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Firefighting Pilot Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Firefighting Pilot information

See Tennessee salary details

$44.9K

$118.8K

$182.4K

How much do firefighting pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for firefighting pilot in Tennessee is $118,822.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,800.00 and $140,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Firefighting Pilot job?

A Firefighting Pilot operates specialized aircraft to combat wildfires by dropping water or fire retardant on flames and creating containment lines. They work closely with ground crews and emergency responders to suppress fires and protect lives, property, and natural resources. These pilots fly in challenging conditions, including low visibility, turbulent air, and high heat. Extensive flight training, aerial firefighting certification, and experience in low-altitude operations are typically required.

What are typical challenges faced by Firefighting Pilots during wildfire season?

Firefighting Pilots often contend with rapidly changing weather conditions, unpredictable fire behavior, and limited visibility due to smoke, which can make every flight uniquely challenging. Missions require precise maneuvers at low altitudes, as well as close coordination with ground crews and other aircraft to maximize effectiveness and ensure safety. The job also involves extended hours during peak wildfire season, with possible deployments to remote or rugged locations. Adaptability, teamwork, and a strong commitment to safety are essential for navigating these challenges and successfully supporting firefighting operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Firefighting Pilot position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Firefighting Pilot, you need advanced piloting skills, extensive hours of flight experience (especially in challenging weather and low-visibility conditions), and a valid commercial pilot’s license with the required ratings. Familiarity with specialized firefighting aircraft, GPS navigation, and communication systems is essential, as is certification in aerial firefighting operations. Critical thinking, calmness under pressure, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for making quick decisions in dynamic and hazardous environments. These skills and qualifications ensure mission safety, successful coordination with ground crews, and the effective containment of wildfires.

What are popular job titles related to Firefighting Pilot jobs in Tennessee? For Firefighting Pilot jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Firefighting Pilot jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Firefighting Pilot jobs in Tennessee are:
Infographic showing various Firefighting Pilot job openings in Tennessee as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,822 per year, or $57.1 per hour.

Air Traffic Controller - John Tune Tower - Nashville, TN.

CI Squared Aviation, Inc.

Nashville, TN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

SUMMARY:

Responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic control duties in a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Airport 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 the complexity of the task until satisfied the incumbent can perform it independently.


REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must have a minimum of (2) years of experience as an Air Traffic Controller.
  • Individuals must have a current or previous Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate.
  • Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower.
  • The position is subject to drug and/or alcohol testing per the DOT/FAA requirements (pre-employment, random, reasonable cause/suspicion, post-accident).


ACCOUNTABILITY:

Making decisions involving:


  1. The order of departures will ensure all aircraft equitable treatment and will ensure that departing Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flights operate at the fixed altitude, andthe time designated by the center or approach control clearances.
  2. The times and direction of takeoff and any turn necessary after departure.
  3. Whether inbound aircraft is to land immediately or circle and whether distances are lengthened to control the arrival of an aircraft at a given point.
  4. The active runway and possible simultaneous use of other runways.
  5. The time and methods by which arrivals and departures can be interspersed with the least delay to traffic.
  6. When landing and departing aircraft are cleared to use the runways to assure standard separation between aircraft on the runways.
  7. The sequence of arriving traffic, before it enters the traffic pattern, to assure a safe, orderly flow of aircraft on the final approach to the landing runway.
  8. Endure that Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) separation standards are applied, as delegated by approach control or the center, in limited areas around the airport to provide initial separation between IFR arrivals and IFR departures and between successive IFR departures.
  9. The sequence of Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) traffic, and when delegated, using radar equipment to provide initial separation for arrival verse arrival and arrival verse departure IFR traffic.
  10. When Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flights through the Class D airspace can be authorized.

Determines the usability of communications frequencies and other navigational aids used to control air traffic. Monitors navigational aids and control panels, including tower radar display to determine the acceptability of its alignment and display presentation. Instructs pilots to change radio frequencies/transponder codes.


  1. When appropriate, coordinate with other controllers on the movement of both arrival and departure aircraft.
  2. When traffic conditions warrant, controllers in non-approach terminals are responsible for:
  3. Preplanning traffic sequencing and separation over an area, which may reach out to a radius of 5 miles or more.
  4. Preplanning and setting up checkpoints required to ensure the maintenance of necessary traffic separation.
  5. Maintaining a continuous mental picture and evaluation of constantly changing traffic, frequency dispersed throughout his/her area of jurisdictional responsibility.
  6. Maintaining continuous radio watch with aircraft that have previously contacted the facility.


MANAGING Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) TRAFFIC FOR AIRPORT:

  1. Studies weather reports and forecasts, obtain 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, AFSS, and the appropriate center/approach control, pilot weather reports and reports based upon personal observation of weather conditions; operate light guns, runway lights, field lighting, jet barriers, etc.
  2. Orients pilots of aircraft lost or in difficulty; determines whether a given situation may develop into an emergency; and notifies airlines operations offices, airport management offices, and airport rescue and firefighting services.
  3. Performs lower grade level duties as necessary to meet operational requirements and for proficiency maintenance.
  4. Provides On-the-job (OJT) training to others.