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Fire Pilot Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

Directly relevant experience as an Army Aviation flight test engineer, Experimental Test Pilot, or ... Directly relevant Live Fire testing experience on Army Aviation platforms. * Experience ...

Directly relevant experience as an Army Aviation flight test engineer, Experimental Test Pilot, or ... Directly relevant Live Fire testing experience on Army Aviation platforms. * Experience ...

This role works closely with flight test engineers, test pilots, instrumentation specialists, and ... aerial fire suppression systems. Bridger Aerospace has grown from operating a single plane to ...

This role works closely with flight test engineers, test pilots, instrumentation specialists, and ... aerial fire suppression systems. Bridger Aerospace has grown from operating a single plane to ...

This role works closely with flight test engineers, test pilots, instrumentation specialists, and ... aerial fire suppression systems. Bridger Aerospace has grown from operating a single plane to ...

Operator Trainee

Tuscaloosa, AL · On-site

$15.75 - $20.50/hr

Learns and/or knows locations of fire monitors, extinguishers, hose reels, fire hydrants, emergency ... Performs heater activities such as using snuffing steam to purging heaters, lighting gas pilots and ...

Operator Trainee

Tuscaloosa, AL · On-site

$15.75 - $20.50/hr

... fire hydrants, emergency showers, eye wash station, self-contained breathing apparatus and any ... pilots and burners, adjusting primary and secondary air registers, adjusting dampers for fuel ...

Operator Trainee

Tuscaloosa, AL

$15.75 - $20.50/hr

Learns and/or knows locations of fire monitors, extinguishers, hose reels, fire hydrants, emergency ... Performs heater activities such as using snuffing steam to purging heaters, lighting gas pilots and ...

Showing results 21-40

Fire Pilot information

See Alabama salary details

$44.9K

$118.7K

$182.2K

How much do fire pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire pilot in Alabama is $118,661.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,600.00 and $140,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a fire pilot?

Fire Pilots are specialized pilots trained to operate aircraft in support of firefighting operations. They fly planes or helicopters to drop water or fire retardants over wildfires, transport firefighters and equipment, and conduct aerial surveillance of fire zones. Their work is critical in controlling and suppressing large-scale wildfires, often requiring quick decision-making and flying in challenging and dangerous conditions. Fire Pilots typically work for government agencies, firefighting services, or private contractors.

What does a fire pilot do?

As a fire pilot or air tanker pilot, you respond to wildfires by providing water drops, fire retardant, and other fire suppression materials from your aircraft. In most cases, you spend the bulk of your day standing by and waiting to respond to an alert that indicates the probability of wildfire. Depending on probability, you may need to stay on-site or remain within a specified distance of the base. When the call comes, your responsibilities include completing the pre-flight checklist, loading the details in your GPS, and then completing the flight according to the directions received.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fire pilot, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fire Pilot, you need advanced piloting skills, a commercial pilot’s license, and specialized training in aerial firefighting operations. Familiarity with aircraft like air tankers or helicopters, navigation systems, and wildfire management protocols is essential. Strong decision-making, situational awareness, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are vital soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure safe, efficient support for firefighting teams while minimizing risk during high-stress, unpredictable wildfire missions.

What are some common challenges faced by fire pilots during wildfire suppression missions?

Fire Pilots often face rapidly changing weather conditions, limited visibility due to smoke, and challenging terrain when flying over wildfire zones. Coordinating closely with ground crews and other aircraft is essential to ensure safety and effective fire suppression. Additionally, Fire Pilots must remain vigilant for hazards such as sudden wind shifts, updrafts, and the risk of engine overheating during extended low-altitude flights. These challenges require strong situational awareness, excellent communication skills, and the ability to adapt quickly under pressure.

What is the difference between Fire Pilot vs Firefighter?

AspectFire PilotFirefighter
Required CertificationsCommercial Pilot License, Firefighting trainingFirefighter certification, EMT/paramedic license
Work EnvironmentAircraft, firefighting helicopters or planesFire stations, emergency scenes, buildings
Employer & Industry UsageFire departments, aerial firefighting companiesMunicipal fire departments, rescue services

Fire Pilots operate aircraft to combat wildfires from the air, requiring pilot licenses and specialized firefighting training. Firefighters work on the ground, handling rescue and suppression tasks, and need firefighting certifications. Both roles are vital in firefighting but differ significantly in work environment and required credentials.

How much do fire pilots get paid?

Fire pilots, also known as aerial firefighters, typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the employer. They often require specialized training and certifications, such as a commercial pilot license and firefighting qualifications, which can influence salary levels.

Is it hard to become a fire pilot?

Becoming a fire pilot requires extensive training, including obtaining a commercial pilot license, gaining experience in aviation, and often specialized wildfire or aerial firefighting certifications. The process is demanding and competitive, requiring strong flying skills, safety knowledge, and physical fitness.

What are popular job titles related to Fire Pilot jobs in Alabama?

For Fire Pilot jobs in Alabama, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Fire Pilot job openings in Alabama as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,661 per year, or $57 per hour.

Air Traffic Control Specialist

Robinson Aviation

Mobile, AL • On-site

$42.63/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Make decisions regarding aircraft departures, arrivals, and sequencing to ensure safe and efficient air traffic flow.

  • Monitor and coordinate communications, navigational aids, and traffic movements to maintain safe separation and traffic management.

  • Provide weather information, orient pilots in difficulty, and perform lower grade duties as necessary to support operational requirements.


Job description


Summary
 Responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic control duties in a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Air Traffic Control Tower.

Dimensions of Position
 Works under the general supervision of the Tower Manager who relies on the incumbent to perform established duties independently. On new or revised procedures, the manager gives detailed instructions and observes, and checks work during or immediately after completion according to complexity of the task or until satisfied the incumbent can perform it independently.

Accountability

1. Makes decisions involving:

  • The order of departures that will assure all aircraft equitable treatment and will assure that departing IFR flights operate at the fix, altitude, and the time designated by the center or approach control clearances.
  • The times and direction of takeoff and any turns necessary for departure.
  • Whether inbound aircraft are to land immediately or circle and whether distances are lengthened to control the arrival of an aircraft at a given point.
  • The active runway and possible simultaneous use of other runways.
  • The time and methods by which arrivals and departures can be interspersed with the least delay to traffic.
  • When landing and departing aircraft are cleared to use the runways to assure standard separation between aircraft on the runways.
  • The sequence of arriving traffic, before it enters the traffic pattern, to assure a safe, orderly flow of aircraft on final approach to the landing runway.
  • That IFR separation standards are applied, as delegated by approach control of the center, in limited areas around the airport to provide initial separation between

IFR arrivals and IFR departures and between successive IFR departures.

  • The sequence of VFR and IFR traffic, using radar equipment as an aid and, when delegated, separating IFR traffic.
  • When VFR flights through the airport traffic area can be authorized.

2. Determines the usability of communications frequencies available to him/her as other navigational aids used to control air traffic. Monitors navigational aids and monitors control panels, including BRITE display to determine acceptability of its alignment and display presentation. Instructs pilots to change radio frequencies/radar beacon codes.

3. When appropriate, coordinates with the other controllers on movements of both arrival and departure aircraft.

4. When traffic conditions warrant, controllers in non-approach terminals are responsible for:

  • Preplanning traffic sequencing and separation over an area which may reach out to a radius of 5 miles or more.
  • Preplanning and setting up check points required to ensure the maintenance of necessary traffic separation.
  • Maintaining a continuous mental picture and evaluation of a constantly changing traffic complex frequency dispersed over an equivalent geographic area.
  • Maintaining continuous radio watch with aircraft which have previously contacted the facility.
  • Accepting responsibility to handle IFR traffic at his/her airport.

5. Studies weather bureau reports and forecasts, obtains LAWRS/SAWRS weather certification, observes weather from the tower and records pilot reports to determine the effect of present and anticipated weather on traffic; furnishes aircraft with information such as field conditions, altimeter settings, weather conditions, operating status of navigational aids, and observed malfunctioning of aircraft, forwards to the weather bureau and the appropriate center, pilot weather reports and reports based upon personal observation of weather conditions; operates light guns, runway lights, field lighting, jet barriers etc.

6. Orients pilots of aircraft lost or in difficulty; determines whether a given situation may operations offices, airport management offices, and fire and ambulance services.

7. Performs lower grade level duties as necessary to meet operational requirements and for proficiency maintenance.

8. Provides OJT training to others.

Requirements

Individual must have a CTO Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate. Position is subject to drug and/or alcohol testing per the DOT/FAA requirements (pre-employment, random, reasonable cause/suspicion, post-accident). Individual must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating or have held an FAA Credential with a tower rating, for a minimum of six months in an Air Traffic Control Tower.

Pay: $42.63 Per hour 

HW Rate: $4.98