Private Aviation · Mid · 3 to 6 years typical
Relief Pilot / SIC Salary
Annual base compensation, national and by market, from 258 named sources. Every figure below says where it came from.
| Market | Multiplier | P25 | P50 | P75 | P90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY | 1.40× | $105,000 | $145,000 | $190,000 | $235,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1.30× | $100,000 | $135,000 | $175,000 | $220,000 |
| Boston, MA | 1.25× | $95,000 | $130,000 | $170,000 | $210,000 |
| Palm Beach, FL | 1.25× | $95,000 | $130,000 | $170,000 | $210,000 |
| Miami, FL | 1.23× | $90,000 | $125,000 | $165,000 | $205,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 1.20× | $90,000 | $120,000 | $160,000 | $205,000 |
| Washington, DC | 1.20× | $90,000 | $120,000 | $160,000 | $205,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 1.15× | $85,000 | $115,000 | $155,000 | $195,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 1.05× | $80,000 | $105,000 | $140,000 | $175,000 |
| Dallas, TX | 1.00× | $75,000 | $100,000 | $135,000 | $170,000 |
Time to fill 10 weeks for comparable searches, estimated from rouka's benchmark set.
NBAA added ultra-long-range SIC category in 2025.
What does a Relief Pilot / SIC do?
The Relief Pilot / SIC 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 3 to 6 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 Relief Pilot / SIC compensation?
The median (P50) compensation for a Relief Pilot / SIC is $100,000, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $75,000 to $135,000. The 59% 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 8% year-over-year growth, which is putting upward pressure on compensation at all levels.
Relief Pilot / SIC career path
Professionals who move into Relief Pilot / SIC 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 3 years, with an annual turnover rate of 20%.
Hiring a Relief Pilot / SIC?
A search playbook for this seat: compensation positioning against the band above, the sourcing map, and the interview framework.