1

Airline Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About Sun Country Airlines We're not your average airline. We're agile, resilient, and full of ... Besides working at a great and growing company, as a Ground Instructor you'll enjoy these benefits ...

Simulator Instructor for approved New Hire, Upgrade, and Recurrent training programs. Essential ... Hold an Airline Transport License. * Eligible for an E-170 PIC Type Rating. * Must have 1 year of ...

About Sun Country Airlines We're not your average airline. We're agile, resilient, and full of ... Besides working at a great and growing company, as a Ground Instructor you'll enjoy these benefits ...

Overview Let your career take off with PSA Airlines About PSA PSA Airlines, a wholly owned ... Responsibilities Position Summary As a Simulator Instructor, you will have a direct impact on PSA ...

Let your career take off with PSA Airlines About PSA PSA Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of ... Position Summary As a Simulator Instructor, you will have a direct impact on PSA Airlines' growth ...

Overview Let your career take off with PSA Airlines About PSA PSA Airlines, a wholly owned ... Responsibilities Position Summary As a Simulator Instructor, you will have a direct impact on PSA ...

Overview Let your career take off with PSA Airlines About PSA PSA Airlines, a wholly owned ... Responsibilities Position Summary The Ground Training Instructor is responsible for ground school ...

Overview Let your career take off with PSA Airlines About PSA PSA Airlines, a wholly owned ... Responsibilities Position Summary The Ground Training Instructor is responsible for ground school ...

Let your career take off with PSA Airlines About PSA PSA Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of ... Position Summary The Ground Training Instructor is responsible for ground school modules, recurrent ...

Ground Instructor Who we are CommutAir is a regional airline operating flights on behalf of United Airlines as a United Express partner. With our fleet of Embraer 145 aircraft, we operate up to 1,500 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Airline Instructor information

See salary details

$9

$21

$36

How much do airline instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for airline instructor in the United States is $21.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Airline Instructor vs Flight Instructor?

AspectAirline InstructorFlight Instructor
CertificationsCommercial Pilot Certificate, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)Private Pilot Certificate, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
Work EnvironmentFlight schools, airline training centers, airline simulatorsFlight schools, flight training academies, general aviation
Employer & Industry UsageAirlines, airline training programsFlight schools, private flight training

Airline Instructors and Flight Instructors both train pilots, but Airline Instructors focus on preparing pilots for airline operations and often hold advanced certifications like the ATP. Flight Instructors typically train student pilots in general aviation settings. While both roles involve flight training, Airline Instructors work primarily within airline training programs, whereas Flight Instructors operate mainly in flight schools and private training environments.

How much do flying instructors get paid?

Flying instructors typically earn between $20 and $50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the type of aircraft they teach in. Salaries can also include hourly rates for ground instruction and may vary based on whether they work for flight schools, airlines, or as independent contractors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Airline Instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Airline Instructor, you need extensive aviation experience, an instructor certification (such as CFI or equivalent), and an in-depth understanding of flight operations and safety procedures. Familiarity with flight simulators, aircraft systems, and learning management systems is typically required. Excellent communication, patience, and the ability to adapt teaching methods to diverse learners are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure effective pilot training, regulatory compliance, and the highest standards of flight safety.

What are some common challenges faced by Airline Instructors when training new pilots, and how can these be addressed?

Airline Instructors often encounter challenges such as varying learning styles among trainees, high-pressure simulation environments, and ensuring compliance with strict regulatory standards. To address these, instructors typically tailor their teaching methods to individual needs, provide additional guidance during simulator sessions, and stay updated with the latest industry regulations. Strong communication and mentorship skills are crucial for fostering a supportive learning environment that helps trainees build confidence and competence.

What qualifications do I need to be a flight instructor?

To become a flight instructor, you must hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating and typically have a minimum of 250 flight hours. Additionally, you need to pass a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) written exam and a checkride with an FAA-designated pilot examiner, demonstrating teaching ability and flight proficiency.

How much do airline flight instructors make?

Airline flight instructors typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the employer. They often work part-time or as contract instructors, and additional certifications or hours can influence pay rates.

How do I become a flight instructor?

To become a flight instructor, you must first obtain a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating, then complete a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) training course approved by the FAA or relevant authority. After meeting experience requirements, you pass a checkride and obtain the CFI certificate, which allows you to train student pilots and gain instructional experience.

What are Airline Instructors?

Airline Instructors are aviation professionals responsible for training and evaluating airline pilots, crew members, or other aviation personnel. They provide instruction on aircraft systems, flight procedures, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements, both in classroom settings and using flight simulators. Airline Instructors ensure that crews maintain proficiency, stay updated on new procedures, and comply with aviation standards. Their role is essential for maintaining high safety and operational standards within airlines.
More about Airline Instructor jobs
What cities are hiring for Airline Instructor jobs? Cities with the most Airline Instructor job openings:
What states have the most Airline Instructor jobs? States with the most job openings for Airline Instructor jobs include:
Infographic showing various Airline Instructor job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, and 35% Part Time. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,102 per year, or $21.2 per hour.
Ground Instructor

$60K - $70K/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Sun Country Airlines rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

18th of 26 rated airlines


Job description

About Sun Country Airlines

We’re not your average airline. We’re agile, resilient, and full of unique opportunity. Here, you can grow as part of an ambitious team that safely and collectively supports each other, our travelers, and our community. Together, we're making travel more attainable.

With more than 40 years of Minnesota roots, we're a unique hybrid low-cost carrier offering diverse services including scheduled flights to destinations across the U.S., Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean, as well as charter and cargo operations around the world. At Sun Country, you'll be part of a growing airline, and an enthusiastic team focused on connecting our community with their favorite people and places.

Sun Country Airlines provides the resources and support our employees need to succeed. Besides working at a great and growing company, as a Ground Instructor you’ll enjoy these benefits and more:

  • Comprehensive benefit package including dental and vision
  • PPO and high-deductible health plans
  • Health savings accounts (HSA and FSA)
  • Dependent Care
  • Starting day one free standby and discounted travel privileges for employees, family, & friends
  • 401(k) match
  • Paid Time Off
  • Paid holidays
  • Life and AD&D Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program including counseling for employees and their family
  • Fitness incentive and Stop Smoking Support

Ground Instructor Overview:

Sun Country Airlines is seeking a Ground Instructor to be responsible for developing, maintaining and facilitating various pilot and other ground training courses. This will include training for new hires as well as recurrent training.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Instruct, facilitate, and conduct all ground training modules including classroom presentations, systems integration training, and procedures training.
  • Develop FAA approved Training Program Curricula by creating lesson plans and PowerPoint presentations.
  • Develop Training Schedules to integrate with fixed base and full flight simulator training.
  • Develop and coordinate contract simulator training courseware.
  • Audit training performance, internal and external contract training.
  • Identify and recommend Operating Manual changes/improvements.
  • Conduct information systems support of pilot ground training devices including
  • Computer Network/iPad/Software Administrator for training center computers
  • Updates/installs all databases, programs, used for pilot training
  • Initiate operational changes to assure training plan completion prior to operational requirements
  • Work with senior management team regarding training concerns including areas of improvement for ground training program and student performance.
  • Maintain training library, digital library, training handouts, documentation, source material, etc.
  • Coordinate as needed with Chief Pilot in the pilot hiring process
  • Develop written tests for baseline qualification analysis
  • Develop, print, and distribute training material for both students and simulator instructors
  • Ancillary duties may include ASAP and/or FOQA program management/support
  • Support other training operations (Flight Attendants, Ground Operations, etc.) on behalf of Flight Operations.
  • Ensure tasks are conducted in a safe and efficient manner complying with all local, state, and federal safety and health regulations, programmatic standards, and with any special safety concerns identified by Sun Country Airlines
  • Any other duties assigned by management

Required Qualifications:

  • Two-year degree or technical education
  • Aviation instruction background
  • Computer literate in Microsoft Office applications and able to use or quickly learn enterprise applications.
  • Must be a motivated self-starter able to perform and communicate effectively within a multitasking environment.
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills (both written and verbal)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Previous 121 or military experience
  • Instrument rating
  • Commercial Pilot Certificate
  • Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
  • Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII)
  • Military Navigator

Compensation:

Pay range: $60,000k - $70,000 USD annually. This is the base compensation hiring range for this role.

Classification:

Full-Time, Exempt

Work Location:

Minneapolis, MN (onsite)

Supervisory Responsibility:

None

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands or finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Other Duties:

The above statements are intended to provide a summary of key responsibilities and the anticipated work environment of an accountant.  They are not intended to be an all-inclusive listing of job duties. Position expectations may change as the needs, or the requirements of the organization evolve.

AAP/EEO Statement:

It is the policy of Sun Country Airlines to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Sun Country Airlines respects and values every employee’s contribution to our business. We believe that an important part of our strength comes from our people and their array of perspectives.

#LI-LM1


What Sun Country Airlines employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom