Table of ContentsShow
The U.S. Air Force Pilot is one of the best jobs in the Air Force. If you’re thinking about flying across the blue sky on national missions, you might want to learn more about the Salary.
Aside from what they earn, many military pilots have fulfilled their lifelong dream of serving their country in the Air Force.
As for the pay, you can make a total of about $53,990.52 a year even as a freshman out of college with fewer than 100 flight hours to your name.
So, if you’re considering joining the Air Force, asking questions about the pay is quite reasonable. No one goes into a battle blindly. And that includes the struggle of your finances.
To get you on track, we’ve provided every detail you need to know about the Air Force Pilot’s Salary in 2023.
RELATED: 25 Best Jobs In Air Force For 2023
What Does It Mean To Be an Air Force Pilot?
A US Air Force Pilot flies aircraft such as fighter jets, bombers, tankers, transport planes, and uncrewed aerial vehicles (known as UAVs) for the United States military.
To be one of those, you must master aviation skills, conduct flight operations from transportation to combat missions, and train and lead flight crews.
SEE ALSO: 25 Best High Paying Jobs in the U.S. Air Force | 2023
What is the Role of the Air Force Pilot?
Air Force pilots are trained to fly military aircraft and operate sophisticated military weapons.
You’ll be the country’s first line of defense. The following are more specific roles of an Air Force Pilot:
- Receivemilitary strategy training.
- Setmission plans and meets with teammates for briefings.
- Inspectand fuel your plane to make sure it’s ready to fly. You are in charge of navigation, surveillance, and rescue operations.
You Might Also Be Interested in Child Life Specialist Salary in the U.S. | How Much Do Child Life Specialists Make in 202?
What is the Average Air Force Pilot Salary in 2023?
We see the average U.S. Air Force Pilot salary as low as $67,411 and as high as $145,003 per year.
Below, you’ll see a summary of U.S. Airforce Pilot Earnings from salary aggregate websites:
| Ziprecruiter | $84,185 |
| Salary.com | $97,988 |
| Indeed.com | $113,806 |
| Comparably | $145,003 |
Check Out: Accenture Consultant Salary in the U.S. | How Much Do Accenture Consultants Make in 2023?
Factors Affecting the Salary of Air Force Pilots in the U.S.
Years of Service
The length of your military service affects your pay. This means that the longer you serve as a military pilot, the more money you’ll make.
The higher your rank as a military pilot, the more money you’ll make. So, it would help if you were willing to put in the time and effort to achieve your optimal military pilot pay.
Rank
Another factor that might affect your pay as a U.S. Air Force Pilot is your rank. Earning a degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly.
For instance, a Graduate Degree in aviation can take four years to complete. According to, Glassdoor, people that have, earned that education typically make $128,479 compared to $73,474 for those without that type of education.
READ ALSO: Epic Project Manager Salary in the U.S. | How Much Do epic Project Manager Make in 2023?
How Much Does an Air Force Pilot Salary Make in the U.S.?
Now that you have learned what could affect your Salary let’s show you the salary breakup by year, month, week, and hour.
How Much Does Air Force Pilot Salary Make A Year in 2023?
Air Force Pilot salaries in the United States range from $26,972 to $708,579, with a median income of $129,635, according to comparably. The top 86 percent earn $708,579.
CLICK TO READ: Architectural Engineering Salary in U.S. | 2023
How Much Does Air Force Pilot Salary Make a Month in 2023?
An Air Force Pilot’s Salary is $5,617 per month, according to Ziprecruiter. This works out to be approximately $32.41 an hour.
Similarly, the earlier comparably yearly earnings give us $2,248 and $26,877.25 when divided by twelve months.
SEE ALSO: Supply Chain Analyst Salary in the U.S. | How Much Do Supply Chain Analysts Make in 2023?
How Much Does Air Force Pilot Salary Make Weekly in 2023?
The weekly earnings of an Air Force Pilot are $1,296. This was gotten from ZipRecruiter’s $5,617 monthly salary.
You might want to compare this with the data from comparably above. We divided the monthly range of $2,248 and $26,877.25 by 4weeks and got a weekly pay of $562 and $6,719.3125.
You Might Want to Check Out: Acupuncturist Salary in U.S. | 2023
How Much Does Air Force Pilot Salary Make Per Hour in 2023?
A US Air Force Pilot’s Salary per hour is approximately $32.41. This is the equivalent of $1,296/week or $5,618/month from ZipRecruiter data.
READ ALSO: Supply Chain Analyst Salary in the U.S. | How Much Do Supply Chain Analysts Make in 2023?
U.S. Air Force Pilot Salary Based on Location
Now that we’re done with the salary breakup let’s see how much you can earn based on location.
What Are The Top Ten Cities With The Highest Salary For Air Force Pilot Jobs?
Below, you’ll find ten cities where the typical Salary for an Air Force Pilot Officer job is above the national average.
Atkinson, NE, is at the top of the list, with Bridgehampton, NY, and Deer Park, CA, closebehind in the second and third positions.
Deer Park, CA, beats the national average by $14,002 (16.6%), and Atkinson, NE, furthers that trend with another $33,720 (40.1%) above the $84,185 average.
With average incomes higher than the national average in these ten places, the potential for economic success as an Air Force Pilot Officer appears to be extremely promising.
Finally, the average pay in these top 10 cities differs only by 24% between Atkinson, NE, and Belgrade, MT emphasizing the little opportunity for wage advancement.
When comparing location and compensation for an Air Force Pilot Officer position, the likelihood of a cheaper cost of living may be the most crucial element to consider.
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atkinson, NE | $117,905 | $9,825 | $2,267 | $56.69 |
| Bridgehampton, NY | $102,131 | $8,510 | $1,964 | $49.10 |
| Deer Park, CA | $98,187 | $8,182 | $1,888 | $47.21 |
| Green River, WY | $96,559 | $8,046 | $1,856 | $46.42 |
| Johnstonville, CA | $95,452 | $7,954 | $1,835 | $45.89 |
| Tacoma, WA | $93,320 | $7,776 | $1,794 | $44.87 |
| Stamford, CT | $93,095 | $7,757 | $1,790 | $44.76 |
| Roslyn Estates, NY | $93,003 | $7,750 | $1,788 | $44.71 |
| Bellevue, WA | $92,497 | $7,708 | $1,778 | $44.47 |
| Belgrade, MT | $91,924 | $7,660 | $1,767 | $44.19 |
CHECH OUT: Senior Analyst Salary in 2023 | How Much Does a Senior Analyst Make?
U.S. Air Force Pilot Salary Based on Level
Remember, your level is another factor that affects how much you can earn.
How Much Does Air Force Pilot Salary Make Based on Entry Level?
Starting as a pilot ranked O-1 with fewer than two years of service. So at entry-level, you’d earn roughly $3,470 per month.
After four years, that would increase to $4,375, then to $5,500 per month after eight years of duty when you reach rank O-2.
SEE ALSO: Histology Technician Salary in the U.S. | How Much Do histology Technicians Make in 2023?
How Much Does Air Force Pilot Salary Make at the Senior Level?
Senior-level Air Force pilot’s Salary after four years would increase to $4,375 and then to $5,500 per month after eight years of duty when they reach rank O-2.
Air Force Pilot Salary Chart
Salary for Air Force Pilot in The U.S. Based on Field
Salaries of Military Pilots, including Air Force Pilots, are the same across the board no matter what kind of military pilot you are.
This means that military helicopter pilot salary, military jet pilot pay, and U.S. military fighter pilot earnings will all be the same for officers of the same rank with the same number of years in the service.
You Might Be Interested in: Plant Manager Salary in the U.S. | How Much Do Plant Managers Make in 2023?
Are Other Benefits of Being an Air Force Pilot Aside From the Salary?
Training
The Air Force offers you up to a year and a half of training. This will equip you before you step into your first assigned aircraft.
In addition, most of your instructors will have combat/deployment experience, and you’ll rarely go more than a few days without flying.
Also, you’ll have near-unlimited access to world-class simulators with instructors to practice whenever you want on that equipment.
Flight Pay
Like other Aircrew members, an Air Force Pilot receives flight pay, also known as Aviation Career Incentive Pay (ACIP).
The incentive starts at a miserly $150 per month but increases to $1,000 at the peak of your flying career.
Although Aircrew members are supposed to receive flight pay only during the months that they perform flight duty, there are some allowances for pilots in non-flying assignments to continue receiving flight pay.
Bas and Bah
Military members receive a Basic Allowance for Sustenance (BAS) and a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from the government (BAH).
These are (great) benefits that come with being a military member. You don’t have to pay taxes on them because they’re “allowances” rather than pay.
Whether you spend that amount each month or not, you get to keep the entire amount of your allowances.
Regardless of rank or service duration, all officers receive the same amount of BAS. It’s meant to cover food expenses. The BAS is $280.29 per month as of 2021 for officers.
BAH is designed to cover the average housing cost in your designated area. Your zip code determines your worth, pay grade, and whether or not you have dependants living with you.
Retirement Funds
The U.S. Government matches Military Officer’s contributions to a retirement account, called a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), up to 5% of your base pay each month.
It is a great retirement plan. You should contribute at least enough to receive the government’s 5% match.
Retention Bonuses
Later in your career, the military may try to convince you to stay by offering you a large sum of money.
If you’re planning on staying anyhow, this is a fantastic offer. But if you’re not sure about surviving, it’s a trap!
The Air Force awarded retention bonuses for pilots ranging from $15,000 to $200,000 on April 6, 2022.
SEE ALSO: Tech Consultant Salary in the U.S. | How Much Do Tech Consultants Make in 2023?
What are Air Force Pilot Job Prospects?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow by 13% from 2020 to 2030. This is faster than the average for all occupations.
In addition, about 14,500 openings for airline and commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Specifically, The U.S. Air Force is one of the most prestigious places of work. Aside from handling matters of national security, the Armed Force offers many other job opportunities for U.S. Citizens.
Conclusion
The U.S. Air Force Pilot is a respected position, the pay might not add you to Forbe’s billionaire list but it does pay well in its category.
In addition, it’s a challenging but rewarding position that also prepares you for civilian life after service as there are many commercial airlines where you can work.
How much money does a US Air Force pilot make?
Air Force Pilot salaries in the United States range from $26,972 to $708,579, with a median income of $129,635, according to comparably.com.
How much do pilots earn per month in the USA?
There are monthly salaries as high as $12,583 and as low as $1,583. However, the majority of Airline Pilot salaries currently range between $2,667 (25th percentile) to $6,167 (75th percentile) across the United States.
Which country pays pilots the most?
Top 6 Highest Paying Countries for Aviation Jobs in the World
- Qatar – Average monthly Salary of $18,333.
- UAE – Monthly average Salary of $16,666.
- Netherlands – Average monthly Salary $20416.
- France – Average monthly Salary of $19583.
- Ireland – Average monthly Salary $18750.
- Canada – Average monthly Salary is $18750.
Is pilot a high-paying job in the USA?
As a result, commercial pilots are paid well. According to The Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Salary for commercial pilots is $134,630 per year, which was the average annual wage in 2021.
How much money does a US Air Force pilot make?
Air Force Pilot salaries in the United States range from $26,972 to $708,579, with a median income of $129,635, according to comparably.com.
How much do pilots earn per month in USA?
There are monthly salaries as high as $12,583 and as low as $1,583. However, the majority of Airline Pilot salaries currently range between $2,667 (25th percentile) to $6,167 (75th percentile) across the United States.
Which country pays pilots the most?
Top 6 Highest Paying Countries for Aviation Jobs in the World
- Qatar – Average monthly Salary of $18,333.
- UAE – Monthly average Salary of $16,666.
- Netherlands – Average monthly Salary $20416.
- France – Average monthly Salary of $19583.
- Ireland – Average monthly Salary $18750.
- Canada – Average monthly Salary is $18750.
Is pilot a high paying job in USA?
As a result, commercial pilots are paid well. According to The Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Salary for commercial pilots is $134,630 per year, which was the average annual wage in 2021.
References
- www.comparably.com – Us Air Force Pilot Salary
- www.glassdoor.com – Air Force Pilot Career Path
- www.indeed.com – Pilot yearly salaries in the United States at U.S. Air Force
Recommendations
- Child Life Specialist Salary in the U.S. | How Much Do Child Life Specialists Make in 2023?
- Pharmacist Salary in Georgia | How Much Do Pharmacists Make in Georgia?
- Nurse Manager Salary in U.S. | 2023
- Epic Project Manager Salary in the U.S. | How Much Do epic Project Managers Make in 2023?
- Architectural Engineering Salary in U.S. | 2023
- Supply Chain Analyst Salary in the U.S. | How Much Do Supply Chain Analyst Make in 2023?
- Freight Broker Salary in the U.S. | How Much Do Freight Brokers Make in 2023?
Related
FAQs
Air Force Pilot Salary in the US | How Much Do Air Force Pilots Make in 2023? - ( Updated)? ›
$88,781. The estimated total pay for a Air Force Fighter Pilot is $88,781 per year in the United States area, with an average salary of $80,600 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users.
How much money does a US Air Force pilot make? ›Average U.S. Air Force Pilot yearly pay in the United States is approximately $101,240, which is 56% above the national average.
What is the highest salary of a Air Force pilot? ›Indian Air Force Pilot salary in India ranges between ₹ 2.0 Lakhs to ₹ 35.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 17.3 Lakhs. Salary estimates are based on 10 Indian Air Force latest salaries received from various employees of Indian Air Force.
How much does a retired Air Force pilot make? ›...
The Old System.
| O-5 – 20+ Years | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $9,243.60 | $110,923.20 |
| Flight Pay | $1,000.00 | $12,000.00 |
| BAS | $254.39 | $3,052.68 |
| BAH | $1,968.00 | $23,616.00 |
The USAF pilot bonus for 2022 is $35,000 annually for 3-12 year options. The total value of the bonus is $105,000 to $420,000. You can earn $100,000 up-front if you take a 5-7 year contract or $200,000 if you take a 8-12 year contract.
What is the maximum salary of pilot in USA? ›Annual Pilot Salary Range
According to The May 2021 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary for commercial pilots is $99,640 per year. The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers is $202,180.
The average Fighter Pilot salary is $98,377 as of May 01, 2023, but the salary range typically falls between $86,924 and $110,663. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Which Air Force pays the most? ›Pilot: Pilots are often the highest-paid members of the Air Force. They fly aircraft of all types, including fighters, bombers, cargo, and reconnaissance aircraft. The salary range for pilots is between $97,000 and $150,000 per year. 3.
What is the max age for Air Force pilot? ›Applicants must achieve qualifying scores on the AFOQT exam, meet all requirements and pass a selection board prior to age 33. A final determination on your eligibility will be reached by working with a recruiter through the full application process.
Is there a high demand for Air Force pilots? ›The Air Force has experienced a shortage of between 1,800 and 2,100 pilots annually over the past seven years. Slife said there is no magic bullet to convince pilots to stay with the service, and there is no way to grow a “ten-year fighter pilot” in less than 10 years.
How much is 20 year Air Force retirement? ›
Defined Benefit: Monthly retired pay for life after at least 20 years of service (so if you retire at 20 years of service, you will get 40% of your highest 36 months of base pay). Retired pay will be calculated as follows: (Years of creditable service x 2.0%) x average of highest 36 months basic pay.
How long does it take to become an Air Force pilot? ›Typical timeline to begin training is 6-12 months and OTS, IFS, and SUPT will take approximately 18 months. After completion of SUPT, new pilots will attend Land and Water Survival at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. These two courses take approximately three weeks to complete.
What rank are Air Force pilots? ›That means that most military pilots fall somewhere between ranks O-1 and O-5, depending on how many years they've been in the service.
What is the Air Force pilot retention bonus for 2023? ›highlighted a section in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act directing the Air Force to establish a demonstration program to offer bonuses worth up to $50,000 annually and/or guaranteed future assignment locations to sweeten the pot.
Do fighter pilots get free housing? ›Like much of the military, pilots get free housing on a base or a housing allowance, plus health care. In addition, fighter pilots can receive retention bonuses for staying in the service.
What benefits do Air Force pilots get? ›- Excellent, low-cost/no-cost insurance rates.
- Comprehensive medical and dental care.
- Full pay and allowance for sick days.
- Low-cost life insurance.
The average Delta Airlines pilot earns $192,000 with top-earners making $526,000. American Airlines pilots earn an average salary of $118,000, with some pilots earning in excess of $700,000.
What type of pilot gets paid the most? ›- Chief Pilot. Salary range: $84,500-$119,000 per year. ...
- Helicopter Pilot. Salary range: $89,000-$104,000 per year. ...
- Private Pilot. Salary range: $52,000-$100,000 per year. ...
- Corporate Pilot. Salary range: $71,000-$100,000 per year. ...
- Air Charter Pilot. ...
- Airline Pilot. ...
- Assistant Chief Pilot. ...
- Commercial Pilot.
Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Singapore Airlines are commercial airlines that pay the highest pilot salaries.
What is the highest paying job in the US Air Force? ›Pilot: Pilots are often the highest-paid members of the Air Force. They fly aircraft of all types, including fighters, bombers, cargo, and reconnaissance aircraft. The salary range for pilots is between $97,000 and $150,000 per year.
How much money does an Air Force pilot make a month? ›
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Fremont, CA | $113,524 | $9,460 |
| Oakland, CA | $112,794 | $9,399 |
| Marysville, WA | $112,300 | $9,358 |
| Jersey City, NJ | $111,686 | $9,307 |
Pilots incur a 10-year service commitment from the date they complete training and are awarded an aeronautical rating. Airmen in these roles are evaluated for continued service one year to 18 months before the completion of this commitment.
Is it hard to become an Air Force pilot? ›It is very difficult to become an Air Force Pilot. You need not only a high-grade point average, but also you must be physically and mentally fit, complete several educational and training scenarios, and be between the ages of 22 and 28. In fact, for every 1,000 applicants who apply, only 3 become air force pilots.