THE SURVEY RESULTS Salary ranges in overall industry
INSIGHT: In 2019, the largest percentage of pilots in the industry grossed between $76,000 and $90,000 per year. INSIGHT: Median salaries have risen in the industry. The median salary for all pilots responding to the survey was $100,000 per year which represents a $25,000 increase since 2014.
Key Drivers
In 2019 we saw a very slight upward shift in median salaries for certain groups of helicopter pilots. This was the result of a continuation of a tightening labor market. Competition for supply coming from both the military (which was letting fewer pilots out) as well as the airlines successfully attracted experienced helicopter pilots from both civil and military ranks.
INSIGHT: Similar to 2018, fending off the “pull of the airlines” posed a serious challenge for the helicopter industry all the way through 2019 and up to February 2020, as employers lost many more seasoned pilots seeking better pay, benefits, and schedules.
Additionally, for several years now, there has been a deficit of new pilots entering the U.S. market as compared to those who are becoming inactive or retiring. If you want more proof of the shortage, look no further than the joint report titled Rotorcraft Pilot and Mechanic Supply Forecast produced by the University of North Dakota and the Helicopter Association International that was published in 2018. In the executive summary it states:
“Regarding helicopter pilots, this forecast indicates there will be a likely cumulative shortage of 7,649 pilots between 2018 and 2036 in the United States alone. While difficult to quantify, this effect will likely extend worldwide. In collected survey data of over 200 helicopter companies and operators, over 50% of respondents are already reporting it has become harder to find qualified helicopter pilots in the most recent year. Over 63% believe it will become increasingly difficult to find qualified helicopter pilots over the next five years; and, over 53% believe their inability to find qualified pilots will likely result in curtailing any growth plans their company may have had.”
78 May/June 2020 salaries have risen
Beginning in 2015, the tightening pilot labor pool led to a “group rise” in salaries, but that seems to have hit a plateau. Although it appears that the majority group of line pilots remained in the $76K to $110K per year gross pay range from years 2017 to 2018, the trend of higher pay continued as the line pilot group in the next gross pay range of $110k to $130K grew to 13% in 2019, up from 6% in 2017.
• 2015: 47% of pilots made between $40k to $75K
• 2016: 33% of pilots made between $60k to $90K
• 2017: 40% of pilots made between $76k to $110K
• 2018: 40% of pilots made between $76k to $110K
• 2019: 43% of pilots made between $76k to $110K
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