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Chief Instructor Pilot Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Chief Instructor Pilot information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$37.6K

$185.7K

$266.9K

How much do chief instructor pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief instructor pilot in Seattle, WA is $185,718.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $138,800.00 and $235,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Chief Instructor Pilot vs Flight Instructor?

AspectChief Instructor PilotFlight Instructor
CertificationsCommercial Pilot License, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and often additional instructor ratingsCommercial Pilot License and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
Work EnvironmentLeads flight training programs, oversees other instructors, and ensures training standards at flight schools or airlinesProvides individual flight training to students, conducts lessons, and evaluates student progress
Employer & Industry UsageAirlines, flight schools, and aviation academiesFlight schools, aviation training centers, and private flight training

The main difference between a Chief Instructor Pilot and a Flight Instructor lies in their responsibilities and leadership roles. The Chief Instructor Pilot oversees training programs and manages other instructors, while the Flight Instructor focuses on delivering flight training to students. Both roles require similar certifications, but the Chief Instructor Pilot holds additional leadership duties within the training organization.

What is a chief instructor pilot?

Chief Instructor Pilots are highly experienced pilots responsible for overseeing the training programs and standards for other pilots within an organization, such as a flight school, airline, or military unit. They develop and implement training curricula, ensure compliance with aviation regulations, and evaluate the performance of instructors and students. Chief Instructor Pilots also serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory authorities and are responsible for maintaining the highest levels of safety and proficiency among flight crews. Their leadership is critical in fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief instructor pilot?

To thrive as a Chief Instructor Pilot, you need advanced piloting skills, extensive flight hours, instructor certifications, and in-depth knowledge of aviation regulations. Familiarity with flight simulators, training management systems, and current aircraft technologies is typically required. Strong leadership, effective communication, and the ability to mentor and evaluate other pilots are critical soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure rigorous safety standards, high-quality training, and operational excellence within a flight training organization.

What are some common challenges faced by a chief instructor pilot, and how can they be addressed?

As a Chief Instructor Pilot, one of the main challenges is balancing administrative responsibilities with hands-on instruction and flight oversight. Managing a team of instructors, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and maintaining high training quality can be demanding. Effective delegation, clear communication, and staying updated with industry regulations are key strategies to address these challenges. Additionally, fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement helps ensure both instructor and student success.
What job categories do people searching Chief Instructor Pilot jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Chief Instructor Pilot jobs in Seattle, WA are:
What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Chief Instructor Pilot jobs? Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Chief Instructor Pilot job openings:
Infographic showing various Chief Instructor Pilot job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 53% Full Time, 42% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $185,718 per year, or $89.3 per hour.

Air Traffic Control Instructor - Adjunct

Green River College

Auburn, WA

$101.95 - $113.93/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Green River College rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

55th of 616 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Position Summary ABOUT THE COLLEGE: Green River College's student body is made up of approximately 41% Academic Transfer students, 34% Professional-Technical, 15% Adult Basic Education, 3% Applied Bachelor degrees. Green River College has four campuses, including the main campus in Auburn, with satellite campuses in Kent, downtown Auburn, and Enumclaw. Green River programs serve high school graduates, Running Start students (dual enrollment in local high schools and the college), those seeking retraining for the workforce, international students, students learning English, and Continuing Education students.

Green River's service areas are increasingly ethnically diverse, comprising African Americans, African immigrants, Asian Americans, Asians, Latinx, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Middle Eastern Americans, among other communities. COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION: Green River College is committed to enhancing and supporting a diverse campus environment, incorporating principles of equity in order to promote inclusive practices. Diversity is understood in terms of intersectional identities defined by culture, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, social class, disability, religion, veteran status, immigration status, and age.

Given the diversity of our student population and service areas, we encourage applications from faculty, staff, and administrators with demonstrated experience and expertise in supporting, sustaining and serving people from a wide range of backgrounds and collaborating effectively with others. PURPOSE OF POSITION: The Technology Division is accepting applications to be considered for adjunct instruction. Adjunct instructors are appointed quarter to quarter based on student enrollment.

For specifics, applicants should contact the division for more information. Green River College welcomes individuals who have a commitment to teach and the ability to utilize a variety of methods and modes of instruction to ensure student success. Given the diversity of our student population, we encourage applications from individuals who can adapt instructional methods to a wide range of student backgrounds and interests.

The successful candidate must be able to teach in the areas of Air Traffic Control including local control and ground control. The applicant must possess a Control Tower Operation (CTO) Certificate. In addition, the applicant may be asked to teach other subjects including fixed-wing pilot ground schools and aviation weather.

Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Three-years professional (paid) experience as an Air Traffic Controller with a Control Tower Operator certificate (CTO) Knowledge of Code Federal Regulations: 7110.65 o Part 61- Pilot and Flight Instructor Certification procedures o Part 91 - General Operating Rules Demonstrated experience working with staff and students from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: One year of successful experience in aviation instruction Bachelor's degree in aviation Teaching experience in the field of air traffic control Supplemental Information Attach the following with your completed online application and responses to the Supplemental Questions (located under the tab titled "Supplemental Questions") to be considered for this position. A Cover Letter which specifically describes how you meet each qualification Resume Supplemental question(s) (*) Should you have any difficulties uploading the below documents, please contact NeoGov tech support at 1-855-524-5627 Mon-Fri 6 a.m

- 6 p.m. pacific time. At this time, Green River College is not sponsoring for H1-B Visas

This position is part of a bargaining unit subject to a collective bargaining agreement. All offers of employment are subject to background checks. (Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.

Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.) Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law RCW 28B.112.080. Green River College is a tobacco free campus

For more information on the tobacco policy, please visit the following link: https://www.greenriver.edu/campus/policies-and-procedures/general-administrative-policies/ga-2-tobacco-use-policy/ Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report- Green River College's Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at www.greenriver.edu/CleryASFR, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information for the past three calendar years. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 253-288-3350. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director of Human Resources, 12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn, WA 98092-3622, (253) 288-3320

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Support Services at (253) 833-9111, ext. 2631; TTY (253) 288-3359. Equal Opportunity Employer and Statement of Non-Discrimination: Green River College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, perceived or actual sensory, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal.

Green River College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sex-based harassment, and sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to Green River College's Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, or both

Reporting: Any employee, student, applicant, or visitor who believes that he, she or they have been the subject of discrimination or harassment should report the incident or incidents to the College's appropriate Title IX Coordinator identified below. If the complaint is against that Coordinator, the complainant should report the matter to the President's office for referral to an alternate designee. For students/employees/public/visitors/applicants: Korland Simmons, Title IX Coordinator Equity, Diversity, Inclusion.


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