How to hire a pilot captain

How to hire a pilot captain, step by step

Here's a step-by-step pilot captain hiring guide:

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

What does a pilot captain do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the pilot captain you need to hire. Certain pilot captain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A pilot captain's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, pilot captains from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of pilot captain salaries for various roles:

   Type of Pilot Captain	Description	Hourly rate
   Pilot Captain	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	$27-38
   Aviator	An aviator, also known as a pilot, operates aircraft for commercial or private use. Although their duties vary upon their company or industry of employment, it usually entails performing regular inspections before and after every flight, coordinating with staff, maintaining an active communication line with air traffic controller, determining routes and schedules, analyzing flight plans, and monitoring the weather conditions... Show more	$36-58
   Helicopter Pilot	A helicopter pilot is responsible for operating a helicopter engine to transport people and materials from one place to another. Helicopter pilots usually work in industrial and government settings, assisting with rescue operations, medical deliveries, and gathering aerial video and photos for data purposes... Show more	$29-61

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • PIC
   • FAA
   • IFR
   • Icao
   • Flight Safety
   • Flight Operations
   • Caribbean
   • Federal Aviation
   • Aircraft Systems
   • Flight Training
   • Flight Schedules
   • Aircraft Performance
   • Lear

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead a platoon that earn numerous awards for jamming opposition force artillery nets and conducting counterattacks on opposition electronic warfare platoons.
   • Evaluate trainee knowledge of aircraft systems and company procedures and adherence to FAA standards.
   • Perform UAS and grind equipment testing, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
   • Provide UAV mission support and flight instruction, annual proficiency reviews, and flight evaluations.
   • Present at events such as, tournament dinners, NCAA banquets and recognition events on behalf of the team.
   • Plan and conduct emergency drills, equipment checks, and safety meetings in accordance with USCG regulations and company policy.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your pilot captain job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A pilot captain salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a pilot captain in Idaho may be lower than in New Jersey, and an entry-level pilot captain usually earns less than a senior-level pilot captain. Additionally, a pilot captain with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average pilot captain salary

   $68,096yearly

   $32.74 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level pilot captain salary

   $57,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

   Average pilot captain salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New Jersey	$82,935	$40
   2	New York	$73,385	$35
   3	Illinois	$72,990	$35
   4	Colorado	$69,535	$33
   5	Hawaii	$69,483	$33
   6	Missouri	$69,244	$33
   7	Texas	$69,206	$33
   8	Michigan	$68,428	$33
   9	California	$68,219	$33
   10	Tennessee	$67,997	$33
   11	Ohio	$66,740	$32
   12	Florida	$65,797	$32
   13	Puerto Rico	$65,752	$32
   14	Nevada	$65,018	$31
   15	New Hampshire	$64,131	$31
   16	Arizona	$60,674	$29
   17	Virginia	$60,450	$29
   18	Nebraska	$60,152	$29
   19	Utah	$59,904	$29
   20	Georgia	$58,434	$28

   Average pilot captain salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Wiggins Airways	$72,997	$35.09
   2	SkyWest Airlines	$72,364	$34.79	2
   3	CommutAir	$71,923	$34.58
   4	Quest Diagnostics	$71,865	$34.55
   5	Air Methods	$71,534	$34.39	166
   6	Werner Enterprises	$71,402	$34.33
   7	Rose Hills Mortuary	$70,634	$33.96
   8	The Coca-Cola Company	$69,911	$33.61
   9	Rollins	$68,833	$33.09
   10	Hawthorne Global Aviation Services	$68,211	$32.79
   11	American Commercial Lines	$67,134	$32.28
   12	Raytheon Technologies	$67,108	$32.26	1
   13	Dynamic Aviation	$66,993	$32.21	1
   14	Ameriflight	$66,870	$32.15	2
   15	Service Corporation International	$64,399	$30.96

4. Writing a pilot captain job description

   A pilot captain job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a pilot captain job description:

   Pilot captain job description example

   Clay Lacy Aviation pilots are among the very best in the business. Elevating our standards starts with a rigorous evaluation process, which thoroughly tests the procedural abilities and situational awareness of each candidate.
   
   We are currently seeking a Captain and a First Officer to join our 3-person crew. Excellent compensation and benefits plan includes fully paid medical and a matching 401[k] plan.
   
   All applicants must submit to a pre-employment drug screen and background check. Must also be Covid-19 vaccinated.
   Captain & First Officer
   
   Positions Available: 2
   
   Aircraft : Global Express
   
   Position Type : Full-time only; no contract
   
   Location : Van Nuys, CA
   
   Operation : Part 91/Part 135
   
   Requirements :
   
   + Captain Requirements: 3,500 hours of total time, 2,000 hours of PIC time, and 1,000 hours of Turbine. Type rating required.
   
   + First Officer Requirements: Minimum 2,000 hours total time with 1,000 hours of Turbine Time preferred. Type rating preferred.
   
   + Both positions require the following:
   
   + + Should ATP
   
   + Reside within a two-hour drivable commute or able to relocate. This is not a commutable position.
   
   + Comply with all Federal Aviation regulations, company operations manual, operations specifications, standard operating procedures, and company policies & procedures.
   
   + Must be able to pass DOT/FAA drug screening, and background checks and submit to random drug/alcohol tests when required.
   
   + Full, legible, color copies of all FAA certificates (both sides), including Medical as well as completion of a disclosure form, will be required as part of the application process.
   
   + Additional duties as assigned.
   
   + Covid-19 vaccination required.
   
   Positions in this classification are considered safety-sensitive under DOT/FAA drug and alcohol regulations.
   
   Benefits
   
   Clay Lacy Aviation offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, and vision, as well as matching 401(K), and more to employees in full-time positions.
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer
   
   In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
   
   About Clay Lacy Aviation
   
   Founded in 1968 by legendary aviator and industry pioneer Clay Lacy. Today, Clay Lacy Aviation is considered the world's most experienced operator of private jets. Prominent individuals and leading corporations trust Clay Lacy for aircraft management, charter, maintenance, avionics, interiors, and FBO services. The company has aircraft operations and regional offices across the U.S., including full-service FBOs in Los Angeles and Orange County, and aircraft maintenance centers in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Oxford, Connecticut. With the most knowledgeable team in the industry, Clay Lacy delivers superior safety, service, and value to aircraft owners and jet travelers worldwide. Visit claylacy.com

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right pilot captain 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 pilot captain job on Zippia to find and recruit pilot captain candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with pilot captain 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 pilot captain

   Once you've decided on a perfect pilot captain candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new pilot captain. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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