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Fighter Jet Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Department of the Air Force

For position requiring the piloting of fighter jet aircraft (e.g., F-16, A-10, F-15, F-22), each hours as First Pilot and/or Instructor Pilot in a fighter jet aircraft may be counted as two hours of ...

Solcoa Industries

Mechanical Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

$120K - $250K/yr

Making the Metals Powering the World Solcoa exists to stabilize the western rare-earth metal supply chain-powering every fighter jet, EV, wind turbine, phone, and generator. We're among the very few ...

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Fighter Jet information

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$28.5K

$59.6K

$100K

How much do fighter jet jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for fighter jet in the United States is $59,606.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,500.00 and $69,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is 22 too old to become a fighter pilot?

Fighter pilots typically need to meet specific age requirements, often around 26 or younger for initial training, depending on the country's military. Being 22 is generally within the acceptable age range to start training, provided other qualifications such as vision, physical fitness, and education are met. Age limits vary by air force, so checking the specific branch's criteria is recommended.

What is the difference between Fighter Jet vs Pilot?

AspectFighter JetPilot
Required CredentialsMilitary pilot training, aviation licenses, specialized fighter jet trainingCommercial or private pilot licenses, flight training, aviation certifications
Work EnvironmentMilitary airbases, combat zones, training facilitiesAirlines, private companies, charter services, airports
Industry UsageMilitary defense, combat missions, air superiorityPassenger transport, cargo, private flying

While both Fighter Jets and pilots involve aviation skills, Fighter Jets refer to military aircraft operated by trained military pilots for defense and combat, whereas pilots can also include commercial or private pilots flying non-military aircraft. The key differences lie in training, work environment, and industry focus.

What jobs make $10,000 a month without a degree?

Fighter jet pilots in the military or private sector can earn $10,000 or more monthly, especially with experience and specialized skills. Other high-paying roles without a degree include commercial airline pilots, sales managers, and certain skilled trades like elevator installers or power plant operators, which often require certifications and extensive training but not necessarily a college degree.

What jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?

In the US, high-paying jobs such as senior corporate executives, specialized surgeons, and successful entrepreneurs can earn $500,000 or more annually. Fighter jet pilots in the military or private sector may also reach this level with experience and additional responsibilities, often requiring advanced training, certifications, and leadership roles.

What are fighter jets?

Fighter jets are fast, highly maneuverable military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat against other aircraft. They are equipped with advanced avionics, powerful engines, and a variety of weapons systems, allowing them to engage enemy targets in the air and sometimes on the ground. Fighter jets play a crucial role in maintaining air superiority during military operations and can also perform reconnaissance and ground attack missions. Modern fighter jets are often equipped with stealth technology, making them less detectable by radar.

How much do you get paid to fly a fighter jet?

Fighter jet pilots in the military typically earn between $60,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on rank, experience, and service branch. Military pilots also receive benefits such as housing allowances, healthcare, and retirement plans. Civilian test pilots or commercial jet pilots generally earn higher salaries, often exceeding $100,000 per year, with experience and certifications influencing pay levels.

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

To thrive as a Fighter Jet Pilot, you need advanced aeronautical knowledge, superior physical fitness, and completion of rigorous military flight training programs. Proficiency with avionics systems, navigation technology, and weapons control systems is typically required, often supported by military certifications such as completion of Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT). Strong decision-making, situational awareness, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are essential for ensuring mission success, personal safety, and effective team operations in high-stakes environments.

What are some common challenges faced by fighter jet pilots during training and in active duty?

Fighter jet pilots often face intense physical and mental challenges, including mastering complex aircraft systems, maintaining situational awareness at high speeds, and enduring high G-forces during maneuvers. Training is rigorous and ongoing, requiring quick decision-making and the ability to perform under pressure. Additionally, pilots must work closely with ground crews, air traffic controllers, and mission planners to ensure safety and mission success. Balancing these demands with personal resilience and teamwork is key to thriving in this high-stakes role.
More about Fighter Jet jobs
What states have the most Fighter Jet jobs? States with the most job openings for Fighter Jet jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Fighter Jet jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Fighter Jet jobs are:
Fighter Jet jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fighter Jet job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 55% Full Time, 31% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 9% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,606 per year, or $28.7 per hour.
Senior Mission Software Engineer, Vehicle Software, GenSWE

Senior Mission Software Engineer, Vehicle Software, GenSWE

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

$131K - $173K/yr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

Anduril rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM

Air Dominance & Strike (AD&S) is responsible for autonomous robotics systems like the Fury unmanned fighter jet and the Barracuda family of advanced effects. The AD&S Vehicle Software team is responsible for the software running on these systems. Our senior software engineers collaborate with other engineering disciplines to develop software for vehicle control, networking, sensor integration, and telemetry. We are looking for engineers excited to build the foundational vehicle software stack that supports the wide range of AD&S initiatives, from early concept simulation to first flight to live operations to large scale fleet management.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance
  • Strong engineering background from industry or school, ideally in areas/fields such as Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics
  • 5+ years working with a variety of programming languages such as Python, C++, Rust, Go, JavaScript, etc.
  • Experience building software solutions involving significant amounts of data processing and analysis
  • Ability to quickly understand and navigate complex systems and established code bases
  • A desire to work on critical software that has a real-world impact
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Strong background with focus in Physics, Mathematics, and/or Motion Planning to inform modeling & simulation (M&S) and physical systems
  • Developing and testing multi-agent autonomous systems and deploying in real-world environments
  • Feature and algorithm development with an understanding of behavior trees
  • Developing software/hardware for flight systems and safety critical functionality
  • Distributed communication networks and message standards
  • Knowledge of military systems and operational tactics
Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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