Military Flight Pay: ACIP, Aviation Bonus & What Pilots Make
Military pilots earn the same basic pay as any other officer at their rank — then stack Aviation Career Incentive Pay (ACIP) and, often, a large Aviation Bonus on top. Together these can add tens of thousands of dollars a year.
Aviation Career Incentive Pay (ACIP) — "flight pay"
ACIP is monthly continuous pay for rated officers, scaling with years of aviation service:
| Years of aviation service | Monthly ACIP (officer) |
|---|---|
| 2 or fewer | $150 |
| Over 6 | $700 |
| Over 10 | up to $1,000 |
| 14–22 (peak) | $1,000 (max) |
| Over 24 | tapers back down |
Enlisted aircrew receive Career Enlisted Flyer Incentive Pay (CEFIP), roughly $150–$400/month by years of service.
The Aviation Bonus (the big one)
To retain pilots, the services offer an Aviation Bonus (AvB) — an annual contract payment for committing additional years. Amounts vary by airframe and need but commonly run $15,000–$35,000 per year, with the highest rates for fighter and other hard-to-retain communities. It's taxable (and combat-zone excludable).
Putting it together
An O-3 aviator with ~8 years might earn O-3 basic pay ($8,125/month) + ACIP (~$840) + a prorated Aviation Bonus — plus tax-free BAH and BAS. Flight pay is taxable; the allowances are not.
Add your flight pay and bonus amounts in the calculator's special-pay fields.
Calculate my pay →Frequently asked questions
How much is military flight pay?
Aviation Career Incentive Pay scales from $150/month early to a $1,000/month maximum at peak years for officers; enlisted aircrew get $150–$400/month. A separate Aviation Bonus adds $15,000–$35,000/year.
How much do military pilots make?
Basic pay for their rank plus ACIP (up to $1,000/month), often a large Aviation Bonus, and tax-free BAH and BAS — frequently well over $120,000/year in total compensation for a mid-career pilot.
Is flight pay taxable?
Yes — ACIP and the Aviation Bonus are taxable, except portions earned in a combat zone. BAH and BAS remain tax-free.