Helicopter pilot vs air ambulance captain

The differences between helicopter pilots and air ambulance captains can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a helicopter pilot and an air ambulance captain. Additionally, a helicopter pilot has an average salary of $89,418, which is higher than the $50,651 average annual salary of an air ambulance captain.

The top three skills for a helicopter pilot include FAA, PIC and pilot-in-command. The most important skills for an air ambulance captain are FAA, EMS, and single pilot.

Helicopter pilot vs air ambulance captain overview

	Helicopter Pilot	Air Ambulance Captain
Yearly salary	$89,418	$50,651
Hourly rate	$42.99	$24.35
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	4,054	3,881
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

Helicopter pilot vs air ambulance captain salary

Helicopter pilots and air ambulance captains have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Helicopter Pilot	Air Ambulance Captain
Average salary	$89,418	$50,651
Salary range	Between $62,000 And $128,000	Between $33,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Brainerd Chemical Co	-
Best paying industry	Transportation	-

Differences between helicopter pilot and air ambulance captain education

There are a few differences between a helicopter pilot and an air ambulance captain in terms of educational background:

	Helicopter Pilot	Air Ambulance Captain
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common major	Aviation	Aviation
Most common college	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	SUNY Farmingdale

Helicopter pilot vs air ambulance captain demographics

Here are the differences between helicopter pilots' and air ambulance captains' demographics:

	Helicopter Pilot	Air Ambulance Captain
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5%	Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.8% Asian, 2.7% White, 82.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 2.7% White, 82.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between helicopter pilot and air ambulance captain duties and responsibilities

Helicopter pilot example responsibilities.

Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
Train in robinson r22 and r44
Ensure compliance with all OSHA and EPA regulations.
Operate in IFR and marginal weather conditions between multiple states.
Maintain program compliance with OSHA, DOD, and other local agencies as required by regulations.
Ferry and sightseeing flights done at request of management in accordance with 14 CFR part 91.

Air ambulance captain example responsibilities.

Lead a platoon that earn numerous awards for jamming opposition force artillery nets and conducting counterattacks on opposition electronic warfare platoons.
Direct the installation, operation and maintenance of military radio and telecommunications assets for combat infantry units and fix telephone facilities.
Perform pre-flight inspections along with pilots before every mission ensuring full combat capability of aircraft.

Helicopter pilot vs air ambulance captain skills

Common helicopter pilot skills

FAA, 18%
PIC, 18%
Pilot-In-Command, 17%
IFR, 7%
Combat, 6%
Helicopter Operations, 5%

Common air ambulance captain skills

FAA, 56%
EMS, 32%
Single Pilot, 6%
Lear, 3%
Patient Care, 2%

Helicopter Pilot vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Helicopter Pilot
Helicopter Pilot vs Air Ambulance Captain

Updated January 8, 2025

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