Helicopter Pilot
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
Shreveport, LA · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
Shreveport, LA · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
Springfield, MO · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
Springfield, MO · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
Texarkana, TX · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
Texarkana, TX · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
Evansville, IN · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
Evansville, IN · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
Watson, IL · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
Watson, IL · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
Jackson, MS · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
Jackson, MS · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
Shreveport, LA · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
Shreveport, LA · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
Chattanooga, TN · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
Chattanooga, TN · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
Watson, IL · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
Watson, IL · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
Springfield, MO · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
Springfield, MO · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
Evansville, IN · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
Evansville, IN · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
Watson, IL · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
Watson, IL · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
Watson, IL · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
Watson, IL · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
Watson, IL · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
Watson, IL · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Helicopter Pilot
Watson, IL · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Quick apply
Helicopter Pilot
Watson, IL · On-site
$87K - $95K/yr
... 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours ... We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare ...
Cal Fire Helicopter Pilot information
See salary details
$71.5K - $76.2K
0% of jobs
$76.2K - $81K
4% of jobs
$81K - $85.7K
12% of jobs
$85.7K - $90.4K
8% of jobs
$92.4K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$90.4K - $95.1K
3% of jobs
The median wage is $98.6K / yr.
$95.1K - $99.9K
31% of jobs
$104.5K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$99.9K - $104.6K
17% of jobs
$104.6K - $109.3K
2% of jobs
$109.3K - $114K
4% of jobs
$114K - $118.8K
15% of jobs
$118.8K - $123.5K
3% of jobs
$71.5K
$100.2K
$123.5K
How much do cal fire helicopter pilot jobs pay per year?
As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for cal fire helicopter pilot in the United States is $100,249.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,000.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What is a Cal Fire helicopter pilot?
A Cal Fire Helicopter Pilot operates helicopters for aerial firefighting, search and rescue, and emergency response missions. They transport crews, equipment, and water or fire retardant to combat wildfires across California. Pilots must have extensive flight experience, knowledge of fire suppression tactics, and the ability to perform in high-pressure environments. They work closely with ground crews and incident commanders to support fire suppression efforts safely and efficiently.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cal Fire helicopter pilot?
To thrive as a Cal Fire Helicopter Pilot, you need advanced piloting skills, a strong understanding of wildfire behavior, and extensive flight experience—typically supported by a commercial helicopter pilot license and relevant flight hours. Familiarity with specialized firefighting equipment, GPS navigation systems, and radio communication is required, along with completion of specific CAL FIRE and FAA certifications. Exceptional decision-making, calm under pressure, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills for this position. These capabilities help ensure operational safety, precise coordination during emergencies, and the successful execution of critical firefighting missions.
Is 40 too old to become a Cal Fire Helicopter Pilot?
Age is not a strict barrier to becoming a Cal Fire Helicopter Pilot, but candidates typically need to meet physical fitness standards, hold relevant certifications such as a commercial pilot license with rotorcraft ratings, and have flight experience. Many agencies value experience and skills over age, so individuals over 40 can pursue this career if they meet the qualifications and maintain good health.
How to be a Cal Fire helicopter pilot?
To become a Cal Fire helicopter pilot, candidates typically need a commercial helicopter pilot license, relevant flight experience, and specialized training in aerial firefighting operations. Applicants must also meet physical and medical requirements and often undergo agency-specific training and certification. Experience in emergency response and proficiency with helicopter systems are essential for this role.
What are the typical work hours and conditions for Cal Fire helicopter pilots?
Cal Fire Helicopter Pilots often work long shifts that can include weekends, holidays, and extended hours during peak wildfire seasons. The role involves rapid response to emergencies, which means pilots must be ready to mobilize quickly and operate in variable weather and challenging terrain. Work is typically team-oriented, partnering closely with ground crews, air attack supervisors, and dispatch operations. While demanding, the dynamic environment offers a rewarding sense of purpose and the opportunity to make a significant impact on public safety and environmental protection.
More about Cal Fire Helicopter Pilot jobs
What cities are hiring for Cal Fire Helicopter Pilot jobs?
Cities with the most Cal Fire Helicopter Pilot job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Cal Fire Helicopter Pilot jobs?
The most popular types of Cal Fire Helicopter Pilot jobs are:
What states have the most Cal Fire Helicopter Pilot jobs?
States with the most job openings for Cal Fire Helicopter Pilot jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Cal Fire Helicopter Pilot jobs look for?
The top searched job categories for Cal Fire Helicopter Pilot jobs are:
$87K - $95K/yr
Full-time
Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO
Re-posted 25 days ago
Job description
Job Description:
We invite you to join a team of highly skilled emergency medical experts, pilots and mechanics! Our mission of providing care to the world at a moment‘s notice is at the heart of everything we do. We are caregivers, first and foremost, and we will be there when you need us. This posting is for multiple Visual Flight Rules (VFR) positions, we have many other opportunities available! By applying through this posting, we are able to move your application to the open location of your choosing. This is not a Float Pilot position. Starting Salary Range: $87,019 – $95,720 Up to 30% geographic modifier, depending on location 15K Sign on Bonus 40K Retention Bonus after 3 years On Duty Housing at all locations 7/7 Schedule at most locations JOB SUMMARY
Ensures all operations involving Company aircraft are in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations, Air Evac EMS Operations Manual, and all state and municipal regulations.
Operates the aircraft in a safe and efficient manner, with emphasis on compliance with the Rotorcraft Flight Manual Monitors forecast changes and current weather situations Conducts preflight of the aircraft prior to starting shift and/or accepting transports or flights. Preflight will be conducted utilizing the appropriate rotorcraft flight manual. Discrepancies noted during the pre-flight will be noted in the engineering log with a notification to maintenance of the discrepancy and what corrective action is being taken Reports to his/her shift rested and prepared for duty and stays current of weather and forecast changes
QUALIFICATIONS Experience:
2000 hours total flight time 1500 hours helicopter time 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours unaided with 100 hours aided Previous HAA experience or equivalent – preferred
Education and Credentials:
Rotorcraft-Helicopter Commercial Certificate Rotorcraft-Helicopter Instrument Rating High school diploma or equivalent
Other:
230-pound weight limit dressed in flight suit and boots
Upload your Pilot License and FAA Medical Certificate
Global Medical Response teams deliver compassionate, quality medical care, primarily in the areas of emergency and patient relocation services around the world. We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare solutions and disaster response.
This is an evergreen role with no anticipated close date. EEO Statement:
Global Medical Response and its family of companies are an Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes supporting veterans and providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with a disability.
Pilots More Information about this Job:
Check out our careers site
benefits page
to learn more about our comprehensive benefit options, which include medical, vision, dental, 401k, disability, FSA, HSA, EAP, vacation and paid time off.
We invite you to join a team of highly skilled emergency medical experts, pilots and mechanics! Our mission of providing care to the world at a moment‘s notice is at the heart of everything we do. We are caregivers, first and foremost, and we will be there when you need us. This posting is for multiple Visual Flight Rules (VFR) positions, we have many other opportunities available! By applying through this posting, we are able to move your application to the open location of your choosing. This is not a Float Pilot position. Starting Salary Range: $87,019 – $95,720 Up to 30% geographic modifier, depending on location 15K Sign on Bonus 40K Retention Bonus after 3 years On Duty Housing at all locations 7/7 Schedule at most locations JOB SUMMARY
Ensures all operations involving Company aircraft are in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations, Air Evac EMS Operations Manual, and all state and municipal regulations.
Operates the aircraft in a safe and efficient manner, with emphasis on compliance with the Rotorcraft Flight Manual Monitors forecast changes and current weather situations Conducts preflight of the aircraft prior to starting shift and/or accepting transports or flights. Preflight will be conducted utilizing the appropriate rotorcraft flight manual. Discrepancies noted during the pre-flight will be noted in the engineering log with a notification to maintenance of the discrepancy and what corrective action is being taken Reports to his/her shift rested and prepared for duty and stays current of weather and forecast changes
QUALIFICATIONS Experience:
2000 hours total flight time 1500 hours helicopter time 1000 hours helicopter pilot in command 500 hours turbine 100 hours night unaided, or 50 hours unaided with 100 hours aided Previous HAA experience or equivalent – preferred
Education and Credentials:
Rotorcraft-Helicopter Commercial Certificate Rotorcraft-Helicopter Instrument Rating High school diploma or equivalent
Other:
230-pound weight limit dressed in flight suit and boots
Upload your Pilot License and FAA Medical Certificate
Global Medical Response teams deliver compassionate, quality medical care, primarily in the areas of emergency and patient relocation services around the world. We provide end-to-end medical transportation as well as fire services, integrated healthcare solutions and disaster response.
This is an evergreen role with no anticipated close date. EEO Statement:
Global Medical Response and its family of companies are an Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes supporting veterans and providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with a disability.
Pilots More Information about this Job:
Check out our careers site
benefits page
to learn more about our comprehensive benefit options, which include medical, vision, dental, 401k, disability, FSA, HSA, EAP, vacation and paid time off.
About Air Evac Lifeteam
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Hospitals
Company size
1,001 - 5,000 Employees
Headquarters location
O'Fallon, MO, US
Year founded
1985