How to hire an air force pilot

How to hire an air force pilot, step by step

Here's a step-by-step air force pilot hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an air force pilot job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new air force pilot
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an air force pilot, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an air force pilot to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an air force pilot that fits the bill.

   This list presents air force pilot salaries for various positions.

   Type of Air Force Pilot	Description	Hourly rate
   Air Force Pilot	Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft. Airline pilots fly for airlines that transport people and cargo on a fixed schedule... Show more	$35-62
   Flight Commander	A Flight Commander is the leader of a constituent portion of an aerial squadron in aerial operations, often into combat. The position is traditionally held by a captain, naval lieutenant, or air force flight lieutenant.	$23-48
   Flight Engineer	A Flight Engineer monitors and controls various aircraft systems, such as airplanes and helicopters. They ensure that all components of the plane are in proper working order, as well as diagnose and rectify problems that may arise.	$26-62

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • FAA
   • Flight Operations
   • USAF
   • DOD
   • Safety Procedures
   • Combat
   • Aircraft Systems
   • AFB
   • Aircraft Maintenance
   • Instructor Pilot
   • Aerospace
   • National Security
   • ISR
   • Air Traffic Control

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead several Russian inspectors during a highly-visible reentry vehicle inspection on-site inspection - commend for superb leadership
   • Establish maintenance management procedures and agile logistics support channels to sustain continuous network operations.
   • Perform lean logistics requirements by recognizing and eliminating wasteful activities from the supply chain and successfully increase product efficiency.
   • Direct the daily operations that provide aggressive worldwide sourcing for mission capable requisitions and current and accurate statuses to senior leadership.
   • Provide technical expertise as software development consultant for F/A-18 planning and debriefing system.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your air force pilot job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An air force pilot salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, air force pilots' average salary in indiana is 42% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level air force pilots earn 43% less than senior-level air force pilots.
   • Certifications. An air force pilot with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an air force pilot's salary.

   Average air force pilot salary

   $98,196yearly

   $47.21 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level air force pilot salary

   $74,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing an air force pilot job description

   A good air force pilot job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an air force pilot job description:

   Air force pilot job description example

   Barbaricum is a rapidly growing government contractor providing leading-edge support to federal customers, with a particular focus on Defense and National Security mission sets. We leverage more than 14 years of support to stakeholders across the federal government, with established and growing capabilities across Intelligence, Analytics, Engineering, Mission Support, and Communications disciplines. Founded in 2008, our mission is to transform the way our customers approach constantly changing and complex problem sets by bringing to bear the latest in technology and the highest caliber of talent.
   
   Headquartered in Washington, DC's historic Dupont Circle neighborhood, Barbaricum also has a corporate presence in Tampa, FL and Dayton, OH, with team members across the United States and around the world. As a leader in our space, we partner with firms in the private sector, academic institutions, and industry associations with a goal of continually building our expertise and capabilities for the benefit of our employees and the customers we support. Through all of this, we have built a vibrant corporate culture diverse in expertise and perspectives with a focus on collaboration and innovation. Our teams are at the frontier of the Nation's most complex and rewarding challenges. Join us.
   
   Barbaricum seeks a Cooperative Vulnerability and Penetration Assessment (CVPA) SME for an Air Force program enabling operational test, evaluation, and range support to the 346th Test Squadron and 318 Range Squadron, 67th Cyberspace Wing. This individual will integrate with a team of cyber security professionals to ensure instrumented cyber ranges, capable of stimulating operational networks, are provisioned to support the Air Force's cyber mission.
   
   This CVPA SME will deliver technical/engineering/maintenance support to configure Government-provided hardware/software to conduct CVPA operations.
   
   ResponsibilitiesSupports cyber security by performing Cooperative Vulnerability and Penetration Assessments (CVPA).Provide technical coordination support to CVPA Mission Commanders during the planning, execution, and reporting phases of CVPA missions.Evolve and innovate the development of new CVPA capabilities.Ensure compliance with NIST SP 800-181.
   
   QualificationsActive DoD TS/SCI clearance required Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required (Master's preferred) At least 3 years of relevant experience Must possess one of the following IAT Level III certifications: CISSP (preferred); CASP+ CE; CCNP Security; CISA; GCED; GCIH; CCSP; CEH
   , please visit our website at www.barbaricum.com. We will contact candidates directly to schedule interviews. No phone calls please.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right air force pilot for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your air force pilot job on Zippia to find and recruit air force pilot candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with air force pilot candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new air force pilot

   Once you have selected a candidate for the air force pilot position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new air force pilot. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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