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Entry Level Air Attack Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

KBR, Inc.

AH-64E Instructor Pilot

Killeen, TX · On-site

S. Army programs, specializing in aviation and ground systems, integrated air and missile defense ... Our foreign military aviation training activity builds lethal attack helicopter units through ...

KBR

AH-64E Instructor Pilot

Killeen, TX

S. Army programs, specializing in aviation and ground systems, integrated air and missile defense ... Our foreign military aviation training activity builds lethal attack helicopter units through ...

Army National Guard Units

$131K - $171K/yr

... air; air-to- ground; mortar-to-arm escort; surveillance; reconnaissance; surface attack; killer ... Experienced in piloting manned or unmanned aircraft. Experiences may include the traditional "stick ...

RAVN Aerospace

Pilot (PT) - El Paso

El Paso, TX

... Air Defense Anti-Aircraft Warfare) and Close Combat Attack Sorties (CCAS). This role will involve ... Pilot in Command, Instructor Pilot, or Stan/Eval Flight Examiner. * FAA Class II medical rating.

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Entry Level Air Attack Pilot information

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$49.5K

$130.9K

$201K

How much do entry level air attack pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level air attack 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 the difference between Entry Level Air Attack Pilot vs Entry Level Firefighter Pilot?

AspectEntry Level Air Attack PilotEntry Level Firefighter Pilot
Required CertificationsCommercial Pilot License, specific aircraft certificationsCommercial Pilot License, firefighting aircraft certifications
Work EnvironmentWildfire suppression, aerial firefighting missionsFirefighting aircraft operations, emergency response
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, firefighting servicesFire departments, emergency management agencies

Both roles involve piloting aircraft in emergency situations, requiring similar pilot certifications. The main difference lies in their focus: Entry Level Air Attack Pilots primarily support wildfire suppression, while Entry Level Firefighter Pilots are dedicated to firefighting operations. Both positions are vital in emergency response and share comparable work environments and industry usage.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Air Attack Pilot, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Air Attack Pilot, you typically need a commercial pilot license, strong aviation fundamentals, and familiarity with aerial firefighting procedures. Proficiency in using GPS navigation systems, communication radios, and aircraft-specific firefighting equipment is essential. Critical thinking, situational awareness, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are standout soft skills for this high-stakes role. These competencies are vital for ensuring safe, effective coordination during wildfire suppression missions and protecting both crew and ground personnel.

What is an Entry Level Air Attack Pilot?

An Entry Level Air Attack Pilot is a pilot who operates aircraft specifically for coordinating and supporting aerial firefighting operations. They typically fly smaller, maneuverable planes to provide incident command, direct water or retardant drops, and communicate with ground crews during wildland fire suppression. While entry level, these pilots receive specialized training in fire behavior, aviation safety, and tactical coordination. The role is crucial for ensuring effective and safe firefighting efforts from the air. Candidates often start with a commercial pilot license and build experience before advancing to more complex missions.

What are common challenges faced by entry level air attack pilots during their first fire season?

Entry level air attack pilots often face challenges such as rapidly adapting to dynamic and hazardous wildfire environments, mastering complex communication protocols with ground crews and incident commanders, and managing high levels of stress and fatigue during peak fire activity. Additionally, new pilots must quickly build situational awareness and decision-making skills while flying in low-visibility, turbulent conditions. Supportive mentoring from experienced pilots and thorough pre-season training can help ease this transition and improve performance on the job.
More about Entry Level Air Attack Pilot jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Air Attack Pilot jobs? The most popular types of Air Attack Pilot jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Air Attack Pilot jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Air Attack Pilot jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Air Attack Pilot jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Air Attack Pilot jobs are:
Entry Level Air Attack Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Air Attack Pilot job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 54% Full Time, 44% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,916 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Large Airtanker Pilot - C-130 IA Captain

Coulson Aviation

Portland, OR • On-site

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Large Airtanker Pilot – C-130 Initial Attack

Coulson Aviation

When wildfires ignite, you’re among the first in the air.

Coulson Aviation is seeking exceptional C-130 Initial Attack Airtanker Captains to join our world-class aerial firefighting team. If you bring prior C-130 PIC experience or are USFS Initial Attack (IA) carded as an Airtanker Captain, this is your opportunity to fly one of the most powerful and capable aerial firefighting platforms in service today.

This is a mission-critical role supporting rapid initial attack wildfire suppression, complex fire environments, and large-scale coordinated aerial operations. If you thrive in high-tempo operations, precision low-level flying, and dynamic multi-aircraft environments, this is where your experience truly matters.

Why This Role Matters

Initial attack saves forests, communities, and lives.
As a C-130 Initial Attack Pilot, your decisions and execution in the first hours of a fire can change the outcome entirely. You’ll be entrusted with one of the most capable firefighting aircraft in the world, operating at the sharp end of wildfire response. Supporting ground firefighters is our passion, and we need you to help us help them—so together, we can protect our communities and our state and national forest lands, not only here at home, but internationally as well

The Mission

Conduct time-critical wildfire response missions delivering retardant with our specialized water/retardant dropping tanking systems in the most challenging terrain and congested airspace environments you’ll see as a professional aviator. You’ll work shoulder-to-shoulder with Air Attack, ground resources, and agency partners to slow fire growth when it matters most.

Key Responsibilities

  • Execute initial attack aerial firefighting missions in the C-130 Airtanker with precision, discipline, and professionalism
  • Operate at low level in mountainous and high-threat environments in accordance with approved SOPs and tactics
  • Coordinate closely with Air Attack to manage complex, congested fire traffic areas
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate operational hazards while actively supporting the Safety Management System (SMS)
  • Maintain aircraft and crew readiness for rapid deployment during peak fire activity
  • Complete flight logs, mission records, and required operational documentation
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of wildfire tactics, SOPs, and operational procedures

Qualifications

Required

  • FAA ATP, or FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating appropriate to C-130 operations
  • 2,000+ hours total flight time
  • 1,000+ hours of multi-engine experience
  • 500 hours of IFR experience

Preferred

  • 4,000+ hours total flight time
  • Previous C-130, LAT, or VLAT experience
  • Initial Attack aerial firefighting experience
  • Low-level tactical flying in complex or mountainous terrain
  • Multi-crew, crew-resource-management–intensive cockpit experience

What Sets You Apart

  • Exceptional CRM, threat and error management, and sound aeronautical decision-making
  • Calm, decisive communicator under pressure
  • High situational awareness in rapidly evolving fire environments
  • Safety-driven, mission-focused, and ready for on-call deployment during peak fire seasons

Ready to be first over the fire?

Apply now and join the front line of aerial wildfire suppression with Coulson Aviation.