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Designated Pilot Examiner Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Designated Pilot Examiner information

See Minnesota salary details

$32.8K

$60.1K

$97K

How much do designated pilot examiner jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for designated pilot examiner in Minnesota is $60,099.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,000.00 and $68,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a designated pilot examiner?

A Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) is an experienced pilot authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct practical tests, or checkrides, for pilot applicants. DPEs evaluate a candidate’s flying skills and knowledge to determine if they meet the standards required for a pilot certificate or rating. While they are not FAA employees, they act on behalf of the FAA to ensure aviation safety and compliance with regulations. DPEs play a crucial role in the certification process, helping to maintain high standards in pilot training and qualifications.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a designated pilot examiner?

To excel as a Designated Pilot Examiner, you need extensive flight experience, in-depth knowledge of FAA regulations, and a current commercial or airline transport pilot certificate, often with instructor credentials. Familiarity with FAA testing standards, electronic record-keeping systems, and proficiency in using flight training devices are essential. Strong interpersonal communication, impartiality, and attention to detail are vital soft skills for effectively evaluating candidates. These competencies ensure thorough, fair assessments that uphold aviation safety and regulatory compliance.

What challenges do designated pilot examiners face during checkrides?

Designated Pilot Examiners often face challenges such as managing applicant nerves, ensuring adherence to FAA standards, and balancing objectivity with clear communication. DPEs must conduct fair, standardized evaluations while also making applicants feel comfortable enough to perform their best. To manage these challenges, most DPEs establish a professional but approachable rapport, clearly outline expectations, and consistently reference FAA guidelines to ensure transparency and fairness throughout the checkride process.

What is the difference between Designated Pilot Examiner vs Flight Instructor?

AspectDesignated Pilot ExaminerFlight Instructor
CredentialsFAA Designated Pilot Examiner certificationFAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certification
Work EnvironmentConducts checkrides at designated testing locationsProvides flight training and instruction to students
Employer & Industry UsageFAA, Part 135/121 operators, flight schoolsFlight schools, flying clubs, individual instructors

While both roles require FAA certifications, a Designated Pilot Examiner primarily conducts pilot checkrides to assess proficiency, whereas a Flight Instructor provides training and instruction to help students achieve pilot certifications. The roles are distinct but complementary within the aviation industry.

How do you become a designated pilot examiner?

To become a designated pilot examiner, an individual must hold an active commercial pilot certificate, have significant flying experience, and be recommended by their employer or a certified flight instructor. They must also complete FAA training and certification processes, including passing written and practical exams, to be authorized to conduct pilot checkrides and issue certificates.

How much do designated pilot examiners make?

Designated Pilot Examiners typically earn between $300 and $600 per flight exam, with annual salaries ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 depending on the number of exams conducted and their location. They are often certified pilots with extensive flight experience and may work independently or for aviation authorities.

What are popular job titles related to Designated Pilot Examiner jobs in Minnesota?

For Designated Pilot Examiner jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Designated Pilot Examiner jobs in Minnesota look for?

The top searched job categories for Designated Pilot Examiner jobs in Minnesota are:

Infographic showing various Designated Pilot Examiner job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,099 per year, or $28.9 per hour.

Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations), Assistant Aircrew Program Manager (AAPM) - Flight Program

Department of Transportation

Minneapolis, MN

$90K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


California Conservation Corps rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

545th of 854 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

The Assistant Aircrew Program Manager (AAPM) serves as a full assistant to an Aircrew Program Manager (APM) and is responsible for the adequacy of aircrew ground and flight training/testing and standards for specific aircraft of an assigned air carrier. Assists in the management of programs on assigned aircraft including designated examiners and/or Aircrew Program Designees (APD).

Qualifications:

General Requirements for All Positions:

  1. Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years;
  2. Valid State driver's license;
  3. Fluency in the English language;
  4. No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and
  5. High school diploma or equivalent.

Medical Requirements: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, and must meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted) without strain;
  2. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted);
  3. Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft.

In addition, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of aircraft must:

  1. Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) regulations; and
  2. Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.

Applicants not requiring valid second-class medical certificates who are tentatively selected will be required to:

  1. Provide documentation from a board-certified physician certifying that they meet the minimal medical requirements; or
  2. Individuals who do not meet the minimum medical requirements but who are otherwise qualified will receive an individualized assessment to determine whether they can perform the essential functions of the position.

When the predominant work involves air carrier operations, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

  1. At least 1 year of pilot experience in multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight;
  2. Not more than 2 flying accidents during the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved;
  3. Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a simulator check to Airline Transport Pilot Standard;
  4. Minimum 100 flight hours during the last 3 years;
  5. Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating (Department of Navy positions require pilot experience as demonstrated by previous ATP level performance in large multi-engine airplanes and helicopters);
  6. Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate (For positions within the Department of Navy, applicants must also be physically qualified to ride as an observer aboard squadron aircraft. In addition, must also meet physical requirements to travel and lift heavy objects while performing mishap investigations); and
  7. Minimum 1,500 total flight hours.

To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of experience equivalent to FV-H, FG/GS-12 grade level as an Aviation Safety Inspector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of specialized experience include: inspection, surveillance, and monitoring of air carriers through all phases of operations, including training programs and records; provide guidance in the development of required operations manuals and record keeping systems; analyze reports to insure compliance with operations programs; conduct enforcement investigations and prepares final reports and recommendations on dispositions.

For more information regarding the minimum eligibility requirements for Aviation Safety Inspector's please visit the following website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs1800/1825.htm

To assist in determining qualification requirements, applicants transferring between specialties at the same grade level are strongly encouraged to complete the appropriate Qualifications Assessment Tool (QAT) check sheet and upload it along with their resume. Check sheets are contained in Order 3410.26, Flight Standards Service Air Carrier and General Aviation Qualifications Assessment Tool for AFS Aviation Safety Inspectors. This order is located at: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/3410.26.pdf .

NOTE: Recency of specialized experience and the need for a valid second-class FAA medical certificate is waived for employees in the 1825 series.

As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA); listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Education:Employment Type: OTHER

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