be qualified in MH-60 DAP ARSOA rotary wing aircraft.
   
   + Shall be a graduate of DoD course of instruction for Instructor Pilot or Maintenance Test Pilot.
   
   + Minimum flight hours:
   
   + Total Time 2500 hours on rotary wing aircraft
   
   + Minimum of 1500 hours as Pilot In Command (PIC).
   
   + Minimum of 100 hours Night Vision Goggle
   
   + Bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent experience.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right test pilot for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with test pilots they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit test pilots who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your test pilot job on Zippia to find and recruit test pilot candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit test pilots, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new test pilot

   Once you've selected the best test pilot candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new test pilot first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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