Test pilot vs air ambulance captain

The differences between test pilots and air ambulance captains can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a test pilot and an air ambulance captain. Additionally, a test pilot has an average salary of $96,060, which is higher than the $50,651 average annual salary of an air ambulance captain.

The top three skills for a test pilot include FAA, pilot-in-command and aircraft maintenance. The most important skills for an air ambulance captain are FAA, EMS, and single pilot.

Test pilot vs air ambulance captain overview

	Test Pilot	Air Ambulance Captain
Yearly salary	$96,060	$50,651
Hourly rate	$46.18	$24.35
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	20,665	3,881
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

Test pilot vs air ambulance captain salary

Test pilots and air ambulance captains have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Test Pilot	Air Ambulance Captain
Average salary	$96,060	$50,651
Salary range	Between $67,000 And $137,000	Between $33,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	Mountain View, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Learjet	-
Best paying industry	Transportation	-

Differences between test pilot and air ambulance captain education

There are a few differences between a test pilot and an air ambulance captain in terms of educational background:

	Test Pilot	Air Ambulance Captain
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common major	Aviation	Aviation
Most common college	Stanford University	SUNY Farmingdale

Test pilot vs air ambulance captain demographics

Here are the differences between test pilots' and air ambulance captains' demographics:

	Test Pilot	Air Ambulance Captain
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%	Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 2.7% White, 82.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between test pilot and air ambulance captain duties and responsibilities

Test pilot example 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.

Air ambulance captain example responsibilities.

Lead a platoon that earn numerous awards for jamming opposition force artillery nets and conducting counterattacks on opposition electronic warfare platoons.
Direct the installation, operation and maintenance of military radio and telecommunications assets for combat infantry units and fix telephone facilities.
Perform pre-flight inspections along with pilots before every mission ensuring full combat capability of aircraft.

Test pilot vs air ambulance captain skills

Common test pilot skills

FAA, 26%
Pilot-In-Command, 12%
Aircraft Maintenance, 8%
Logistics, 6%
Flight Operations, 6%
Aircraft Systems, 5%

Common air ambulance captain skills

FAA, 56%
EMS, 32%
Single Pilot, 6%
Lear, 3%
Patient Care, 2%

Test Pilot vs. similar jobs

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Test Pilot
Test Pilot vs Air Ambulance Captain

Updated January 8, 2025

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