Test pilot vs private pilot

The differences between test pilots and private 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 private pilot. Additionally, a private pilot has an average salary of $100,673, which is higher than the $96,060 average annual salary of a test pilot.

The top three skills for a test pilot include FAA, pilot-in-command and aircraft maintenance. The most important skills for a private pilot are FAA, pilot license, and single engine.

Test pilot vs private pilot overview

	Test Pilot	Private Pilot
Yearly salary	$96,060	$100,673
Hourly rate	$46.18	$48.40
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	20,665	5,013
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

Test pilot vs private pilot salary

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

	Test Pilot	Private Pilot
Average salary	$96,060	$100,673
Salary range	Between $67,000 And $137,000	Between $74,000 And $135,000
Highest paying City	Mountain View, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Learjet	-
Best paying industry	Transportation	-

Differences between test pilot and private pilot education

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

	Test Pilot	Private Pilot
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Aviation	Aviation
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Test pilot vs private pilot demographics

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

	Test Pilot	Private Pilot
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%	Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1%
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 private 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.

Private pilot example responsibilities.

Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
Complete FAA certify private private pilot training.
Assist with all aspects of administration, logistics and equipment inventory, ensuring successful financial execution.
Ferry and sightseeing flights done at request of management in accordance with 14 CFR part 91.

Test pilot vs private pilot skills

Common test pilot skills

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

Common private pilot skills

FAA, 59%
Pilot License, 31%
Single Engine, 10%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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