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How to hire a regional airline pilot

Regional airline pilot hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring regional airline pilots in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a regional airline pilot is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new regional airline pilot to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a regional airline pilot, step by step

To hire a regional airline pilot, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a regional airline pilot:

Here's a step-by-step regional airline pilot hiring guide:

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

    Before you post your regional airline pilot job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a regional airline pilot for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A regional airline pilot's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, regional airline pilots 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 regional airline pilots and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Regional Airline PilotDescriptionHourly rate
    Regional Airline PilotAirline 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$33-56
    Flight CommanderA 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 EngineerA 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
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • CFR
    Responsibilities:
    • Lead teams into combat situations as well as into austere and commercial locations in nearly every part of the world.
    • Captain, Bae-4100 - 14 CFR 135/121 schedule
    • Fulfill FAA compliant record keeping, flight safety and organizational requirements.
    • License in both single-engine and multi-engine airplanes.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your regional airline pilot job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A regional airline pilot can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, regional airline pilots' average salary in wisconsin is 34% less than in oregon.
    • Seniority. Entry-level regional airline pilots 41% less than senior-level regional airline pilots.
    • Certifications. A regional airline pilot with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a regional airline pilot's salary.

    Average regional airline pilot salary

    $91,609yearly

    $44.04 hourly rate

    Entry-level regional airline pilot salary
    $70,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 16, 2025
  4. Writing a regional airline pilot job description

    A regional airline pilot 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 regional airline pilot job description:

    Regional airline pilot job description example

    Aircraft: Primary: EC 135/ EC 130

    ACCRA: 110%

    15K Sign-On

    Job Summary

    Responsible to ensure aircraft and weather conditions are airworthy to transport medical crew and patient to receiving hospital within an assigned operational area. Responsible for compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), General Operations Manual guidelines (GOM), and thorough knowledge of Air Methods policies and procedures.

    Essential Functions and Responsibilities

    • Operates Air methods aircraft in a safe and legal manner.
    • Completes pre-flight before every flight verifying the aircraft is in an airworthy condition by sign off of Daily Flight Log. Pilots will perform a complete walk around of the aircraft prior to entering the cockpit for flight and upon completion of each flight.
    • Final authority with regard to operations of aircraft and for the safety of passengers, cargo and equipment.
    • Must be thoroughly familiar with all aircraft and medical systems of backup aircraft utilized at operational area and also ensures that the medical flight team is familiar and comfortable with the medical interior and systems.
    • Responsible for completion of required documentation.
    • Able to conduct detailed flight planning with little notice to exacting standards.
    • Participates regularly in Air Methods meetings, activities, projects, committees and community outreach.
    • Performs other duties as assigned.

    Additional Job Requirements

    • Regular scheduled attendance.

    Subject to applicable laws and Air Method's policies, regular attendance is an essential function of the position. All employees must follow Air Methods' employment practices and policies.

    Supervisory Responsibilities

    This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

    Qualifications

    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. In accordance with applicable laws, Air Methods will provide reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden so disabled employees may perform the essential functions of the position.

    Education & Experience

    • Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school and two to five years' related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
    • Bachelor's degree preferred

    Operation and Safety Requirements:

    • As a member of the Flight Crew, any person employed in this position shall maintain a weight not to exceed 250 pounds and shall be less than seventy (70) years old.

    Skills

    • Pilots must have flown in category for a commercial operator or in the military within the previous 24 months
    • Maintains positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues, EMS representatives, hospitals and the public and strives to maintain a friendly and professional working environment

    Instrument Flight rules (IFR) Program:

    • 2500 total flight hours with a minimum of 2000 hours in category
    • 1000 hours PIC in category
    • 500 hours of cross-country flight time, 100 hours of night flight time
    • 75 hours of actual or simulated instrument time at least 50 hours which were in flight in an aircraft including 20 hours in actual instrument conditions in category

    Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

    • Commercial & Instrument Rating (for category and class of aircraft)
    • ATP rating in category meets this requirement
    • First OR Second Class FAA Medical certificate required.

    Air Methods is an EEO/AA employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

    Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

    The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find regional airline pilots for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your regional airline pilot job on Zippia to find and recruit regional airline pilot candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting regional airline pilots requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    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 regional airline pilot

    Once you've decided on a perfect regional airline pilot 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new regional airline pilot. 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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How much does it cost to hire a regional airline pilot?

Hiring a regional airline pilot comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting regional airline pilots involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of regional airline pilot recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $91,609 per year for a regional airline pilot, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for regional airline pilots in the US typically range between $33 and $56 an hour.

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