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The differences between test pilots and astronauts 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 astronaut. Additionally, a test pilot has an average salary of $96,060, which is higher than the $73,142 average annual salary of an astronaut.
| Test Pilot | Astronaut | |
| Yearly salary | $96,060 | $73,142 |
| Hourly rate | $46.18 | $35.16 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 20,665 | 198 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 100% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Test pilots and astronauts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Pilot | Astronaut | |
| Average salary | $96,060 | $73,142 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $137,000 | Between $47,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Learjet | - |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | - |
There are a few differences between a test pilot and an astronaut in terms of educational background:
| Test Pilot | Astronaut | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 100% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aerospace Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Texas at Austin |
Here are the differences between test pilots' and astronauts' demographics:
| Test Pilot | Astronaut | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7% | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% |
| 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, 2.2% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 5.2% Asian, 2.5% White, 84.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |