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Contract Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MX Store

Ferry Pilot (Contract Role)

Defiance, OH

$600/day

Position Summary The Ferry Pilot is a contract position responsible for transporting aircraft across the country on behalf of TAS Aviation. Missions include picking up customer aircraft and ferrying ...

MX Store

Ferry Pilot (Contract Role)

Defiance, OH · On-site

$600/day

Position Summary The Ferry Pilot is a contract position responsible for transporting aircraft across the country on behalf of TAS Aviation. Missions include picking up customer aircraft and ferrying ...

Clay Lacy Aviation

$330K - $350K/yr

... Pilot (ACP), and Trip Support Specialists. You will ensure crew compliance with applicable ... Position Type : Full-time only; no contract * Location : Northeast or South Florida * Operation ...

MX Store

Ferry Pilot (Contract Role)

Defiance, OH

$600/day

Position Summary The Ferry Pilot is a contract position responsible for transporting aircraft across the country on behalf of TAS Aviation. Missions include picking up customer aircraft and ferrying ...

Reliable Robotics

Lead Test Pilot

San Martin, CA

$180K - $225K/yr

You will coordinate the training and scheduling of contract pilots, and help to ensure that all aspects of experimental flight operations are set up for safety and success. You will coordinate with ...

Reliable Robotics

Chief Test Pilot

San Martin, CA

$190K - $260K/yr

Responsibilities In your role as Chief Test Pilot, you will serve as the primary experimental test pilot and coordinate the training and scheduling of all contract pilots. You will ensure that all ...

Reliable Robotics

Lead Test Pilot

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$180K - $225K/yr

You will coordinate the training and scheduling of contract pilots, and help to ensure that all aspects of experimental flight operations are set up for safety and success. You will coordinate with ...

Reliable Robotics

Chief Test Pilot

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$190K - $260K/yr

Responsibilities In your role as Chief Test Pilot, you will serve as the primary experimental test pilot and coordinate the training and scheduling of all contract pilots. You will ensure that all ...

Crossing Hurdles

Pilot

Manhattan, NY · Remote

$180 - $300/hr

Hourly Contract (Remote) Compensation: $180-$300/hour Location: Remote Role Responsibilities Use your professional experience as an Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer to design questions ...

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Contract Pilot information

See salary details

$49.5K

$130.9K

$201K

How much do contract pilot jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract 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 Does a Contract Pilot Do?

A contract pilot is an aviation professional who operates helicopters, charter planes, or another aircraft on a per-job basis. As a contract pilot, you work directly with corporate or individual clients to fly an aircraft between locations and transport passengers or cargo. Your contract may be for a single trip or multiple trips. However, you operate as an independent contractor, so you are responsible for maintaining your credentials and insurance. Working as a contract pilot provides you with greater flexibility than being a pilot for an airline or the military.

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

To thrive as a Contract Pilot, you need extensive flight experience, an active commercial or airline transport pilot license (CPL/ATPL), and current medical certification. Familiarity with specific aircraft types, proficiency in using advanced avionics systems, and completion of required type ratings are typically necessary. Strong decision-making, adaptability, and effective communication skills help you manage diverse flying environments and coordinate with clients and crews. These competencies ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and reliable service in varied and dynamic aviation assignments.

What are some common challenges faced by contract pilots when adapting to different aircraft and client expectations?

Contract pilots often fly a variety of aircraft types for different clients, which can require quick adaptation to new cockpit layouts, avionics systems, and company-specific procedures. Additionally, each client may have unique operational standards and expectations regarding communication, scheduling, and reporting. Staying organized, maintaining up-to-date certifications, and being proactive in learning new processes are key strategies for overcoming these challenges. Strong interpersonal skills also help contract pilots integrate smoothly with new crews and flight departments.

What are contract pilots?

Contract pilots are professional pilots who are hired on a temporary or per-assignment basis, rather than as full-time employees of an airline or company. They typically operate private jets, corporate aircraft, or charter flights for individuals or organizations that need flight services for a limited period. Contract pilots are responsible for pre-flight planning, operating the aircraft safely, ensuring compliance with aviation regulations, and sometimes handling administrative tasks related to each flight. This flexible arrangement allows both pilots and employers to meet their scheduling and operational needs without long-term commitments.

What is the difference between Contract Pilot vs Commercial Pilot?

AspectContract PilotCommercial Pilot
CertificationsCommercial Pilot Certificate, possibly additional type ratingsCommercial Pilot Certificate, multi-engine ratings often required
Work EnvironmentHired on a temporary basis for specific contracts, often freelanceEmployed by airlines, charter companies, or corporate operators
Employer & Industry UsageContract basis across various operators, including private and cargoFull-time or part-time employment within commercial aviation

Contract pilots typically hold a commercial pilot certificate and work on a temporary or project basis, often flying for multiple operators. Commercial pilots are usually employed full-time by airlines or companies, with a focus on scheduled or charter flights. The main difference lies in employment type and job stability, with contract pilots offering flexibility and diverse opportunities, while commercial pilots often have more consistent employment within the commercial aviation industry.

More about Contract Pilot jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Pilot jobs? Cities with the most Contract Pilot job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Pilot jobs? The most popular types of Pilot jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Pilot jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Pilot jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Pilot jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Pilot jobs are:
Contract Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Pilot job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 9% Full Time, 51% Part Time, and 37% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $130,916 per year, or $62.9 per hour.
Contract Instructor Pilot

Contract Instructor Pilot

LB&B Associates Inc.

Virginia Beach, VA

Other

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

LB&B Associates Inc. is hiring an on-call Contract Instructor Pilot to support our team at NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA.

Qualifications: A CI must be or have been an F/A 18 Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) qualified Pilot, qualified in a tactical, fixed-wing Naval jet aircraft within five (5) years of being hired as a F/A-18 simulator instructor or have been acting as an instructor on a simulator for a tactical, fixed-wing Naval jet aircraft within the past five (5) years. A CI shall have a minimum of 800 flying hours in tactical, fixed-wing Naval jet aircraft.
Certifications: A CI must successfully complete the F/A-18 E, F and G NATOPS open-book, closed-book, oral and boldface exams and annually renew qualifications with the Fleet Readiness Squadron (FRS). A CI must demonstrate an understanding of the F/A-18 mission, crew procedures, tactics, Air Combat Maneuvering, airborne Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) threats, Replacement Pilot and Replacement Weapons Systems Officer (RP/RWSO) syllabi and curriculum change forms, aircraft weapons employment, carrier operations, RADAR intercept geometry and current known F/A-18 E, F, and G threats. CI's will be qualified to instruct within all phases of the FRS syllabus.
Clearance: Must possess an Active DOD SECRET Clearance and be able to maintain a cleared status while employed by LB&B on this contract.
Education: Bachelor's degree required
The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Employer is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other protected factor by country, regional or local law.

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