Army Helicopter Pilot Salary And Pay Breakdown

Becoming an army helicopter pilot is a challenging and rewarding career path that requires a great deal of skill, dedication, and hard work. Not only do army helicopter pilots have the opportunity to serve their country, but they also receive a competitive salary and benefits package. In this article, we will take a closer look at the army helicopter pilot salary and pay breakdown, including the factors that affect their compensation.

Army Helicopter Pilot Salary: What to Expect

The salary for an army helicopter pilot can vary depending on their rank, experience, and location. According to the United States Army's website, the base pay for an army helicopter pilot can range from around $40,000 to over $100,000 per year. However, this is just the base pay, and army helicopter pilots can earn additional forms of compensation, such as allowances and bonuses.

Base Pay: The Foundation of an Army Helicopter Pilot's Salary

The base pay for an army helicopter pilot is determined by their rank and time in service. The higher the rank and the more time in service, the higher the base pay. Here is a breakdown of the base pay for army helicopter pilots by rank:

Second Lieutenant (O-1): $40,325 - $63,425 per year
First Lieutenant (O-2): $44,251 - $73,901 per year
Captain (O-3): $53,241 - $92,471 per year
Major (O-4): $66,461 - $114,671 per year
Lieutenant Colonel (O-5): $81,441 - $139,551 per year
Colonel (O-6): $97,441 - $164,561 per year

Allowances: Additional Forms of Compensation

In addition to base pay, army helicopter pilots can earn allowances, which are forms of compensation that are designed to help offset the costs of living and working in certain locations. Some common allowances for army helicopter pilots include:

Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS): This allowance is designed to help offset the cost of food and is paid to all army personnel.
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH): This allowance is designed to help offset the cost of housing and is paid to army personnel who do not live in government-provided housing.
Cost of Living Allowance (COLA): This allowance is designed to help offset the cost of living in certain locations, such as Alaska or Hawaii.
Hazardous Duty Pay: This allowance is designed to compensate army personnel for performing hazardous duties, such as flying in combat zones.

Bonuses: One-Time Payments for Special Duties

Army helicopter pilots can also earn bonuses, which are one-time payments for performing special duties or achieving certain milestones. Some common bonuses for army helicopter pilots include:

Aviation Bonus: This bonus is paid to army helicopter pilots who agree to serve for a certain number of years in the aviation field.
Flight Pay: This bonus is paid to army helicopter pilots who fly a certain number of hours per month.
Hazardous Duty Bonus: This bonus is paid to army helicopter pilots who perform hazardous duties, such as flying in combat zones.

Factors That Affect an Army Helicopter Pilot's Salary

There are several factors that can affect an army helicopter pilot's salary, including:

Rank: The higher the rank, the higher the salary.
Experience: More experienced army helicopter pilots can earn higher salaries.
Location: Army helicopter pilots who serve in certain locations, such as combat zones, can earn higher salaries.
Type of aircraft: Army helicopter pilots who fly certain types of aircraft, such as the Apache or Black Hawk, can earn higher salaries.
Number of flying hours: Army helicopter pilots who fly a certain number of hours per month can earn higher salaries.

Education and Training

To become an army helicopter pilot, you will need to complete a significant amount of education and training. Here are some of the steps you will need to take:

Earn a bachelor's degree: To become an army helicopter pilot, you will need to earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Attend Officer Candidate School (OCS): After earning your degree, you will need to attend OCS, which is a 12-week training program that prepares you for life as an army officer.
Complete flight training: After completing OCS, you will need to complete flight training, which is a 12-18 month program that teaches you how to fly an army helicopter.
Earn your wings: After completing flight training, you will be awarded your wings and will become a certified army helicopter pilot.

Gallery of Army Helicopter Pilots

Army Helicopter Pilot Images

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an army helicopter pilot make?

What benefits do army helicopter pilots receive?

Army helicopter pilots receive a range of benefits, including health insurance, retirement benefits, and education assistance. They also receive allowances for food and housing, as well as bonuses for hazardous duty and flight pay.

How do I become an army helicopter pilot?

To become an army helicopter pilot, you will need to earn a bachelor's degree, attend Officer Candidate School (OCS), and complete flight training. You will also need to meet certain physical and medical requirements, as well as pass a background check and obtain a security clearance.

We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive overview of the army helicopter pilot salary and pay breakdown. If you have any further questions or would like to learn more about becoming an army helicopter pilot, please don't hesitate to reach out.