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Entry Level Pilot Jobs in Largo, FL (NOW HIRING)

This entry-level development role combines maritime operations, remote vehicle control, autonomous ... Complete the Marcurius USV Pilot training programme and achieve required internal operating ...

Entry Level Pilot information

See Largo, FL salary details

$42.3K

$111.9K

$171.8K

How much do entry level pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level pilot in Largo, FL is $111,913.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,500.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level pilot?

Entry level pilots are individuals who have recently earned their pilot licenses and are beginning their professional aviation careers. They typically hold a commercial pilot certificate and may work in roles such as flight instructors, regional airline first officers, or charter pilots. Entry level pilots are responsible for flying aircraft safely, following regulations, and gaining experience to qualify for more advanced positions. These pilots often use their initial jobs to build flight hours, develop skills, and advance to higher positions within the aviation industry.

What does an entry level pilot do?

An entry-level pilot has the same responsibilities as any other pilot, which are to ensure that an airplane takes off, travels, and lands safely. In this position, you may work as a copilot or flight engineer in addition to your duties as a pilot, depending on the need of the airline. These duties include checking that all flight instrumentation is working, performing safety and maintenance checks with other airplane technicians, and filing flight route plans. In the air, you ensure that the plane remains in communication with ground control.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level pilot?

To thrive as an Entry Level Pilot, you need a solid understanding of aerodynamics, navigation, and flight operations, typically backed by a commercial pilot’s license and completed flight training hours. Familiarity with aviation software, flight management systems (FMS), and aircraft-specific instrumentation is commonly required. Strong situational awareness, decisive communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure safe, efficient flight operations and effective responses to dynamic in-flight situations.

What are the typical training and mentorship opportunities available to entry level pilots starting their careers?

Entry level pilots generally undergo structured training programs that combine classroom instruction, simulator sessions, and supervised flight hours. New pilots often work closely with experienced captains and instructors who provide mentorship and guidance during the initial phases of their careers. Many airlines and flight schools also offer ongoing education and recurrent training to ensure pilots remain current with regulations and best practices. This supportive environment helps entry level pilots build confidence, refine their flying skills, and progress toward more advanced roles.

What is the difference between Entry Level Pilot vs Flight Instructor?

AspectEntry Level PilotFlight Instructor
Required CertificationsPrivate Pilot License (PPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL)Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), CPL
Work EnvironmentAirlines, charter services, cargo carriersFlight schools, training aircraft
Industry UsageEntry-level commercial flying rolesTraining new pilots, gaining flight hours

Entry Level Pilots typically hold PPL and CPL licenses, working in commercial flying roles. Flight Instructors also hold CFI certification and focus on training pilots, often as a stepping stone to higher flying positions. Both roles require similar licenses but differ in work environment and primary responsibilities.

How much do entry level pilots get paid?

Entry-level pilots typically earn between $30,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on the employer, location, and type of aircraft. Starting salaries are often lower, but can increase with experience, additional certifications, and flight hours accumulated.

What are the best entry-level pilot jobs?

Entry-level pilot jobs typically include positions such as flight instructor, banner tow pilot, or regional airline first officer. These roles often require a commercial pilot certificate, a minimum number of flight hours, and sometimes a type rating or specific aircraft experience. They provide foundational experience necessary for advancing to larger aircraft and more complex flying roles.

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Pilot jobs in Largo, FL?

For Entry Level Pilot jobs in Largo, FL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Pilot jobs in Largo, FL look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Pilot jobs in Largo, FL are:

What cities near Largo, FL are hiring for Entry Level Pilot jobs?

Cities near Largo, FL with the most Entry Level Pilot job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Pilot job openings in Largo, FL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,913 per year, or $53.8 per hour.

Trainee USV Pilot

Marcurius

Clearwater, FL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

About Marcurius Multi-Mission Solutions

Marcurius Multi-Mission Solutions is a fast-growing Defense technology company headquartered in Clearwater, Florida. Founded by US and UK veterans, Marcurius brings decades of frontline experience across Special Operations and Intelligence missions, with deep expertise in asymmetric warfare and the real-world employment of unmanned systems.

Marcurius is building a new kind of unmanned systems company- multi-domain, multi-platform, and mission-driven. We fuse battle-proven technologies, resilient command-and-control architectures, and operator-led doctrine to deliver capabilities that work in contested environments. Our initial focus is the rapid fielding of advanced Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) for modern maritime operations.

Role Overview

Marcurius is seeking a motivated individual to train as a USV Pilot, supporting the operation, testing and demonstration of unmanned surface vessels. This entry-level development role combines maritime operations, remote vehicle control, autonomous mission execution, safety, mission planning and basic operator-level maintenance. The successful candidate will initially work under close supervision and progressively qualify to support harbour trials, sea trials, customer demonstrations, training exercises and operational evaluations.

  • Complete the Marcurius USV Pilot training programme and achieve required internal operating qualifications.
  • Learn to operate USVs in remote-control, supervised-autonomy and autonomous modes, including mission planning, waypoint management, geofencing and command-and-control operation.
  • Support pre-launch checks, vessel preparation, launch, recovery and post-operation activities using approved procedures and checklists.
  • Monitor vessel position, speed, heading, propulsion, communications, sensors and system health while maintaining situational awareness and applying navigation and collision-avoidance principles.
  • Execute approved emergency and contingency procedures, including manual intervention, mission abort, loss-of-link response and recovery actions.
  • Assist with harbour and sea trials, demonstrations, exercises and payload or sensor operations, and report defects or abnormal system behaviour to engineering teams.
  • Record operating data, complete post-mission reports and contribute to debriefs, lessons learned, checklists and operating procedures.
  • Support routine cleaning, refuelling, charging, inspection and operator-level maintenance of vessels, trailers, command stations, tools and operational stores.
  • Follow all safety, security, export-control and information-protection requirements and represent Marcurius professionally with customers and partners.
  • Travel and work flexible hours when required by weather, tides, trials, demonstrations or operational activity.
Required Qualifications
  • High school diploma or equivalent and eligibility to work in the United States.
  • Strong interest in maritime operations, unmanned systems, robotics, aviation, engineering or defense technology.
  • Ability to learn technical systems, follow structured procedures and exercise sound judgment in changing or unexpected situations.
  • Good situational awareness, personal discipline, safety focus and clear verbal and written communication skills.
  • Comfort using computers, tablets and digital applications and working as part of a small operational and engineering team.
  • Valid driver's licence, reliable transportation, ability to swim and confidence working outdoors, around water and aboard small vessels.
  • Willingness to travel, work irregular hours and satisfy applicable U.S. defense, security and export-control requirements.
  • Previous experience operating USVs is not required. Full role-specific training will be provided.
Preferred Experience
  • Recreational, commercial or military boating experience, including small powerboats or personal watercraft.
  • Familiarity with marine navigation, GPS, charts, radar, AIS or electronic charting systems.
  • Experience with drones, remotely operated vehicles, robotics, radio-controlled systems or simulation environments.
  • Military, Coast Guard, maritime operations or other operational experience.
  • Mechanical, electrical, electronics, automotive or marine-maintenance experience.
  • Boating-safety, captain, first-aid, CPR, water-safety, radio-communications or related qualifications.
  • Experience completing technical logs, checklists or structured operational reports and ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance if required.
Training and Development

The training pathway may include maritime safety, small-boat handling, launch and recovery, USV platform familiarisation, remote and autonomous operation, mission planning, command-and-control systems, communications, navigation, emergency procedures, operator-level maintenance, trial reporting, operational security and customer demonstration skills. Progression will be based on demonstrated competence, professional conduct, safety performance and successful completion of practical and theoretical assessments.

Following qualification, the individual may progress into a USV Pilot, Senior USV Pilot, USV Instructor or Trials and Evaluation role, depending on performance and company requirements.

Why This Role Matters

Marcurius USVs must be operated safely, professionally and credibly in front of military customers, government stakeholders and operational end users. This role helps turn new technology into dependable, field-ready capability while providing operational feedback that influences vessel design, software, training doctrine and future procedures.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment
  • Ability to board and disembark small vessels, maintain balance aboard moving craft and work safely near open water.
  • Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, climb and lift or carry equipment up to 50 lbs.
  • Ability to assist with launching, recovering, securing and moving vessels and trailers and to work around engines, fuel, batteries, electrical systems and moving machinery.
  • Ability to work outdoors in heat, rain, wind and humidity and wear required personal protective equipment.
  • Primarily onsite in Clearwater, with regular activity at workshops, marinas, docks, boat ramps, waterways and coastal test areas.
  • Combination of classroom, simulator, workshop and practical maritime training in a fast-paced prototype-development environment.
  • Occasional evening, weekend, early-morning, domestic or international work and travel may be required.
Why Marcurius

Marcurius is a people-first, execution-focused organisation assembling a high-impact team of engineers, operators and mission specialists. This role offers an unusual opportunity to enter the unmanned-maritime sector, receive structured training, work directly with next-generation defense technology and help establish the standards by which future Marcurius USV pilots will be trained and assessed.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Marcurius Multi-Mission Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse, mission-driven team and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

We strongly encourage applications from veterans and individuals with experience or interest in maritime operations, unmanned systems, defense and advanced technology.