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Chief Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Chief Instructor information

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$33K

$124.4K

$200.5K

How much do chief instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief instructor in the United States is $124,409.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,000.00 and $146,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chief instructor?

Chief Instructors are senior professionals responsible for overseeing the training and instruction within an organization, such as a flight school, martial arts academy, or educational institution. They develop curricula, mentor other instructors, and ensure that teaching standards and safety protocols are maintained. Chief Instructors often play a key leadership role, setting policies, evaluating performance, and sometimes teaching advanced courses themselves. Their expertise and guidance are crucial in maintaining high-quality instruction and student success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Instructor, you need deep subject matter expertise, strong teaching abilities, and relevant certifications or degrees in your field. Familiarity with curriculum development tools, learning management systems (LMS), and assessment software is typically required. Exceptional leadership, communication, and mentoring skills help you motivate instructors and guide students effectively. These skills are vital for maintaining high educational standards, fostering team cohesion, and ensuring successful learning outcomes.

What are some common challenges faced by chief instructors, and how can they effectively address them?

Chief Instructors often encounter challenges such as balancing administrative duties with hands-on teaching, ensuring consistent training standards across instructors, and adapting to diverse learning styles among students. To address these, Chief Instructors can implement regular team meetings, provide ongoing professional development for their staff, and establish clear communication channels. Additionally, staying updated on industry best practices and fostering a collaborative work environment helps maintain high-quality instruction and supports team cohesion.

What is the difference between Chief Instructor vs Lead Instructor?

AspectChief InstructorLead Instructor
CredentialsCertifications in teaching, safety, and subject expertiseSimilar certifications, often with additional leadership training
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple classes or programs, administrative dutiesConducts classes directly, mentors other instructors
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions, training centers, sports academiesFitness centers, martial arts schools, outdoor adventure programs

The main difference is that the Chief Instructor typically holds a higher leadership and administrative role, overseeing programs and other instructors, while the Lead Instructor primarily focuses on direct teaching and mentoring. Both roles require similar certifications, but the Chief Instructor has broader responsibilities.

More about Chief Instructor jobs
What states have the most Chief Instructor jobs? States with the most job openings for Chief Instructor jobs include:
Infographic showing various Chief Instructor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,409 per year, or $59.8 per hour.

Chief Instructor / Flight Standardization Pilot

AAR Corporation

Fort Novosel, AL

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


AAR Corp rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

23rd of 65 rated aviation services


Job description

This position is pending contract award.  The anticipated start date is February 1, 2027.

Description 

The Chief Instructor / Flight Standardization Pilot serves as the senior technical authority for pilot standardization, ensuring all flight operations, training programs, and procedures meet the highest levels of safety, regulatory compliance, and operational proficiency. As the Chief Flight Standardization Pilot you will plan, organize, direct, and control all phases of flight operations. This position is responsible for both Operations and Maintenance standardization, providing unified oversight across flight, simulator, and academic environments. 

The Chief Flight Standardization Pilot must be qualified as an Instructor Pilot/Maintenance Test Pilot Course (IP/MTPC) graduate, centrally located, and readily available to coordinate with the Government Flight Representative (GFR) to ensure compliance with AR 9520 and all contract requirements. This role drives uniformity in flight execution, maintains alignment with FAA and military standards, and supports continuous improvement in pilot performance, documentation, and operational readiness. 

What You Will Be Responsible For 

  • Lead and manage all pilot standardization programs to ensure consistent application of SOPs, checklists, CRM practices, and operational procedures. 
  • Plan, organize, direct, and control all phases of flight operations, ensuring standardized execution across Ops and Maintenance activities. 
  • Serve as head of the Standardization and Evaluation Board, maintaining flight SOPs aligned with industry, FAA, and military best practices. 
  • Oversee development, publication, and control of operating manuals-including aircraftspecific manuals-ensuring accuracy and currency. 
  • Collaborate with training teams to design and deliver training programs that elevate pilot proficiency and standardization across all operational environments. 
  • Conduct pilot evaluations, check rides, and standardization assessments in academic, simulator, and aircraft settings. 
  • Ensure all flight operations comply with FAA regulations, operational specifications, organizational standards, and AR 9520 requirements. 
  • Coordinate directly with the GFR to maintain compliance with contract requirements, operational directives, and standardization expectations. 
  • Support the Aviation Safety Officer in incident reviews, root cause analysis, and corrective action planning. 
  • Partner with engineering, maintenance, support, and deployed operations teams to integrate training, documentation, and operational feedback. 
  • Maintain and update ground and flight operating procedures for internal and external use. 
  • Provide technical leadership to flight crews, instructors, and operational teams to ensure safe, standardized, and missionready operations. 
  • All other duties as assigned. 
     

What You Will Need to Be Successful in This Role 

  • Minimum 10 years of helicopter aviation experience, including support of U.S. Army or government aviation training programs.  
  • Minimum2,000 hourstotal rotorcraft time and1,000 hoursinstructor pilot time.  
  • 500  NVG/NVS experience and100 hours of instrument time. 
  • Extensive aviation experience in military or commercial operations with a strong record of technical and operational leadership. 
  • Deep knowledge of FAA regulations, Part 141 operations, and pilot standardization requirements. 
  • Demonstrated experience leading standardization programs, evaluation boards, or pilot training organizations. 
  • Strong technical proficiency in aircraft systems, flight operations, and safety management systems. 
  • Prior experience as a Chief Pilot, Flight Standardization Officer, or equivalent leadership role in a certificated operator. 
  • Instructor Pilot/Maintenance Test Pilot Course (IP/MTPC) graduate required. 
  • Proven ability to lead crossfunctional teams and influence highperformance operational culture. 
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferred; Master's preferred 
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a secret clearance.
    • In order to hold a secret clearance, US Citizenship is required.

The rewards of your career at AAR go far beyond just your salary: 

  • Competitive compensation. 
  • Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage. 
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match. 
  • Generous paid time off program. 
  • Professional development and career advancement opportunities. 

Physical Demands / Work Environment 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about the facility. 
    The environmental characteristic for this position is an office setting. Candidates should be able to adapt to a traditional business environment. 

AAR provides accommodation in accordance with applicable laws through all stages of the hiring process. If you require accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please advise Human Resources. 

#LI-LM1 #LI-Onsite
 


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