Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 12/3/2009

Question
i was wondering how much fighter pilots get payed. i am a female so i know it'll be hard to become a fighter pilot but i have wanted to be one my whole life so i'm going to try my hardest. but anyway, how much do they get payed? i have to a report in school about what i want to be when i grow up and i chose a fighter pilot. please help me!

                                with wishes,
                            Angel Stringer  

Answer
Dear Angel --

Fighter pilots are paid based on their rank and time in service.  They also receive pilot specialty pay which increases their salary significantly.

However, that is the same pay that any other military pilot at the same rank and time of service makes.  Fighter pilots do not make more money flying for the military than other military pilots.

To see what military members are paid for their rank and time in service, you would have to look at the pay tables.  I have attached the link for this year's pay table below:

http://www.dfas.mil/militarypay/militarypaytables/2009MilitaryPayTables.pdf

Please remember that pilots also get a pilot's bonus each month.  Look at page three of the above site to see the aviation career incentive pay.

Good luck with your project and your goal to be a fighter pilot.