The qualifications needed to start a career as a flight test engineer are a bachelor’s degree in aerospace, electrical, or mechanical engineering. Some employers may prefer a master’s degree, but practical experience in the field can make up for less education. As a flight test engineer, your responsibilities are to conduct tests on various aircraft and make sure they meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) performance regulations. Your job duties include establishing test criteria, planning and conducting test flights for different types of aircraft, and analyzing data from these tests. Your job involves collaboration with pilots and other aviation experts. You can find flight test engineer jobs with aerospace companies and the military.

If you are interested in a job related to Flight Test Engineer, here are some popular related job searches with the most open positions on ZipRecruiter.

Top Types Of Flight Test Engineer Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying Flight Test Engineer positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

Entry Level Flight Test Engineer
Salary range: $105,500 - $160,000
Entry Level Flight Test Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Entry Level Flight Test Engineer jobs pay between $105,500 (25th percentile) and $160,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Entry Level Flight Test Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Contract Flight Test Engineer
Salary range: $105,500 - $160,000
Contract Flight Test Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Contract Flight Test Engineer jobs pay between $105,500 (25th percentile) and $160,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Contract Flight Test Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Contract Aircrew Flight Equipment Civilian
Salary range: $71,000 - $102,000
Contract Aircrew Flight Equipment Civilian is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Contract Aircrew Flight Equipment Civilian jobs pay between $71,000 (25th percentile) and $102,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Contract Aircrew Flight Equipment Civilian job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Airship Pilot
Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000
Airship Pilot is a typical job search query Most salaries for Airship Pilot jobs pay between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $155,000 (75th percentile) annually. There are plenty of open positions nationwide for Airship Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Flight Test Instrumentation
Salary range: $100,000 - $130,000
Flight Test Instrumentation is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Flight Test Instrumentation jobs pay between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $130,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Flight Test Instrumentation job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Experimental Test Pilot
Salary range: $84,500 - $107,500
Experimental Test Pilot is a typical job search query Most salaries for Experimental Test Pilot jobs pay between $84,500 (25th percentile) and $107,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Experimental Test Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Flight Engineer
Salary range: $95,000 - $115,000
As a flight engineer, it is your job to monitor an airplane’s instrument systems during flight. Your main duties are to regulate cabin pressure, communicate with dispatchers, oversee fuel use, and assist the pilot. The career requires aviation experience as well as a flight engineer (FE) license from the Federal Aviation Administration. Most commercial airlines require additional qualifications such as a bachelor’s degree in aviation. You must receive regular training throughout your career to keep your license.
Entry Level Aerospace Test Engineer
Salary range: $69,500 - $109,000
Entry Level Aerospace Test Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Entry Level Aerospace Test Engineer jobs pay between $69,500 (25th percentile) and $109,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Entry Level Aerospace Test Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Flight Test Engineer Remote
Salary range: $105,500 - $160,000
Flight Test Engineer Remote is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Flight Test Engineer Remote jobs pay between $105,500 (25th percentile) and $160,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Flight Test Engineer Remote job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Flight Crews Unlimited
Salary range: $55,000 - $74,500
Flight Crews Unlimited is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Flight Crews Unlimited jobs pay between $55,000 (25th percentile) and $74,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Flight Crews Unlimited job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

All Jobs Flight Test Engineer Jobs 10 of the Most Popular Types of Flight Test Engineer Jobs in 2026