Best cities for a helicopter pilot
The best cities for helicopter pilots are Reno, NV, Sacramento, CA, and Bakersfield, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for helicopter pilots vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for helicopter pilots in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a helicopter pilot or considering a move, this list of the best cities for helicopter pilots to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for helicopter pilots. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a helicopter pilot. While the absolute best city for helicopter pilots is Reno, NV, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for helicopter pilots in 2024.
If you're looking for a helicopter pilot job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for helicopter pilots in 2025
1. Reno, NV
Total helicopter pilot jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $113,003 Lowest 10 percent warn: $73,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $174,000 Location quotient: 3.41 2. Sacramento, CA
Total helicopter pilot jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $132,027 Lowest 10 percent warn: $86,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $201,000 Location quotient: 0.62 3. Bakersfield, CA
Total helicopter pilot jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $125,571 Lowest 10 percent warn: $82,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $191,000 Location quotient: 1.42 4. Riverside, CA
Total helicopter pilot jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $116,965 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $179,000 Location quotient: 3.22 5. Las Vegas, NV
Total helicopter pilot jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $105,868 Lowest 10 percent warn: $67,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $165,000 Location quotient: 0.54 6. San Francisco, CA
Total helicopter pilot jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $133,358 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $202,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Oakland, CA
Total helicopter pilot jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $133,076 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $202,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Fremont, CA
Total helicopter pilot jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $132,633 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $201,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. San Jose, CA
Total helicopter pilot jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $132,387 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $200,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Stockton, CA
Total helicopter pilot jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $131,826 Lowest 10 percent warn: $86,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $201,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for helicopter pilots
- Reno, NV
- Sacramento, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
- Riverside, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- San Francisco, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Fremont, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Stockton, CA
- (4 helicopter pilot jobs)
- (2 helicopter pilot jobs)
- (1 helicopter pilot jobs)
- (3 helicopter pilot jobs)
- (2 helicopter pilot jobs)
- (0 helicopter pilot jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a helicopter pilot
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reno, NV | $113,003 | $73,000 | 245,255 | 4 |
| 2 | Sacramento, CA | $132,027 | $86,000 | 495,234 | 2 |
| 3 | Bakersfield, CA | $125,571 | $82,000 | 376,380 | 1 |
| 4 | Riverside, CA | $116,965 | $76,000 | 324,722 | 3 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $105,868 | $67,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $133,358 | $87,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 7 | Oakland, CA | $133,076 | $87,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 8 | Fremont, CA | $132,633 | $87,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 9 | San Jose, CA | $132,387 | $87,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 10 | Stockton, CA | $131,826 | $86,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 11 | North Las Vegas, NV | $105,575 | $67,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 12 | Henderson, NV | $105,042 | $67,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 13 | Los Angeles, CA | $119,695 | $78,000 | 3,976,322 | 3 |
| 14 | Brookhaven, NY | $112,792 | $76,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 15 | Fresno, CA | $128,921 | $84,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 16 | Islip, NY | $112,705 | $76,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 17 | Jersey City, NJ | $111,778 | $75,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 18 | Hempstead, NY | $112,346 | $76,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 19 | Newark, NJ | $111,639 | $75,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 20 | Oyster Bay, NY | $112,292 | $76,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 21 | Santa Ana, CA | $117,419 | $76,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 22 | New York, NY | $111,957 | $75,000 | 8,537,673 | - |
| 23 | Irvine, CA | $116,954 | $76,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 24 | Long Beach, CA | $118,251 | $77,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 25 | Lexington, KY | $84,014 | $56,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 26 | Anaheim, CA | $117,852 | $77,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 27 | Portland, OR | $95,516 | $62,000 | 639,863 | 3 |
| 28 | New Orleans, LA | $91,873 | $59,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 29 | San Diego, CA | $112,856 | $74,000 | 1,406,630 | 2 |
| 30 | Cleveland, OH | $83,233 | $55,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 31 | Chula Vista, CA | $112,369 | $73,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 32 | Toledo, OH | $82,051 | $55,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 33 | Albuquerque, NM | $89,947 | $58,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 34 | Buffalo, NY | $105,220 | $70,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 35 | Tucson, AZ | $85,644 | $55,000 | 530,706 | 3 |
| 36 | Louisville, KY | $82,914 | $55,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 37 | Orlando, FL | $91,206 | $59,000 | 277,173 | 1 |
| 38 | El Paso, TX | $86,040 | $56,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 39 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $91,796 | $59,000 | 260,999 | - |
| 40 | Glendale, AZ | $87,548 | $56,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 41 | Phoenix, AZ | $87,455 | $56,000 | 1,615,017 | 1 |
| 42 | Tampa, FL | $91,764 | $59,000 | 377,165 | - |
| 43 | Jacksonville, FL | $92,000 | $60,000 | 880,619 | - |
| 44 | Miami, FL | $89,304 | $57,000 | 453,579 | 3 |
| 45 | Scottsdale, AZ | $87,255 | $56,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 46 | Wichita, KS | $84,120 | $55,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 47 | Columbus, OH | $81,323 | $54,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 48 | Nashville, TN | $80,417 | $54,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 49 | Memphis, TN | $79,945 | $53,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 50 | Chandler, AZ | $86,995 | $56,000 | 247,477 | - |
Highest paying cities for helicopter pilots
| Rank | City | Avg. helicopter pilot salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa, CA | $133,727 |
| 2 | Oakland, CA | $133,076 |
| 3 | Los Gatos, CA | $132,562 |
| 4 | Campbell, CA | $132,561 |
| 5 | Capitola, CA | $132,410 |
| 6 | Aptos, CA | $132,338 |
| 7 | Watsonville, CA | $132,134 |
| 8 | Morgan Hill, CA | $132,069 |
| 9 | Castroville, CA | $132,029 |
| 10 | Marina, CA | $132,025 |
| 11 | Gilroy, CA | $131,902 |
| 12 | Hollister, CA | $131,581 |
| 13 | Red Bluff, CA | $129,483 |
| 14 | Redding, CA | $127,594 |
| 15 | Los Angeles, CA | $119,695 |
| 16 | Barstow, CA | $119,468 |
| 17 | Adelanto, CA | $119,427 |
| 18 | Phelan, CA | $119,184 |
| 19 | Oak Hills, CA | $118,551 |
| 20 | Hesperia, CA | $118,445 |
Helicopter pilot best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025