Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Enlisted • Active Overview Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...
Air Rescue information
See Oregon salary details
$11.6K - $27.5K
0% of jobs
$27.5K - $43.3K
19% of jobs
$43.3K - $59.2K
0% of jobs
$63.3K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$59.2K - $75.1K
25% of jobs
$75.1K - $90.9K
5% of jobs
The median wage is $91.6K / yr.
$90.9K - $106.8K
34% of jobs
$106.8K - $122.6K
0% of jobs
$122.6K - $138.5K
2% of jobs
$138.5K - $154.4K
5% of jobs
$154.4K - $170.2K
5% of jobs
$170.2K - $186.1K
5% of jobs
$11.6K
$93.6K
$186.1K
How much do air rescue jobs pay per year?
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Air Rescue professional, and why are they important?
What is Air Rescue?
What are some of the unique challenges faced by Air Rescue professionals during emergency missions?
What is the difference between Air Rescue vs Helicopter Pilot?
| Aspect | Air Rescue | Helicopter Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Required Certifications | FAA Commercial Pilot License, Medical Certificate, specialized rescue training | FAA Commercial Pilot License, Medical Certificate, specific helicopter type ratings |
| Work Environment | Rescue missions, emergency scenes, often in challenging weather | Flying helicopters, transportation, or surveillance in various settings |
| Employer & Industry Usage | Emergency services, government agencies, search and rescue teams | Airlines, private companies, government agencies |
Air Rescue personnel focus on performing emergency rescue operations, often in difficult conditions, requiring specialized training. Helicopter Pilots operate aircraft for transportation or surveillance, with less emphasis on rescue-specific skills. While both roles involve flying helicopters and require similar certifications, their primary duties and work environments differ significantly.

Full-time
Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement
Posted 14 days ago
United States Navy rating
6.3
Based on 372 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
38th of 46 rated military and defense
Job description
Job Title: Aircrew Rescue Swimmer & Navy Diver
Category / Component: Enlisted • Active
Overview
Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as an enlisted aircrew member and Navy diver, performing helicopter sea rescues and underwater search, salvage, repair, and demolition to support carrier and expeditionary strike groups, mine countermeasures, special operations, and joint partners worldwide.
Key Responsibilities
Operate as enlisted aircrew during flight operations; perform helicopter sea rescues and provide advanced first aid; execute underwater search, salvage, harbor clearance, and security missions; inspect, cut, weld, and repair ships and submarines; conduct deep and saturation diving using SCUBA, surface supplied and mixed gas systems, and rebreathers; operate and supervise hyperbaric chamber treatments; plan and conduct demolition; maintain and repair specialized flight, survival, and diving equipment while managing records and readiness.
What to Expect
Highly physical, safety critical missions with rigorous performance standards; frequent operations in demanding environments such as heavy seas, cold and low visibility waters, flight lines, ship decks, and austere field sites; continuous training and qualification sustainment, with rapid shifts between precise technical tasks and field operations; small team culture that requires attention to detail, calm under pressure, and strong leadership potential.
Work Environment
Worldwide assignments at sea and ashore with aviation squadrons, fleet replacement units, and expeditionary detachments; work in flight operations areas, rescue training pools, ocean training sites, dive lockers, recompression chambers, shipyards, ranges, and forward locations; frequent work aboard carriers and auxiliaries, on piers and flight decks, and alongside joint and interagency partners.
Pathways, Training & Advancement
Recruit Training followed by Naval Aircrew Candidate School in Pensacola; Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in an assigned aircrew rating pipeline such as AWF, AWO, AWR, AWS, or AWV; Fleet Replacement Squadron training and survival, evasion, resistance, and escape instruction; ongoing qualification and advanced training in diving, rescue, and mission systems throughout the career.
Enlist under an advanced technical field or Warrior Challenge style contract that specifies the aircrew, rescue swimmer, or diver training pipeline; qualified Fleet Sailors may volunteer and request conversion into aircrew or diving roles after screening, physical testing, and command endorsement.
Qualifications
All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which typically include:
- Eligibility to serve in the United States Navy, which may involve United States citizenship or other legal residency and work status, depending on the program and current law and policy
- A high school diploma or equivalent for enlisted positions, and a bachelor’s or qualifying professional degree for officer positions
- Meeting age limits that vary by program and are set in law and Navy policy. Some communities have more restrictive age ranges
- Meeting medical, vision, and dental standards, including body composition and physical fitness requirements, with some jobs requiring more demanding standards
- Meeting character and conduct standards, including background screening
- Achieving required test scores for your program, such as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery for enlisted roles or officer qualification tests for officer programs
- Eligibility for a security clearance when required for your rating or designator
- Additional qualifications can include specific skills, education, licensure, or experience that are unique to a job or community and will be reviewed with you by a recruiter.
Additional qualifications for this job may include:
United States citizenship and eligibility for at least a Secret clearance; strong swimming ability, comfort in open water, and excellent overall physical condition; ability to pass an aviation flight physical for aircrew duties and a diving medical exam with Undersea or Diving Medical Officer approval; meeting Physical Fitness Assessment standards and passing the Physical Screening Test that includes timed swims, runs, and calisthenics; meeting age limits that are typically more restrictive than general enlistment standards.
Education
Education benefits are available through standard Navy programs such as Tuition Assistance, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, ACE-recommended college credit for Navy training, Navy COOL-funded certifications, USMAP apprenticeships, and other Navy College Program opportunities. Specific options depend on the Sailor’s status, training, and current Navy policy.
Pay, Benefits & Service
Pay, benefits, and service commitments follow standard Navy Active and/or Reserve policies for this type of role, including basic pay, allowances when eligible, health coverage, and retirement options. Exact entitlements, special pays, and service obligations depend on program, component, years of service, and current law and Navy guidance.
Incentives
Incentives such as bonuses, special pays, and loan repayment may be available at times for specific ratings or communities, but they change frequently and cannot be guaranteed. Applicants must confirm current incentives and eligibility with an official Navy recruiter or authoritative Navy source.
Notes and Disclaimers
This description is a general overview of typical duties, training, and opportunities in this community. It does not replace official Navy instructions, policies, or contracts and does not guarantee specific assignments, training, incentives, or outcomes. Actual opportunities depend on Navy needs, individual performance, screening results, and current law and policy.
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Benefits
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Industry
National security, national security and international affairs, public safety statistics centers and offices, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and public administration
Company size
10,000+ Employees
Headquarters location
Washington, DC, US