rouka · compensation intelligenceBenchmark set 6.2 · September 20265,192 roles · 140 regions · 10 sectors
rouka

Private Aviation · Mid · 4 to 12 years typical

Long-haul Driver Salary

Annual base compensation, national and by market, from 257 named sources. Every figure below says where it came from.

National band · annual base
$70,000
P25
$105,000
P50 · median
$160,000
P75
$200,000
P90
MODELED
rouka methodology. Compensation surveys named on the Sources page. Benchmark set version 6.2, September 2026.
By market
MarketMultiplierP25P50P75P90
New York City, NY1.40×$100,000$145,000$225,000$280,000
San Francisco, CA1.30×$90,000$135,000$210,000$260,000
Boston, MA1.25×$90,000$130,000$200,000$250,000
Palm Beach, FL1.25×$90,000$130,000$200,000$250,000
Miami, FL1.23×$85,000$130,000$195,000$245,000
Los Angeles, CA1.20×$85,000$125,000$190,000$240,000
Washington, DC1.20×$85,000$125,000$190,000$240,000
Seattle, WA1.15×$80,000$120,000$185,000$230,000
Chicago, IL1.05×$75,000$110,000$170,000$210,000
Dallas, TX1.00×$70,000$105,000$160,000$200,000
MODELED
Regional multipliers applied to the national band and rounded to the nearest $5,000, the same arithmetic the Brief uses. rouka methodology. Compensation surveys named on the Sources page. Benchmark set version 6.2, September 2026.
Market
Candidate market
Competitive
Scarcity 3.5 of 10
MODELED
rouka methodology
Candidate pool
879 to 1494
active globally
ESTIMATED
rouka search records
Demand
Stable
1% year over year
ESTIMATED
rouka search records
Retention
1.9 yrs
average tenure, 35% annual turnover
ESTIMATED
rouka search records
The package
Base72%
Bonus, performance-based16%
Benefits12%
Signing bonus, in 45% of offers$20,000 to $50,000

Time to fill 8 weeks for comparable searches, estimated from rouka's benchmark set.

Market trend

Used for cross-country re-positioning of vehicles and family logistics

Also known as
Cross-Country DriverLong-Distance ChauffeurInterstate Driver (Private)Travel Driver

What does a Long-haul Driver do?

The Long-haul Driver 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 4 to 12 years of relevant experience. Classified at the Mid level, this position draws from a competitive candidate pool, though specialized qualifications and sector-specific experience remain key differentiators in hiring.

What drives Long-haul Driver compensation?

The median (P50) compensation for a Long-haul Driver is $105,000, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $70,000 to $160,000. The 86% 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 is holding stable, with compensation levels expected to track broader market adjustments.

Long-haul Driver career path

Professionals who move into Long-haul Driver 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 1.9 years, with an annual turnover rate of 35%.

Related roles · Private AviationMedian
Long-haul Driver$105,000
FBO Manager$100,000

Hiring a Long-haul Driver?

A search playbook for this seat: compensation positioning against the band above, the sourcing map, and the interview framework.