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Entry Level Flight Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Entry Level Flight Instructor information

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$25K

$94.6K

$145.5K

How much do entry level flight instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level flight instructor in the United States is $94,620.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,000.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level flight instructors?

As an entry level flight instructor, you may encounter challenges such as adapting your teaching style to fit different learning speeds and backgrounds, managing students' anxieties, and staying vigilant about safety in unpredictable weather conditions. You'll often be balancing administrative duties, like student record-keeping, with hands-on flight and ground instruction. However, the experience gained in overcoming these challenges builds your confidence, sharpens your instructional techniques, and sets a strong foundation for career advancement as a commercial or airline pilot.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Entry Level Flight Instructor position, and why are they important?

Entry Level Flight Instructors need a thorough understanding of aviation fundamentals, effective teaching skills, and must hold a valid Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate. Familiarity with flight simulators, avionics systems, and logbook software is typically required. Strong interpersonal communication, patience, and quick decision-making abilities help create a supportive and safe learning environment for student pilots. These skills are essential to ensure students receive high-quality instruction while maintaining rigorous safety standards.

What does an Entry Level Flight Instructor do?

An Entry Level Flight Instructor is responsible for teaching student pilots the fundamentals of flying, including flight maneuvers, navigation, and aviation regulations. They conduct both ground and flight training sessions to help students develop the skills necessary to obtain their pilot certifications. Instructors ensure safety protocols are followed and provide guidance on improving flight techniques. This role is typically the first step for aspiring professional pilots to gain experience and logged flight hours.

More about Entry Level Flight Instructor jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Flight Instructor jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Flight Instructor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Instructor jobs? The most popular types of Flight Instructor jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Flight Instructor jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Flight Instructor jobs include:
AIRCRAFT FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (UH-60)

AIRCRAFT FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (UH-60)

US Department of the Army

Eastover, SC • On-site

$106K/yr

Other

Posted 20 days ago


United States Army rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 481 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 46 rated military and defense


Job description

This is a National Guard Title 32 Excepted position for a AIRCRAFT FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (UH-60), Position Description Number PDD0610000, and is part of the SC AASF, South Carolina Army National Guard.

Qualifications:

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION OPEN TO THE FOLLOWING AREA OF CONSIDERATION (AOC):
Area of Consideration:
This position is open to Area 1 & 2 Only.
Area 1: Current employees of the South Carolina Army National Guard (Tenure 1 and 2)
Area 2: Current members of the South Carolina Army National Guard
Area 3: Any individual eligible for membership in the South Carolina Army National Guard
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: An applicant must have a competent understanding of the occupation's basic principles and concepts. Applicants should have a minimum of one year on-the-job experience in the grade (or a comparable military rank) immediately below the next higher level.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Is experience that prepares the applicant to perform the Dual Status technician duties and responsibilities. To qualify, an applicant's educational-degree study program, military professional and technical training schools or academies, and aviation certifications may apply as substitutions for some specialized experience factors.
OTHER QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
1. Prior to appointment, an applicant's military medical record must indicate a completed and current medical physical, flight physical, medical profile, and completed/cleared drug test.
2. Possess a valid state driver's license to operate government motor vehicles, for the state in which they live or are principally employed, in accordance with Army and Air Force Vehicle Operations Directives; and,
3. Qualify to operate government motor vehicles and vehicular equipment for "Maintenance Purposes Only" according to Army or Air Force Vehicle Maintenance Operations Directives.
Applicants must have the following:
1. Must have the appropriate security clearance: a. In regard to the aviator position's Series GS 2181 and the DoD criteria for the technician position's compatible military skill classification security clearance requirements. NOTE: Refer to the military services' specific classification directives for the military skills' required security clearance levels;
OR
b. Awarded a current Single Scope Background Investigation according to Army or Air Force Personnel Security Program Management Directives. Award of entry level to the technician position's compatible military skill, without a completed SSBI, is authorized provided an interim Top Secret security clearance was granted. NOTE: Refer to the military service specific directives for various authorized interim clearance levels.
2. No record of claustrophobia or claustrophobic tendencies.
3. To maintain the position - The incumbent must have a current Network License according to Army or Air Force Directives, Licensing Network Users and Certifying Network Professionals.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & NOTES:

1. Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position.
2. This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the
Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime
of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
3. Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers,
contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.
4. Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational
requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day.
5. The duties and responsibilities of your job may significantly impact the environment. You areresponsible to maintain awareness of your environmental responsibilities as dictated by legal andregulatory requirements, your organization, and its changing mission.

Education:EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
GS-10 through GS-13 Army National Guard Warrant Officer Positions Must have a high school diploma or general education development (GED) diploma. An undergraduate degree from an accredited college/university is optimum. Must have Federal Aviation Administration certifications awarded from accredited civilian aviation programs or must have aviation certifications from accredited military aviation schools.
GS-12 through GS-13 Army National Guard Officer Positions For Army National Guard Second and First Lieutenants must be actively pursuing an undergraduate degree with at least 90 validated credit hours in a specified program. For Captains and above, must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college/university. A Graduate Degree from an accredited civilian academic college or from an equivalent professional military education school is optimum. Must have Federal Aviation Administration certifications awarded from accredited civilian aviation programs OR must have aviation certifications from accredited military aviation schools.Employment Type: OTHER

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National security, health care and social assistance, national security and international affairs and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Arlington, VA, US

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