From supersonic jet fighters to rescue aircraft, naval aviators operate as flight officers or pilots. As the tasks are backbreaking and strenuous, their salaries are eligible to be shown in the officer section of the military wage tables. Want to be paid to soar through the air? This career path could seem like an excellent choice.
Further, due to the potentially dangerous nature of their jobs and the rigorous standards of navy aviation, they deserved special compensation, bonuses, and incentives. If you are considering the navy pilot profession, navy pilot pay information could initially sound quite alluring to you.
Before you go to the skies, it’s crucial to comprehend how much navy pilots make or how navy pay scales operate. Specifically, the salary of a navy pilot is determined by rank and years of service. Let’s find out more about the additional aspects that determine the naval pilot’s salary in this blog post.
Is It Better To Have Flight Pay Or Hazard Pay?
Hazard pay is considered incentive pay, which is based on the inherent dangers and risks of bodily injury whilst performing a navy pilot’s duty. The flight pay monthly rate is determined by duty to account for how much qualifying service the member performs during the month.
Hazardous pay or incentive pay is also referred to colloquially as flight pay. Furthermore, this approach is thought to be the most effective way to raise your monthly salary as a navy pilot. As the US Defense Department reported in 2020, Navy pilots who are performing their duty in artillery fire regions will be eligible for an additional salary of $225 per month.
To get incentive pay, navy flight officers and pilots must be stationed somewhere where they could be subject to enemy fire or are in immediate danger of suffering physical injury from terrorist acts. It is important to note that basic allowances and navy flight pay are not the same things (any navy pilot can get a basic allowance).
How Much Do Navy Pilots Make?
It’s incredibly challenging to pinpoint an exact salary figure for any profession. Even within the same profession, the truth is that wages can differ greatly due to an abundance of factors. Similarly, the pay of two pilots who have the same post and the same duties may vary due to their distinct geographic locations.
According to a survey by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the average yearly compensation for pilots is $105,720. The Navy is concerned that the promise of greater pay and lifestyle would entice aviators to the corporate sector, which is why the navy industry provides their pilots incentives and allowances.
According to the 2018 navy pay scales, navy pilots make an annual salary of $75,000 to $85,000 after finishing flight school. Additionally, navy pilot wages in the US are between $60,770 and $187,200, with a typical pay of $117,290. Further, the top 80% of naval fighter aviators earn $187,200 a year, with the middle 60% earning $117,290.
Two fundamental allowances that are potentially available to all military officers are housing and subsistence. The basic housing stipend for Navy pilots who reside off base varies by rank and duty station. If you are a first officer, you’ll probably get a minimum amount as a basic allowance. Or, you will most likely receive the maximum basic allowance if you are a captain pilot.
To learn how this payment varies depending on rank and location, you may use the Housing Calculator provided by the Defense Department. According to DFAS’s 2020 Basic Allowance Chart, all pilots are qualified to receive the basic allowance for subsistence, which will pay $257 per month.
Do Navy Pilots Receive Rewards?
The bonus can either be paid to the navy pilots in equal annual installments throughout the agreement, or they can choose to get half of it up front and the remaining amount in equal payments throughout the remaining time. The bonuses are distributed in two phases.
First of all, during the first 15 years of your active service, you are eligible for a bonus that ranges from $15,000 to $125,000. Second, you can receive a bonus in the same range for the next 20 or 22 years of service.
How Does Navy Pilots’ Pay Change?
The factors that affect how much navy pilots make are discussed here, including some of the more obvious ones like education and experience level, as well as some of the less visible ones like performance reviews and shift differentials.
Well-Experienced:
The adage “experience is the best teacher” is accurate. The amount of money that pilots make is greatly influenced by experience. If you seek a navy pilot position with a higher level of schooling, you will eventually be paid. Not even a high wage, experience also brings a reputation.
Additionally, the rank or position you receive in the navy is determined by your experience. If you have a good education and sufficient experience, you will probably be promoted to captain. On the other hand, you will probably get hired as a first officer pilot if you have the required normal degree in school but lack experience.
Exclusive Education:
Education is still profitable. As per the 2013 report, the U.S. BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) demonstrates that pilots’ earning potential rises with each degree of education they complete. Similarly, gaining additional education will enable you to earn more money and give you access to getting a high rank in the navy.
Your income will typically be impacted by how well your education matches the typical requirements of your position. Furthermore, salaries might be impacted by the educational quality, such as a four-year degree from an accredited college is crucial for the navy industry. Therefore, if a person receives a four-year degree from an institution with a poor reputation, it is likely that they will not be considered for a pilot post.
Geographical Perspective:
Unsurprisingly, one of the key determinants of how much navy pilots make is where they live. For instance, a navy pilot employed in the United States can anticipate making about $88,898 a year. However, the same naval pilot will earn slightly more than $159,701 annually.
Generally speaking, incomes will be higher in places like Chicago, New York, and San Francisco than they will be in more rural regions. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that living expenses are significantly lower in undeveloped and underdeveloped countries. This is why salaries for navy pilots may differ.
Evaluating Performance:
Many businesses determine the amount of money they’re prepared to pay an employee based on an examination of performance. Similarly, the Navy Force promotes its officers from low rank to high rank. Performance reviews could be especially crucial for current pilots who seem to be up for a wage increase or promotion.
For instance, you are a non-commissioned officer who has performed your duties admirably for a prolonged time. You’ll likely get promoted from a non-commissioned officer to a senior commissioned officer after some time. Additionally, if you are a junior pilot, the navy industry would likely elevate you to a senior position after reviewing your performance.
How To Become A Navy Pilot?
If you’ve made up your mind to join the navy after viewing the handsome salary, for that purpose, I’ve come across a few things that will assist you to achieve your dream in this blog article. Let’s get down to the details:
Bachelor’s Degree:
You need a four-year degree from a reputable and approved college to join the navy. This degree can be obtained from any public university or college, or you can attend the Naval Academy in Maryland to further your studies. Although it’s not necessary, many prospective navy pilots choose to get a degree in the discipline of science or technology.
Aviation Selection:
As every profession requires some initial test, similarly, the navy pilot profession also requires an initial aviation selection test. To join the navy, you must pass the ASTB (Aviation Selection Test Battery). There are five main portions of this test, including sections on nautical and aviation knowledge, spatial awareness, mechanical comprehension, and verbal and mathematical skills.
Flight School:
You must undergo an introductory pilot assessment unless you currently hold a recreational or private pilot’s license or have accomplished a single cross-country flight. Aspiring Navy aviators must undergo 25 hours of training at an approved flying school as part of the initial flight screening. Following the initial flying screening, candidates must spend six weeks studying navigation, aerodynamics, and engine operation.
