How to hire a pilot instructor

How to hire a pilot instructor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step pilot instructor 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 instructor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new pilot instructor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a pilot instructor do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the pilot instructor you need to hire. Certain pilot instructor 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 instructor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, pilot instructors 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of pilot instructors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Pilot Instructor	Description	Hourly rate
   Pilot Instructor	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	$28-63
   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
   Corporate Pilot	Typically working for large companies, a corporate pilot's role is to operate company aircraft for official work trips. Their responsibilities include coordinating with airports, directing and overseeing flight crew, preparing and processing documentation, and adhering to all the protocols and safety checks to ensure safety and efficiency... Show more	$30-57

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • FAA
   • Simulator
   • Instructor Pilot
   • Aircraft Systems
   • DOD
   • Pilot-In-Command
   • CRM
   • Syllabus
   • PIC
   • Training Programs
   • Flight Operations
   • Combat
   • USAF
   • US Army

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage a wide variety of stock, including ammunition and high-value items.
   • Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
   • Single pilot IFR certify SA-365.
   • Perform air refueling, airlift, navigation, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
   • Specialize in teaching instrument skills to experience clients seeking additional certification such as ATP.
   • Ensure quality, delivery, budget and environmental objectives are met and fulfill HQ directions.

   More pilot instructor duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your pilot instructor job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A pilot instructor 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 instructor in Oklahoma may be lower than in California, and an entry-level pilot instructor usually earns less than a senior-level pilot instructor. Additionally, a pilot instructor 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 instructor salary

   $90,143yearly

   $43.34 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level pilot instructor salary

   $60,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average pilot instructor salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New Jersey	$112,069	$54
   2	Nevada	$107,199	$52
   3	New Mexico	$90,737	$44
   4	Arizona	$90,603	$44
   5	Florida	$86,562	$42
   6	Maryland	$84,672	$41
   7	Kansas	$83,598	$40
   8	Texas	$79,359	$38
   9	Virginia	$77,576	$37
   10	Georgia	$68,921	$33
   11	Indiana	$65,008	$31
   12	Alabama	$61,853	$30
   13	Minnesota	$61,768	$30

   Average pilot instructor salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	OBXtek	$97,678	$46.96	4
   2	Technology Service	$96,226	$46.26
   3	American Airlines	$84,166	$40.46	1
   4	FlightSafety International	$82,381	$39.61	35
   5	Sun Country Airlines	$81,621	$39.24
   6	Pacific Architects and Engineers	$81,335	$39.10
   7	CAE	$80,849	$38.87	35
   8	Lockheed Martin	$80,155	$38.54	28
   9	NANA	$79,002	$37.98	4
   10	L3Harris	$78,065	$37.53
   11	Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University	$58,459	$28.11	6

4. Writing a pilot instructor job description

   A pilot instructor 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a pilot instructor job description:

   Pilot instructor job description example

   Responsibilities

   OBXtek is staffing positions for Contract Instructor Pilots/CI on the AC-130J MDS for the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) 492 Special Operation Wing (SOW) and operational units.

   Instructors will provide instruction, in accordance with applicable Department of Defense (DoD), United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and Air Force Instructions (AFI) to meet United States Air Force (USAF) proficiency and qualification standards on Air Force administered written examinations and flight evaluations for preparatory courses, initial qualification (basic, instrument, mission), transition (conversion, requalification), upgrade qualification (instructor, aircraft commander, special mission, evaluator, dual qualification of sensor operators), and key staff, continuation, refresher course, etc. training as required to meet the on-time graduation and annual student throughout requirements of this contract. Other requirements include:

   • Ensure syllabi tasks are 100% complete within the time specified for the lesson.
   • Ensure completion of Aircrew Graduate Evaluation Program (AGEP) in accordance with applicable Air Force Instructions and training syllabi.
   • Use air traffic control services and radio calls during instruction that are in accordance with the most current edition of the Federal Aviation Administration Order 7110.65, Air Traffic Control, or applicable International Civil Aviation Organization manuals and circulars for overseas continental United States (OCONUS) locations.
   • Support instruction of the AFSOC Instrument Refresher Course (IRC) with qualified IRC instructors.
   • Support instruction of the Crew Resource Management Course (CRM) and CRM Facilitators Course with qualified CRM instructors.
   • Support instruction of the Night Vision Devices with qualified aircrew instructors.
   • Support instruction of aircraft radios, datalinks and other cryptographic radio devices as assigned, with qualified aircrew instructors in assigned training devices.
   • Support the Critique Program with suggested changes/mitigation(s) as required.

   These positions are located at Hurlburt Field, FL.

   Qualifications

   Requires a valid Secret Clearance.

   • Minimum of five 5 years AFSOC aircrew experience required.
   • Instructor candidates who were instructor certified in the proposed MDS and were current in U.S. military aircraft within the previous two years;
     OR
     Instructors formerly instructor certified (in the proposed U.S. military MDS aircraft) within the previous four (4) years if the following conditions are met at the time of hiring:
     the candidate performed eight (8) years of military operational flying duty; and at least two (2) years or 200 hours experience as an inflight instructor in the proposed MDS and associated mission sets
     .

   Security Clearance Secret Company Information

   COVID Policy: Prospective and/or new employees will be required to adhere with OBXtek's COVID-19 policy. Employees working onsite at a customer location must comply with customer COVID-19 policy which may include any or all the following: social distancing, masks, vaccination, mandatory statements regarding one's vaccination status and mandatory testing .

   Headquartered in McLean, Virginia and founded in 2009, OBXtek is a fast-growing leader in the government contracting field. Our mission is Our People…Our Reputation. Our people are trained professionals who enhance our customers' knowledge and innovation using technology, collaboration, and education.

   We offer a robust suite of benefits including comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, matching 401K, paid time off, tuition reimbursement plans and much more.

   As a prime contractor for 93% of our current work, OBXtek pairs lessons learned across disciplines with industry standard quality practices such as CMMI-Dev Level III, ITIL, 6Sigma, PMI, and ISO. Our rapid growth has been recognized by INC500, the Washington Business Journal, and Washington Technology magazine.

   OBXtek is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, gender identity, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other classification protected by federal, state or local law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with pilot instructor 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to 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 instructor

   Once you have selected a candidate for the pilot instructor 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 good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new pilot instructor. 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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