Helicopter Pilot Jobs in the United States

Helicopter Pilot Jobs Overview

Ready to take to the skies? The chance to experience the exhilaration of flying while performing meaningful work — that's what awaits you when you begin a career as a helicopter pilot. Whether transporting critically injured people to a hospital, performing search-and-rescue missions, or participating in firefighting efforts, helicopter pilot jobs can make a real difference in people's lives.

In addition to mastering the art of flying rotary-wing aircraft, helicopter pilots must possess a specific skill set to enjoy a successful career in the aviation industry. Having the skills to communicate clearly, maintain situational awareness, and respond quickly to potential problems is paramount. Helicopter pilot jobs typically have irregular hours, so a flexible schedule is equally important.

All five branches of the U.S. military employ helicopter pilots for both combat and non-combat roles. When it comes to civilian jobs, from providing charter flights and aerial tours to streaming live video feeds to news organizations, there's a wide variety of helicopter pilot jobs available across the nation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that commercial pilot jobs will grow by 6% into the next decade, with around 18,100 job openings each year.

Salary Range for Helicopter Pilots

Salaries for helicopter pilot jobs vary according to the position you hold and the employer for whom you work. Your level of education also impacts how much you'll get paid, as does the number of certifications and logged hours of flying time you've earned.

While the median salary for pilots is $68,293 per year, you can expect to make more as you gain experience and expertise. Your earnings could fall within the nationwide annual pay range for aviation pilots from $43,216 to $94,650.

If you're searching for the best-paying helicopter pilot jobs, remember that location also makes a difference. Use Monster's Salary Calculator to explore salary ranges in your area. If you're prepared to relocate, here are the five cities that rank at the top of the list for pilot job salaries.

• Los Angeles, CA - $68,217 per year
• Las Vegas, NV - $64,090 per year
• Dallas, TX - $63,884 per year
• Houston, TX - $59,915 per year
• Phoenix, AZ - $54,470 per year

Finding the Ideal Helicopter Pilot Job

Whether you're on the hunt for your first job as a pilot or ready to take your career to new heights, there's a helicopter job that's perfect for you. Start by ensuring you have the qualifications it takes to land the job.

Work toward accumulating the flight hours you need to obtain the position you want. For example, a private pilot certificate requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight time. These hours must be divided up by 20 hours with an instructor, 10 solo hours, and the rest in three-hour blocks for night flight, cross-country flight, instrument time, and other category requirements.

When it comes to knowing which pilot job is right for you, self-evaluation is the key to unlocking the door to success. Are you willing to work long hours and fly wherever needed to get the job done? If you're an independent soul eager for adventure, you're likely to succeed as a helicopter pilot.

Review the Job Description

Before applying for helicopter pilot jobs, take the time to read through each job description with a discerning eye. Consider which aspects of the position appeal most to you, and identify any that concern you. Does the description of the job align with your interests and career goals?

Be wary of postings with lists of unclear or unrealistic job duties. Knowing up-front what to expect from the job is key to supporting your job satisfaction. The job description should make this clear. What responsibilities does the position involve? Are you qualified to meet them, or will you need additional certifications?

Finally, pay attention to the tone of the posting. Job descriptions often give clues about the organization's values and approach to business. Use this information to determine how you would fit in with the company's culture.

Assess Your Qualifications

As a helicopter pilot, each hour you spend flying expands your experience in aviation. It also increases your chances of securing a better job. Make sure that you can take full advantage of present and future opportunities by maintaining an accurate flight time logbook.

Keep your licenses, certifications, and registrations up-to-date as well. Each certificate you receive from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) raises your pay scale and expands your career options. To ensure that nothing impairs your performance as a pilot, it's also critical to stay in excellent health and attend all required medical exams.

Look for Growth Opportunities

Most helicopter pilot jobs have demanding schedules, making it challenging to stay informed about opportunities for growth elsewhere in the aviation industry. The best way to keep advancing your career is to assess whether your next employer promotes professional development. You can often glean this information by researching the company online or in the media.

Applying for Helicopter Pilot Jobs

Begin the application process by taking note of the skills and qualifications most emphasized in the job description. Throughout the application process, you’ll explain your knowledge of those skills and ability to meet the qualifications to convince the employer that you're the right candidate for the position.

Perfect Your Resume

Make sure your helicopter pilot resume lands on the desk of the recruiter or hiring manager! Check and double-check your resume until you're confident it's error-free and can pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Keep the format simple and straightforward. Forgo distracting fonts, colors, and graphics in favor of a clear and precise design. When listing your skills, use keywords from the job description to drive home your qualifications. For example, let your potential employer know you understand the importance of communication, quick thinking, and observational and problem-solving skills in helicopter jobs.

In addition to accentuating these skills in your pilot resume, demonstrate your understanding of safety protocols and regulations. For a resume that showcases your qualifications to perfection, employ our Monster Professional Resume Writing Service.

Include a Cover Letter

In contrast with your more straightforward resume, a cover letter allows you to express your interest in the job and convey your passion for flying rotary-wing aircraft. You may find it challenging to confine your enthusiasm to a few short paragraphs. Here are three simple strategies to try:

• Capture the reader's attention by explaining why you believe you're the best contender for the job.
• List the skills you've learned along the way as you detail your experience in flying helicopters.
• Show you've done your research by describing the aspects of the organization that compelled you to apply for the job.

Need more inspiration? Check out this pilot cover letter sample for additional tips on writing your letter in a professional and engaging manner.

Submitting the Application

You've updated your resume, written a persuasive cover letter, and attached your pilot certifications and ratings. What's the next step? Sign up for a free Monster account and create your personal profile. Double-check the data to confirm that all the information is correct, and apply for jobs directly from your account — it’s quick and easy!

Follow Up on the Application

Employers need time to process job applications, so stay positive while you wait. If you don't hear back within a week or two, follow up with an email or phone call. Make every effort to send your message to the person responsible for setting up interviews. You can often find the hiring manager's contact information on the company's website or through their human resources department.

Whether you phone the employer or send an email, keep the message brief and to the point. Let them know you're genuinely interested in working for the company, and highlight the skills that make you the right person for the job.

Interviewing for Helicopter Pilot Jobs

As a helicopter pilot, you know that flying a rotary-wing aircraft requires extraordinary focus, vigilance, and self-awareness. You've learned how to assess every situation and make all necessary adjustments to ensure a successful landing. Using that same skill set during job interviews will take you far.

Understand the Interview Process

Each company has its own approach when interviewing potential new employees. Some organizations require multiple rounds of interviews, while others conduct interviews over the phone or via video conferencing. Make sure you know what to expect in advance of the meeting.

It's also important to dress appropriately for the occasion. You may not have to adhere to a dress code while you're up in the air flying, but you should stay grounded when deciding what to wear to the meeting. Business casual attire is the clothing of choice for most pilot interviews.

Explore Interview Formats

No matter how casually interviewers ask questions, rest assured they're reciting from a carefully prepared script. Typically, hiring managers choose an established format, such as a behavioral interview or a competency-based one. Whatever the format, most interview questions have the same goal: to review your past actions as an indicator of your future performance.

Answering Interview Questions

Before you go to meet your interviewer, it's wise to research questions to expect during your conversation about the helicopter pilot job. Here are some that you might hear:

• When did you become interested in aviation, and what attracted you to the field?
• What do you like most about being a helicopter pilot?
• What is your greatest asset as a helicopter pilot, and what do you find most challenging?
• How much experience do you have flying at night and in inclement weather?
• What interests you about this particular job, and why do you want to work for us?
• What makes you stand out from other well-qualified candidates for this job?

As the last man to step on the moon, American astronaut Gene Cernan understood that pilots must "prepare for the unknown, unexpected, and inconceivable." When it comes to unpredictable interview questions, his words ring true.

How would you weigh a plane without a scale? If you could choose one superhero power, what would it be and why? What would you do if you won the lottery? It's good to prepare for off-topic questions like these as well as those that relate directly to the job you're applying for.

While there's no way to predict exactly what questions the hiring manager will ask, you're in total control of the way you answer them. Learning the STAR method helps you answer any question in a rational, orderly way. Here's a quick overview of how this acronym works.

• Situation: Describe a problem or challenge you encountered.
• Task: Explain what you decided to do to resolve the issue.
• Action: Discuss the course of action you took to complete the task.
• Result: Talk about the outcome and the lessons you learned along the way.

Follow Up After the Interview

Consider the following scenario. You're a hiring manager who has just interviewed two equally qualified candidates for helicopter pilot jobs. One follows up with a thank-you email or phone call; the other does not. Who gets the job?

Show your potential new employer you're serious about getting the position by sending a thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview. If you don't hear back within a week or two, consider contacting them again with a follow-up phone call. Make sure that you reach the person who conducted the interview.

How to Respond to an Offer

It's thrilling to get an offer for a helicopter pilot position from a reputable organization. A prompt response is only polite, but you may not want to say "yes" to the job immediately.

It's perfectly acceptable to take some time to consider the offer. Contact the employer to express your thanks, and let them know when you will give them a definitive answer.

Begin by studying the job offer to determine with certainty what's on the table. Are the job responsibilities spelled out clearly? Does the salary meet your expectations? Does the position come with benefits?

A less-than-generous salary may be more attractive if it comes with perks like these:

• sign-on bonus
• relocation assistance
• health insurance
• retirement benefits
• life insurance
• legal services

What do you do if you want the job, but the salary isn't enough to entice you? Negotiate! Start by doing some research. Find out if the compensation offered to you is on par with similar helicopter pilot jobs. Contact your colleagues, mentors, and even former employers to get their take on the issue.

Career Paths for Helicopter Pilots

As a helicopter pilot, you understand what you do for a living is far more taxing than the average job. The work is demanding, true, but knowing you're providing much-needed services makes it all worthwhile. As you accumulate more and more flight hours, you may consider taking your skills to new heights.

If you're looking for higher pay, consider setting your sights on a career as an airline pilot. In addition to potentially doubling your salary, you'll enjoy perks such as hotel accommodation and allowances for everyday expenses. Most airline pilot jobs require candidates to hold a bachelor's degree, so you might have to advance your education and acquire additional FAA certifications to obtain a position.

Is giving back more your style? Look for aviation jobs that allow you to work as a pilot instructor. With helicopters getting more technically advanced, teaching a new generation of pilots how to operate them is a valuable service. When it comes to career opportunities in the aviation industry, the sky's the limit!

Similar Positions to Helicopter Pilot Jobs

• flight instructor jobs
• air traffic control jobs
• flight test engineer jobs