Methodology
This survey was distributed widely through use of email, social media, websites, and our magazine. All pilots were encouraged to participate. An online third-party survey company was used as the medium for survey completion, data collection, and analytics. Some overall totals will not add to 100% due to rounding, and on some questions due to the option to choose more than one answer.
As in any survey, there will be certain considerations and assumptions that must be made when analyzing and tabulating data. Some of our considerations and assumptions were:
•
This survey is designed to report 2024 data, which is the most recent full tax year.
• We implemented the survey in early 2025 during the time when pilots were filing tax returns for 2024.
• We assume that respondents are aware of their own compensation and benefits in enough detail to answer the survey questions accurately.
How to Read the Numbers
For any category of data, we try to consistently present three pieces of information:
1. Gross Salary Ranges: L = Low / M = Median / H = High
2. The numerical value range in annual USD. Example: 60+-70K = $60,001 to $70,000 per year
3. The percent (%) of respondents who make up the L, M, or H ranges in a category
FOR EXAMPLE: L 60K+-70K (10%) means the low salary range in the category is $60,000 to $70,000 and 10% of respondents make up the low range in that category.
INSIGHT: In 2024 the largest percentage of pilots in the industry grossed between $110,000 to $200,000 per year, up 10% from 2023.
Differences Between Base and Gross Pay
It’s clear that overall gross and base pay have increased over the years for helicopter pilots. However, when you strip away the overtime and incentives, the base pay numbers are a bit lower across the industry. This is especially true in the sector of helicopter air ambulance (HAA), where four-pilot bases may be short staffed, and pilots regularly work overtime shifts. For example, specifically in HAA, 82% of the pilots earned an extra $9,000 to $20,000+ in overtime and incentives. Of that 82%, a full 48% earned more than $20,000!
48 Mar/Apr 2025 Gross Salary ranges in overall industry
THE SURVEY RESULTS BASE Salary ranges in overall industry
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