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Helicopter pilot salary
Average helicopter pilot salary
$89,418
Average Helicopter Pilot Salary
As of October 2025, the average salary for a helicopter pilot in the United States is $89,418 per year or approximately $43 per hour. This figure varies significantly based on factors such as location, experience, and specific industry within aviation. For instance, helicopter pilots working in emergency medical services or law enforcement may earn higher salaries compared to those in tourist operations.
Salary Estimates by State
The highest paying states for helicopter pilots include California, Texas, and Florida. These states offer competitive salaries due to a higher demand for aviation services and a larger number of operational bases. Additionally, pilots with several years of experience or specialized certifications can expect higher salaries, reflecting their expertise and qualifications.
Career Opportunities
Many helicopter pilots find rewarding positions in sectors such as search and rescue, firefighting, and tourism. These roles often present unique challenges and require specific skill sets, but they also offer opportunities for professional growth and advancement. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, helicopter pilots will play a crucial role in diverse operations.
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Where can a Helicopter Pilot earn more?
Helicopter pilot salary estimates from across the web
Average helicopter pilot salary by state
The highest-paying states for helicopter pilots are California, New York, and New Jersey. The lowest average helicopter pilot salary states are Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for helicopter pilots
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | $97,907 | $47.07 |
| 2 | Nevada | $106,757 | $51.33 |
| 3 | Montana | $91,886 | $44.18 |
| 4 | Iowa | $93,214 | $44.81 |
| 5 | Louisiana | $91,832 | $44.15 |
| 6 | Oregon | $96,161 | $46.23 |
| 7 | California | $122,183 | $58.74 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $111,513 | $53.61 |
| 9 | West Virginia | $87,608 | $42.12 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $88,440 | $42.52 |
| 11 | New Mexico | $89,739 | $43.14 |
| 12 | New York | $111,523 | $53.62 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $86,473 | $41.57 |
| 14 | Florida | $90,745 | $43.63 |
| 15 | Delaware | $86,004 | $41.35 |
| 16 | Hawaii | $96,256 | $46.28 |
| 17 | Vermont | $83,657 | $40.22 |
| 18 | Utah | $85,999 | $41.35 |
| 19 | Alaska | $82,592 | $39.71 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $81,602 | $39.23 |
| 21 | Kansas | $83,494 | $40.14 |
| 22 | Arizona | $87,295 | $41.97 |
| 23 | Kentucky | $83,176 | $39.99 |
| 24 | Connecticut | $87,836 | $42.23 |
| 25 | Washington | $89,984 | $43.26 |
| 26 | Colorado | $87,538 | $42.09 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $77,756 | $37.38 |
| 28 | Massachusetts | $87,805 | $42.21 |
| 29 | Illinois | $86,384 | $41.53 |
| 30 | Idaho | $78,300 | $37.64 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $81,005 | $38.94 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $80,581 | $38.74 |
| 33 | Ohio | $81,692 | $39.27 |
| 34 | Arkansas | $77,068 | $37.05 |
| 35 | Maryland | $84,289 | $40.52 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $81,657 | $39.26 |
| 37 | Texas | $80,309 | $38.61 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $72,570 | $34.89 |
| 39 | Maine | $70,798 | $34.04 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $68,670 | $33.01 |
| 41 | District of Columbia | $83,831 | $40.30 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $68,334 | $32.85 |
| 43 | Virginia | $77,305 | $37.17 |
| 44 | Missouri | $69,795 | $33.56 |
| 45 | Michigan | $72,843 | $35.02 |
| 46 | Wisconsin | $68,303 | $32.84 |
| 47 | Alabama | $62,906 | $30.24 |
| 48 | Indiana | $67,421 | $32.41 |
| 49 | Georgia | $70,323 | $33.81 |
| 50 | Pennsylvania | $70,178 | $33.74 |
| 51 | Minnesota | $62,476 | $30.04 |
Highest paying cities for helicopter pilots
The highest-paying cities for helicopter pilots are Santa Rosa, CA, Oakland, CA, and Los Gatos, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa, CA | $133,727 | $64.29 |
| 2 | Oakland, CA | $133,076 | $63.98 |
| 3 | Los Gatos, CA | $132,562 | $63.73 |
| 4 | Campbell, CA | $132,561 | $63.73 |
| 5 | Capitola, CA | $132,410 | $63.66 |
| 6 | Aptos, CA | $132,338 | $63.62 |
| 7 | Watsonville, CA | $132,134 | $63.53 |
| 8 | Morgan Hill, CA | $132,069 | $63.49 |
| 9 | Castroville, CA | $132,029 | $63.48 |
| 10 | Marina, CA | $132,025 | $63.47 |
| 11 | Gilroy, CA | $131,902 | $63.41 |
| 12 | Hollister, CA | $131,581 | $63.26 |
| 13 | Red Bluff, CA | $129,483 | $62.25 |
| 14 | Redding, CA | $127,594 | $61.34 |
| 15 | Los Angeles, CA | $119,695 | $57.55 |
| 16 | Barstow, CA | $119,468 | $57.44 |
| 17 | Adelanto, CA | $119,427 | $57.42 |
| 18 | Phelan, CA | $119,184 | $57.30 |
| 19 | Oak Hills, CA | $118,551 | $57.00 |
| 20 | Hesperia, CA | $118,445 | $56.94 |
Helicopter pilot salary details
A helicopter pilot's salary ranges from $62,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $128,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a helicopter pilot's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $10,667 | $62 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,000 | $9,000 | $52 |
| Average | $89,418 | $7,452 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,000 | $6,167 | $36 |
| 10th Percentile | $62,000 | $5,167 | $30 |
Highest paying helicopter pilot jobs
The highest paying types of helicopter pilots are fighter pilot, air tour pilot, and private pilot.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aviator | $97,217 | $8,101 | $46.74 | 3,482 |
| Pilot Instructor | $90,143 | $7,512 | $43.34 | 26,978 |
| Pilot Captain | $68,096 | $5,675 | $32.74 | 5,093 |
| Pilot | $83,128 | $6,927 | $39.97 | 3,049 |
| Chief Pilot | $86,920 | $7,243 | $41.79 | 16,638 |
| Line Pilot | $96,403 | $8,034 | $46.35 | 47,582 |
Top companies hiring helicopter pilots now:
Which companies pay helicopter pilots the most?
Helicopter pilot salaries at Brainerd Chemical Co and Air Methods are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average helicopter pilot salary at companies like RLC Enterprises Inc and Metro Aviation are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brainerd Chemical Co | $102,816 | $49.43 |
| 2 | Air Methods | $88,809 | $42.70 |
| 3 | RLC Enterprises Inc | $85,252 | $40.99 |
| 4 | Metro Aviation | $82,893 | $39.85 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Helicopter pilot salary trends
The average helicopter pilot salary has risen by $22,330 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average helicopter pilot earned $67,088 annually, but today, they earn $89,418 a year. That works out to a 21% change in pay for helicopter pilots over the last decade.
Compare helicopter pilot salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average helicopter pilot salary over time
Compare helicopter pilot salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Helicopter pilot salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $89,400 | $42.99 | +7.7% |
| 2024 | $82,500 | $39.66 | +4.5% |
| 2023 | $78,800 | $37.89 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | $75,500 | $36.28 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $74,000 | $35.57 | +1.4% |
Recently added helicopter pilot salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Med-Trans Corporation | Helicopter Pilot | Gainesville, FL | 06/29/2025 | $62,705 |
| Reach Medical Holdings | Helicopter Pilot Med-Trans EG | Los Angeles, CA | 06/29/2025 | $117,475 |
| Reach Medical Holdings | Helicopter Pilot Flight Hours Required | Las Vegas, NV | 06/29/2025 | $117,475 |
| Air Evac Lifeteam | Helicopter Pilot Med-Trans EG | Watson, IL | 06/28/2025 | $87,019 |
| Global Medical Response | Helicopter Pilot-HAA | Marion, VA | 06/27/2025 | $92,240 |
| Global Medical Response | Helicopter Pilot-HAA | Woodruff, WI | 06/27/2025 | $113,125 |
| Global Medical Response | AEL Helicopter Pilot-HAA | Quincy, IL | 06/27/2025 | $104,422 |
| Global Medical Response | AEL Helicopter Pilot-HAA | Saint Louisville, OH | 06/27/2025 | $100,071 |
| Global Medical Response | AEL Helicopter Pilot-HAA | Lawrenceburg, TN | 06/27/2025 | $91,370 |
| Global Medical Response | AEL Helicopter Pilot-HAA | Perry, GA | 06/27/2025 | $104,422 |
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