Test pilot vs commercial pilot

The differences between test pilots and commercial pilots 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 commercial pilot. Additionally, a test pilot has an average salary of $96,060, which is higher than the $94,406 average annual salary of a commercial pilot.

The top three skills for a test pilot include FAA, pilot-in-command and aircraft maintenance. The most important skills for a commercial pilot are FAA, flight operations, and pilot-in-command.

Test pilot vs commercial pilot overview

	Test Pilot	Commercial Pilot
Yearly salary	$96,060	$94,406
Hourly rate	$46.18	$45.39
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	20,665	29,118
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

Test pilot vs commercial pilot salary

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

	Test Pilot	Commercial Pilot
Average salary	$96,060	$94,406
Salary range	Between $67,000 And $137,000	Between $63,000 And $139,000
Highest paying City	Mountain View, CA	Jackson, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Learjet	Realty World California
Best paying industry	Transportation	Manufacturing

Differences between test pilot and commercial pilot education

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

	Test Pilot	Commercial Pilot
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common major	Aviation	Aviation
Most common college	Stanford University	SUNY Farmingdale

Test pilot vs commercial pilot demographics

Here are the differences between test pilots' and commercial pilots' demographics:

	Test Pilot	Commercial Pilot
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%	Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1%
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, 2.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between test pilot and commercial pilot 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.

Commercial pilot example responsibilities.

Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
Instruct pilots in recurrent flight training and grind school for aircraft systems, FAA regulations, company policies and procedures.
Grind school, IFR and advance simulator training.
Monitor and ensure compliance with establish policies, directives, and FAA operation specifications.
Assist with all aspects of administration, logistics and equipment inventory, ensuring successful financial execution.
Arm airborne helicopter escort and SAR operations.

Test pilot vs commercial pilot skills

Common test pilot skills

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

Common commercial pilot skills

FAA, 24%
Flight Operations, 12%
Pilot-In-Command, 11%
PIC, 11%
Flight Planning, 6%
Customer Service, 6%

Test Pilot vs. similar jobs

Test Pilot related careers

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What similar roles do

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Transportation Industry
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Test Pilot vs Commercial Pilot

Updated January 8, 2025

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