Higher education detrimental to your salary. "The Career Expert"  

Helicopter Pilot Salary (December 2022) - Zippia

The link shows basic helicopter pilot salaries and will further give you a sample for the location you wish to search.  What I find most peculiar is that the formula to calaculate location indicates those with a Master's degree can expect a drop in annual salary from those with a Bachelor's degree.  I don't think you "need" either except as a prospective hire prerequisite (pretty important especially in the military); however, higher education (AA, BA) has almost become a societal "norm" (not that that's a good thing or even needed).