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Certified Flight Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Flight Instructor

Austin, TX · On-site

$46 - $55/hr

FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) & CFII * 1,000 hours total time and 500 hours dual given * Valid FAA medical certificate (3rd class or better) * 50 hours PIC in Cirrus aircraft strongly ...

Saint Louis University

Flight Instructor PRN

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$30/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Knowledge and instructor certification appropriate to the position sought * Knowledge of various flight instruction instrumentation and equipment * Interpersonal/human relations skills * Verbal and ...

Saint Louis University

Flight Instructor PRN

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$30/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Knowledge and instructor certification appropriate to the position sought * Knowledge of various flight instruction instrumentation and equipment * Interpersonal/human relations skills * Verbal and ...

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Certified Flight Instructor information

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$25K

$94.6K

$145.5K

How much do certified flight instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for certified flight instructor in the United States is $94,620.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,000.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Certified Flight Instructor vs Flight Instructor?

AspectCertified Flight InstructorFlight Instructor
CredentialsRequires FAA Certified Flight Instructor certificateMay refer to any instructor without specific certification
Work EnvironmentFlight schools, training aircraft, flight simulatorsFlight training environments, flight schools
Industry UsageOfficial certification for instructing studentsGeneral term for anyone teaching flying

Certified Flight Instructor is a specific credential required to legally instruct student pilots, whereas Flight Instructor is a broader term that may include uncertified or non-credentialed instructors. The Certified Flight Instructor designation ensures standardized training and certification recognized by the FAA, making it essential for professional flight training roles.

Are certified flight instructors in demand?

Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) are generally in steady demand as they play a key role in training new pilots and maintaining pilot certification standards. The demand can fluctuate based on the aviation industry, pilot training needs, and regional factors, but overall, CFIs are essential for pilot development and often find consistent employment opportunities.

What are some common challenges faced by certified flight instructors during flight training sessions?

Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) often encounter challenges such as adapting their teaching style to different learning speeds and personalities, ensuring student safety while allowing hands-on experience, and managing varied weather conditions that can affect lesson plans. Additionally, CFIs must remain vigilant and patient, providing clear feedback while maintaining regulatory compliance and documentation. Balancing administrative responsibilities, flight scheduling, and continuous professional development are also part of the daily routine for many instructors.

How do you become a certified flight instructor?

To become a certified flight instructor, you must hold a commercial pilot certificate, complete an FAA-approved flight instructor training course, pass the FAA written knowledge exam, and successfully complete a checkride with an FAA-designated pilot examiner. This process verifies your flying skills and teaching ability, enabling you to instruct student pilots and help them gain flight experience.

What is a certified flight instructor?

A Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) is a pilot who has earned additional certification to teach others how to fly aircraft. CFIs provide instruction to student pilots, help them prepare for written and practical exams, and ensure they meet the required standards for obtaining pilot licenses. They may also provide advanced training to licensed pilots who want to improve their skills or add new ratings. Becoming a CFI requires holding at least a commercial pilot certificate, passing written knowledge tests, and demonstrating instructional proficiency through practical exams.

How much can you make as a certified flight instructor?

Certified flight instructors typically earn between $25,000 and $50,000 annually, with pay often increasing with experience, location, and the number of flight hours logged. Many instructors supplement their income through flight hour bonuses or by working at flight schools that offer additional pay incentives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a certified flight instructor?

To thrive as a Certified Flight Instructor, you need strong aeronautical knowledge, advanced piloting skills, and a current FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate. Familiarity with flight training devices, aviation weather systems, and electronic logbook tools is essential. Exceptional communication, patience, and instructional ability help instructors effectively teach and motivate student pilots. These skills ensure safe, effective flight training and support student progress toward pilot certification.
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Certified Flight Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Certified Flight Instructor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,620 per year, or $45.5 per hour.

ASSISTANT CHIEF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR

SPARTAN COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS AND TECHNOLOGY

Broomfield, CO • On-site

$75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Summary
The Assistant Chief Flight Instructor is responsible to provide safe, effective, and efficient FAA Part 141 flight instruction operations for the Flight School that is in accordance with all local, state, and federal guidelines.
Essential Functions
  • Directs daily operations to ensure compliance with FAA regulations
  • Makes hiring recommendations, trains staff, and evaluates performance
  • Develops Training Course Outlines, Training Manuals and Procedures
  • Monitors pilot proficiency and currency
  • Monitor FAA 141 required 80% pass rate
  • Certifying each student's training record, graduation certificate, stage check and end-of-course test reports, and recommendation for course completion, unless the duties are delegated by the chief instructor to an assistant chief instructor or recommending instructor
  • Ensuring that each certificated flight instructor, certificated ground instructor, passes an initial proficiency check prior to that instructor being assigned instructing duties in the school's approved training course, and thereafter that the instructor passes a recurrent proficiency check every twelve calendar months after the month in which the initial test was accomplished
  • Ensuring that each student accomplishes the required stage checks and end-of-course tests in accordance with the school's approved training course
  • Maintaining training techniques, procedures, and standards for the school that are acceptable to the Administrator
  • Ensures FAA Part 141 Instructor records are accurate and up to date
  • Audits flight training records regularly
  • Follow objectives of course syllabus
  • Promote a positive learning environment
  • Motivate and encourage students to attend class regularly and apply themselves to their course of study
  • Maintain clear and consistent communication using a variety of teaching methods.
  • Maintain records on each student to include grading and attendance
  • Ensure that all students are held accountable for flight campus rules and regulations
  • Recommend improvements in course design, materials, equipment, and facilities that may enhance student's learning experiences and preparation for employment
  • Develop and implement an annual professional development plan to enhance career growth

Knowledge / Skills
  • Ability to work rotating shifts including weekends, holidays, and days-off
  • Demonstrates good judgment and confidentiality
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with a strong emphasis on customer service
  • Excellent time management, follow-through, and organizational skills
  • Effective communication and ability to build relationships with all levels of management and pilots
  • Strategic and forward-thinker
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities with a high degree of accuracy
  • Intermediate to advanced computer skills in Word, Excel, and Outlook
  • Strong knowledge of flight software

Education and Work Experience
  • High School diploma or GED required
  • Active pursuit of undergraduate degree highly sought
  • Hold a commercial pilot or an airline transport pilot certificate and, a current flight instructor certificate. The certificates must contain the appropriate aircraft category, class, and instrument ratings if an instrument rating is required by the course of training for the category and class of aircraft used in the course.
    • At least 500 hours as pilot in command; or 1000 hours as pilot in command preferred
    • 50 hours of flight time under actual or simulated instrument conditions and;
    • Flight training experience, acquired as either a certified flight instructor or an instructor in a military pilot flight training program, or a combination thereof, consisting of at least
      • 1 years and a total of 250 flight hours; or

500 flight hours.
To be eligible for designation as an assistant chief instructor for a ground school course, a person must have six (6) months of experience as a ground school instructor at a certificated pilot school.
Certificates, License, Registrations
  • CFI required
  • CFII required
  • MEI required
  • FAA Class II Medical preferred
  • FAA Class III Medical required

Supervisory Responsibilities
  • Assigned Flight Instructors

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position requires a person to stand or sit for a prolonged period, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds, along with monitor engine operations of functioning, and communicate and coordinate vehicle or aircraft movement. This position also requires a person to maneuver an aircraft for extended periods of time in all various types of weather conditions. The long days can be physically demanding.
AAP/EEO Statement
Spartan College provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. Further, the company takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated during employment without regard to any of these characteristics. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.
In keeping with the above conviction, Spartan College is committed to assuring that:
All recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, and other employment related programs are provided fairly to all persons on an equal opportunity basis without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Employment decisions are based on the principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action; and all personnel actions such as compensation, benefits, transfers, training, and participation in social and recreational programs are administered without regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Benefits
401(k) and Employer Match
Medical insurance
HSA/FSA
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Employee Assistance Program
Tuition Reimbursement/Employee Scholarship
Sick Paid time off

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