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Contract Air Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Akima, LLC

Chief Pilot

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

... Air Force instructions (e.g., AFMAN 11-2H-60, AFI 11-202V3), FAA regulations, and contract requirements. The Chief Pilot personally performs FCF, MTF, and ferry duties as required, serving as a ...

KBR

KC-130 Pilot

California, MD

$155K - $225K/yr

KC-130 Pilot KBR is seeking a highly qualified C/KC-130 Pilot to support tasking at the Naval Air ... Must be able to travel up to 25% as required by contract. * Note: This is a full-time position, but ...

RAVN Aerospace

Pilot - El Paso

El Paso, TX

Pre-mission coordination of administrative aspects of contract support. Pre-mission pilot coordination calls with the customer and other air assets. Build, disseminate and close out daily flight ...

KBR Careers

KC-130 Pilot (Port Hueneme)

Port Hueneme, CA · On-site

$155K - $225K/yr

... Air Test and Evaluation Squadron THREE ZERO (VX-30) at NAS Point Mugu, CA. As part of the world ... Must be able to travel up to 25% as required by contract. * This is a full‑time position, but ...

KBR

KC-130 Pilot (California)

California, MO · On-site

$155K - $225K/yr

KC-130 Pilot KBR is seeking a highly qualified C/KC-130 Pilot to support tasking at the Naval Air ... Must be able to travel up to 25% as required by contract. * Note: This is a full-time position, but ...

KBR, Inc

KC-130 Pilot (California)

California, MO · On-site

$155K - $225K/yr

C/KC-130 PilotKBR is seeking a highly qualified C/KC-130 Pilot to support tasking at the Naval Air ... Must be able to travel up to 25% as required by contract.* Note: This is a full-time position, but ...

Guardian Flight

Fixed Wing Pilot

Monticello, UT · On-site

$104K - $114K/yr

No Training Contract. * Up to 3,000 in Relocation Assistance. * Company Paid Crew Housing. * Company Paid ATP-CTP (If not already completed). We're hiring a Fixed Wing Pilot to provide medical air ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsContract Air Pilot Jobs

Contract Air Pilot information

See salary details

$49.5K

$130.9K

$201K

How much do contract air pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract air pilot in the United States is $130,916.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract air pilot?

Contract Air Pilots are professional pilots who are hired on a temporary or per-assignment basis, rather than as full-time employees. They may operate a variety of aircraft, including private jets, cargo planes, or helicopters, depending on the needs of their clients. Contract Air Pilots often work for multiple employers, such as private individuals, corporations, or charter companies, and may be responsible for their own licensing, training, and insurance. This flexible arrangement allows both pilots and employers to meet short-term or specialized aviation needs. Contract pilots must comply with the same safety and regulatory standards as full-time pilots.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract air pilot?

To thrive as a Contract Air Pilot, you need a commercial pilot license, comprehensive flight experience, and up-to-date medical certification. Familiarity with various aircraft, flight management systems, and navigation tools is essential, and additional type ratings or instrument ratings are often required. Strong situational awareness, decision-making, and communication skills are crucial for handling dynamic flight conditions and coordinating with ground teams. These competencies ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and efficient operations in a role that often demands flexibility and adaptability.

What are some common challenges contract air pilots face when transitioning between different employers or flight operations?

Contract Air Pilots often encounter the challenge of quickly adapting to new aircraft types, company procedures, and operational protocols when moving between employers or assignments. Each organization may have unique safety standards, communication practices, and scheduling systems, requiring pilots to be highly adaptable and detail-oriented. Building rapport with new crew members and understanding the expectations of different flight departments are also essential for maintaining smooth operations and ensuring safety. Staying current with certifications and regulatory requirements across various jurisdictions can further add complexity to the role.

What is the difference between Contract Air Pilot vs Commercial Pilot?

AspectContract Air PilotCommercial Pilot
CredentialsCommercial Pilot Certificate, possibly additional type ratingsCommercial Pilot Certificate, multi-engine ratings often required
Work EnvironmentCharter services, private contracts, on-demand flightsAirlines, charter companies, cargo carriers
Employer & IndustryPrivate clients, companies offering specialized flight servicesAirlines, freight, tourism

Contract Air Pilots typically operate on a freelance basis, providing specialized or on-demand flight services for private clients or companies. Commercial Pilots work for airlines or commercial operators, often with more structured employment. Both roles require a Commercial Pilot Certificate, but Contract Air Pilots often have more flexibility and varied work environments.

More about Contract Air Pilot jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Air Pilot jobs? Cities with the most Contract Air Pilot job openings:
What states have the most Contract Air Pilot jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Air Pilot jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Air Pilot jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Air Pilot jobs are:
Contract Air Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Air Pilot job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,916 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Remote Pilot Operator - Full-Time

ClancyJG International

Houston, TX • On-site

$20.36/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

What this job is:

You'll work inside high-fidelity Air Traffic Control (ATC) simulators, voicing the role of pilots and remote facilities so trainee air traffic controllers can practice on realistic traffic before they touch a live scope. When a student issues a clearance, you respond. When they give a heading, you read it back. You are the other side of the frequency.

This is a performance-sensitive role. It requires fast, accurate data entry, clean verbal communication, and the ability to stay sharp under exactly the kind of pressure you're generating for the trainee.

What you'll do:
  • Operate simulated radar and voice communication systems to portray pilots and remote ATC facilities during medium and high-fidelity training exercises.
  • Receive voice instructions from students, enter accurate data into the automated system, and respond using correct ATC phraseology in real time.
  • Maintain consistent, realistic performance across multiple training positions.

After hire, you'll complete two certifications: a Classroom cert covering airspace knowledge and procedures, and a Lab cert demonstrating RPO performance across all positions.

What you need:
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Typing: 40 WPM at 90% accuracy, minimum
  • Clear spoken English
  • At least one year of work experience
About the Contract:

This position is located at the Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZHU) in Houston, Texas. ZHU manages airspace across Texas, Louisiana, and the Gulf of America, including offshore and international traffic into Houston.

Aviation or ATC background is a plus but by no means required.