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The differences between test pilots and pilot 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 a pilot captain. Additionally, a test pilot has an average salary of $96,060, which is higher than the $68,096 average annual salary of a pilot captain.
The top three skills for a test pilot include FAA, pilot-in-command and aircraft maintenance. The most important skills for a pilot captain are PIC, FAA, and IFR.
| Test Pilot | Pilot Captain | |
| Yearly salary | $96,060 | $68,096 |
| Hourly rate | $46.18 | $32.74 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 20,665 | 5,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A test pilot operates and evaluates aircraft to determine its quality and safety. Their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing aircraft data and specifications, assessing the aircraft's features, documenting every procedure, and making a list of recommendations to improve the aircraft's overall quality and performance. They may also evaluate various instruments and systems, performing maintenance checks as necessary. Being a test pilot requires expertise and skills, which is my most test pilots are employed under government agencies and have undergone special training.
A pilot captain is an experienced pilot who is primarily responsible for the flight, passengers, and crew. As the pilot with the highest authority in an aircraft, they are in charge of ensuring that all necessary procedures and safety checks are carried out before, during, and after flights. It is also their duty to conduct weather and flight plan checks, coordinate with air-traffic controllers and airport personnel while working together with co-pilots, and addressing issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently.
Test pilots and pilot captains have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Pilot | Pilot Captain | |
| Average salary | $96,060 | $68,096 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $137,000 | Between $57,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Learjet | Wiggins Airways |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a test pilot and a pilot captain in terms of educational background:
| Test Pilot | Pilot Captain | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Aviation |
| Most common college | Stanford University | SUNY Farmingdale |
Here are the differences between test pilots' and pilot captains' demographics:
| Test Pilot | Pilot Captain | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7% | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% |
| 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, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |