Summary
Amazon Prime Video’sThe Blue Angelsdocuments Blue Angels pilots, rookies and veterans, as they train for and participate in air shows, and after watching, one might wonder how much these highly-skilled demonstration pilots make.The Blue Angels is an elite flight squadron consisting of six Navy and Marine Corps pilotswho spend years training to perfect aerial artistry. Meanwhile, the 2024 documentary shines a light on these men and women and allows the audience a sneak peek behind the scenes of their lives.
The Blue Angelsis playing in theaters and is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
The Blue Angelsproducer Glen Powell, who has been a fan of the Blue Angels since he was a kid, became connected to the documentary after starring as Lieutenant Jake “Hangman” Seresin inTop Gun: Maverick(which the actor got his pilot’s license for). He helped recruit J.J. Abrams as another producer, and after enduring setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the movie finally hit the ground running and premiered in May 2024. AlthoughThe Blue Angels' true story leaves outthe demonstration pilots' salaries,they are quite impressive, which is deserved, given the years-long physical and mental stress they endure.
Blue Angels Pilot Salaries Differ By Rank & Time In Service
New Pilots Make Less Than Veterans
According toHow Much?,the salaries of the six Blue Angels pilots vary depending on their rank and experiencein the Navy or Marine Corps (and they don’t get any bonus pay for belonging to the elite team). For example, the base salary for a lieutenant is around $4,850 to $7,700 per month, while a lieutenant commander’s is $5,516 to $8,700 and a commander’s is $6,393 to $9,000. However,the pilots also earn an “Aviation Career Incentive Pay,“which accounts for their time in service and is usually around $700 to $1,000 per month.
The pilots' salaries come from their ranks in the Navy or Marine Corps and aren’t dependent on how many air shows they do or their Blue Angels title.
Additionally, all six demonstration pilots get an allowance for housing and food. So, if one is a lieutenant in the Blue Angels, they will likely earn around $68,400 to $102,600 every year; a lieutenant commander would make anywhere from $76,400 to $114,600; and a commander’s yearly salary would be somewhere between $87,000 and $118,200. However, other sources claim that the pilots make around $130,000 per year (and some say $150,000), buttheBlue Angelsdocumentary movieunfortunately didn’t clarify which is true.
Glen Powell Breaks Down His Personal Connection To New Documentary The Blue Angels
Producer Glen Powell discusses his personal connection to The Blue Angels' story and how it deepens his understanding of pilots going into Top Gun 3.
Do Blue Angels Pilots Get Paid For Each Air Show?
Blue Angels Pilots Are Known For Their Air Shows
As seen inThe Blue Angelson Amazon Prime Video, the demonstration pilots undergo extensive training to perform in air shows. Despite what one might think, they are not paid for each air show they participate in. As mentioned above, the pilots' salaries come from their ranks in the Navy or Marine Corps and aren’t dependent on how many air shows they do or their Blue Angels title. Nevertheless, based on their average reported salaries, the pilots, as seen inThe Blue Angels, are seemingly well compensated for their time and effort.
The Blue Angels
The Blue Angels follows the veterans and newest class of Navy and Marine Corps flight squadron through rigorous training and showcases their breathtaking aerial artistry during an eventful season. Released in May 2024, it offers a comprehensive look into their disciplined and high-stakes world.
