Test pilot vs check airman

The differences between test pilots and check airmen 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 a check airman. Additionally, a test pilot has an average salary of $96,060, which is higher than the $82,530 average annual salary of a check airman.

The top three skills for a test pilot include FAA, pilot-in-command and aircraft maintenance. The most important skills for a check airman are flight training, PIC, and line checks.

Test pilot vs check airman overview

	Test Pilot	Check Airman
Yearly salary	$96,060	$82,530
Hourly rate	$46.18	$39.68
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	20,665	1,042
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

Test pilot vs check airman salary

Test pilots and check airmen have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Test Pilot	Check Airman
Average salary	$96,060	$82,530
Salary range	Between $67,000 And $137,000	Between $64,000 And $105,000
Highest paying City	Mountain View, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Learjet	-
Best paying industry	Transportation	-

Differences between test pilot and check airman education

There are a few differences between a test pilot and a check airman in terms of educational background:

	Test Pilot	Check Airman
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Aviation	Aviation
Most common college	Stanford University	SUNY Farmingdale

Test pilot vs check airman demographics

Here are the differences between test pilots' and check airmen' demographics:

	Test Pilot	Check Airman
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%	Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5%
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, 2.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.9% Asian, 2.7% White, 81.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between test pilot and check airman 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.

Check airman example responsibilities.

Project manage the initial fielding of the RQ-11 tactical UAV system.
Train and educate selected personnel in the emergency reclamation of down aircraft and successfully conduct one combat reclamation of a helicopter.
Oversee flight crewmembers, including co-pilot and flight engineer.

Test pilot vs check airman skills

Common test pilot skills

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

Common check airman skills

Flight Training, 46%
PIC, 12%
Line Checks, 11%
Recurrent Training, 11%
Aircraft Systems, 9%
Airmen, 6%