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Fire Pilot Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Aviation Instructor - Adjunct

Auburn, WA · On-site

$101.95 - $113.93/hr

The successful candidate may teach a variety of aviation classes including fixed-wing pilot ground ... Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report- Green River College's Annual ...

SHIPFITTER JOURNEYMAN NBB

Freeland, WA · On-site

$33.90 - $38/hr

We are in Freeland, WA where we produce state-of-the-art vessels, tugs, ferries, fire boats ... pilot house, and engine rooms. What You will Do * Fabricate, form, and fit metal structures to ...

We are in Freeland, WA where we produce state-of-the-art vessels, tugs, ferries, fire boats ... pilot house, and engine rooms. What You will Do * Fabricate, form, and fit metal structures to ...

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Fire Pilot information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$56.3K

$149K

$228.7K

How much do fire pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire pilot in Seattle, WA is $148,986.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $113,800.00 and $176,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

What are popular job titles related to Fire Pilot jobs in Seattle, WA? For Fire Pilot jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Fire Pilot jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Fire Pilot jobs in Seattle, WA are:
What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Fire Pilot jobs? Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Fire Pilot job openings:
Infographic showing various Fire Pilot job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $148,986 per year, or $71.6 per hour.

Aviation Instructor - Adjunct

Green River College

Auburn, WA • On-site

$101.95 - $113.93/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Green River College rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

55th of 617 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Position Summary ABOUT THE COLLEGE: Green River College's student body is made up of approximately 41% Academic Transfer students, 34% Professional-Technical, 15% Adult Basic Education, 3% Applied Bachelor degrees. Green River College has four campuses, including the main campus in Auburn, with satellite campuses in Kent, downtown Auburn, and Enumclaw. Green River programs serve high school graduates, Running Start students (dual enrollment in local high schools and the college), those seeking retraining for the workforce, international students, students learning English, and Continuing Education students.

Green River's service areas are increasingly ethnically diverse, comprising African Americans, African immigrants, Asian Americans, Asians, Latinx, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Middle Eastern Americans, among other communities. COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION: Green River College is committed to enhancing and supporting a diverse campus environment, incorporating principles of equity in order to promote inclusive practices. Diversity is understood in terms of intersectional identities defined by culture, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, social class, disability, religion, veteran status, immigration status, and age.

Given the diversity of our student population and service areas, we encourage applications from faculty, staff, and administrators with demonstrated experience and expertise in supporting, sustaining and serving people from a wide range of backgrounds and collaborating effectively with others. PURPOSE OF POSITION: The Technology Division is accepting applications to be considered for adjunct instruction. Adjunct instructors are appointed quarter to quarter based on student enrollment.

For specifics, applicants should contact the division for more information. Green River College welcomes individuals who have a commitment to teach and the ability to utilize a variety of methods and modes of instruction to ensure student success. Given the diversity of our student population, we encourage applications from individuals who can adapt instructional methods to a wide range of student backgrounds and interests.

The successful candidate may teach a variety of aviation classes including fixed-wing pilot ground schools, aviation weather, airline operations, aviation law, aircraft dispatcher, airport management, international flight planning and ETOPS. Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Three-years professional (paid) experience in the aviation industry in one or more of the following areas; commercial pilot, flight instructor, airline dispatcher, airline or general aviation maintenance, and /or air traffic control Knowledge of Code Federal Regulations: o Part 61- Pilot and Flight Instructor Certification procedures o Part 65 - Aircraft Dispatcher Certification requirements o Part 91 - General Operating Rules o Part 121 - Large Airline Operations Demonstrated experience working with staff and students from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: One year of successful experience in aviation instruction Bachelor's degree in Aviation Teaching experience in the field of aviation Possess either a Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Certificate (CFII) or a Basic or Advanced Instrument Ground Instructor Certificate (BGI, AGI, IGI) Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or 1500 hours flight experience Supplemental Information Attach the following with your completed online application and responses to the Supplemental Questions (located under the tab titled "Supplemental Questions") to be considered for this position.

A Cover Letter which specifically describes how you meet each qualification Resume Supplemental question(s) (*) Should you have any difficulties uploading the below documents, please contact NeoGov tech support at 1-855-524-5627 Mon-Fri 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. pacific time

At this time, Green River College is not sponsoring for H1-B Visas. This position is part of a bargaining unit subject to a collective bargaining agreement. All offers of employment are subject to background checks.

(Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.) Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law RCW 28B.112.080

Green River College is a tobacco free campus. For more information on the tobacco policy, please visit the following link: https://www.greenriver.edu/campus/policies-and-procedures/general-administrative-policies/ga-2-tobacco-use-policy/ Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report- Green River College's Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at www.greenriver.edu/CleryASFR, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information for the past three calendar years. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 253-288-3350

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director of Human Resources, 12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn, WA 98092-3622, (253) 288-3320. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Support Services at (253) 833-9111, ext. 2631; TTY (253) 288-3359.

Equal Opportunity Employer and Statement of Non-Discrimination: Green River College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, perceived or actual sensory, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal. Green River College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sex-based harassment, and sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to Green River College's Title IX Coordinator, the U.S

Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, or both. Reporting: Any employee, student, applicant, or visitor who believes that he, she or they have been the subject of discrimination or harassment should report the incident or incidents to the College's appropriate Title IX Coordinator identified below. If the complaint is against that Coordinator, the complainant should report the matter to the President's office for referral to an alternate designee.

For students/employees/public/visitors/applicants: Korland Simmons, Title IX Coordinator Equity, Diversity, Inclusion


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