Private Aviation · Senior
Check Airman / Type Rating Instructor Salary
Compensation benchmarks from 255 verified sources including industry surveys, published reports, and market intelligence.
National Compensation Range
P25
$130,000
25th percentile
P50
$180,000
Median
P75
$255,000
75th percentile
CANDIDATE MARKET
Very Tight
Scarcity: 7.5/10
EST. CANDIDATE POOL
15-40
Active candidates globally
DEMAND TREND
Stable
10% year-over-year
RETENTION
6 yr avg tenure
8% annual turnover
Check Airman / Type Rating Instructor Salary by City
Median (P50) adjusted for metro cost of labor.
Market Trends
Severe shortage mirrors pilot shortage; experienced check airmen retiring faster than pipeline replacement
Also Known As
Check Pilot, Type Rating Examiner, TRI/TRE (Private Aviation), Standards Captain
What Does a Check Airman / Type Rating Instructor Do?
The Check Airman / Type Rating Instructor operates in private aviation operations, managing aircraft, flight crews, and aviation logistics for principals, charter operators, or fractional ownership programs. Professionals in this role typically bring 12 to 20 years of relevant experience. Classified at the Senior level, this position draws from a very tight candidate market with an estimated pool of 15-40 qualified professionals, making targeted sourcing and competitive compensation critical for successful placements.
What Drives Check Airman / Type Rating Instructor Compensation?
The median (P50) compensation for a Check Airman / Type Rating Instructor is $180,000, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $130,000 to $255,000. The 69% spread between P25 and P75 reflects significant pay variation driven by aircraft type and fleet size, flight hours, type ratings held, international operating experience, Part 91 vs. Part 135 operations, and the principal's travel frequency. Demand for this role is trending upward with 0.1% year-over-year growth, which is putting upward pressure on compensation at all levels.
Check Airman / Type Rating Instructor Career Path
Professionals who move into Check Airman / Type Rating Instructor roles most commonly come from commercial aviation, military flight operations, or corporate flight departments. From this position, the typical trajectory leads toward chief pilot positions, director of aviation, aviation management company leadership, or fleet management for multi-aircraft operations. The average tenure in this role is approximately 6 years, with an annual turnover rate of 8%.
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