Private Aviation · Mid
Relief Pilot / SIC Salary
Compensation benchmarks from 255 verified sources including industry surveys, published reports, and market intelligence.
National Compensation Range
P25
$75,000
25th percentile
P50
$100,000
Median
P75
$135,000
75th percentile
CANDIDATE MARKET
Competitive
Scarcity: 5/10
EST. CANDIDATE POOL
60-150
Active candidates globally
DEMAND TREND
Stable
8% year-over-year
RETENTION
3 yr avg tenure
20% annual turnover
Relief Pilot / SIC Salary by City
Median (P50) adjusted for metro cost of labor.
Market Trends
NBAA added ultra-long-range SIC category in 2025.
Also Known As
Second in Command, First Officer (Private), Co-Pilot (Private Jet), Relief Captain (Aviation)
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 0.08% 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%.
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