Business aviation professionals in the United States saw their average salaries rise by 8% in 2024, according to the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) — a figure twice the national average, though slightly lower than growth seen in previous years.
The data, published in the NBAA’s 2024 Compensation Survey, reflects input from 459 organisations, representing 4,578 aviation-specific employees across 19 job categories.
The findings reveal a significant pay disparity between roles. Chief pilots and senior captains earn nearly twice as much as co-pilots, with bonuses now forming a substantial part of pilot remuneration. On average, bonuses made up 13% of total pay in 2024 — consistent with 2023 and 2022 figures.
Executives at the largest firms, those with over $10 billion in annual sales, received some of the most generous incentives, with bonuses for chief pilots and senior captains accounting for 22% and 20% of their compensation respectively. In contrast, co-pilots at firms generating under $100 million annually typically received just 4% in bonus pay.
Smaller Firms Lead Salary Growth
Interestingly, the smallest companies reported the largest increases in salary budgets, continuing a trend first noted in 2023. Regionally, salary growth was strongest in the Northwest and Southern FAA territories.
In an effort to retain skilled staff, 36% of companies surveyed reported offering retention bonuses. Additionally, 19% provided deferred compensation and 28% offered long-term incentives or equity-based packages.
Top Earnings in New England and Hospitality Sector
The survey also highlighted considerable earning differences based on location and sector. Pilots operating the largest business aircraft earned 40% more than the average across all aircraft types. The hotels and lodging industry reported the highest average pilot salaries — 33% above the national average.
New England emerged as the highest-paying region for pilots, with salaries averaging 31% above the national benchmark. Longevity in the role also plays a key factor; pilots with over a decade at one company typically earned 27% more than average.
Despite a slower pace of increase than recent years, the 2024 figures reaffirm the business aviation sector’s continued resilience and its emphasis on competitive compensation to attract and retain talent.