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First Officer Pilot Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SkyWest Airlines

First Officer Pilot

Fresno, CA

Be at least 21 years of age Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Multi-Engine and Instrument Ratings English Proficiency Endorsement (EPE) on Airman Certificate Hold a current FAA First Class ...

SkyWest Airlines

First Officer Pilot

San Diego, CA

Be at least 21 years of age Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Multi-Engine and Instrument Ratings English Proficiency Endorsement (EPE) on Airman Certificate Hold a current FAA First Class ...

Aero

Gulfstream G-IV First Officer, VNY

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$110K/yr

... IV First Officer (SIC) to join our team! Safety, professionalism, and passion are three of the ... Our pilots are not only leaders on the aircraft they fly but also leaders in our operation, serving ...

PHI Aviation

It is the responsibility of each pilot to comply with FAA Regulations, the Operations Manual, and ... Occurrence Reports, First Reports of Injury, Daily Flight Sheets and Manifests must be submitted ...

Aero

Gulfstream G-IV First Officer, VNY

Los Angeles, CA

$110K/yr

... IV First Officer (SIC) to join our team! Safety, professionalism, and passion are three of the ... Our pilots are not only leaders on the aircraft they fly but also leaders in our operation, serving ...

Aero

Gulfstream G-IV First Officer, VNY

Van Nuys, CA · On-site

$110K/yr

... IV First Officer (SIC) to join our team! Safety, professionalism, and passion are three of the ... Our pilots are not only leaders on the aircraft they fly but also leaders in our operation, serving ...

Socket.dev

Chief Technology Officer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$260 - $520/hr

... pilot deployments into a scalable, production-ready platform capable of large-scale commercial ... RESPONSIBILITIES Within the first 90 days you will jump into spearheading engineering that is ...

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First Officer Pilot information

See California salary details

$20.6K

$67K

$160.6K

How much do first officer pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for first officer pilot in California is $66,968.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39,169.00 and $83,724.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are First Officer Pilots?

First Officer Pilots, also known as co-pilots, are licensed aviators who assist the Captain in operating an aircraft. They share responsibilities such as flying the plane, communicating with air traffic control, and performing safety checks before, during, and after flights. While the Captain has overall command, the First Officer is fully qualified to take control if needed and often alternates flying duties with the Captain. This role is critical for ensuring the safety and efficiency of commercial flights.

Which pilots make $500,000 a year?

First Officer pilots at major airlines with extensive experience, seniority, and flying large aircraft such as wide-body jets can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with overtime, bonuses, and additional pay. These high salaries are typically achieved after many years of service and holding advanced certifications like an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license.

What is the difference between First Officer Pilot vs Captain Pilot?

AspectFirst Officer PilotCaptain Pilot
CertificationsCommercial Pilot License (CPL), Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) often requiredSame as First Officer, but with additional experience and hours
Work EnvironmentFlight crew member assisting the captain, flying under supervisionLead pilot responsible for flight operations and decision-making
Roles & ResponsibilitiesAssist the captain, handle navigation, communication, and safety proceduresOversee the flight, make critical decisions, manage crew and safety

The main difference between a First Officer Pilot and a Captain Pilot lies in their roles and responsibilities. The First Officer assists the captain and operates under supervision, while the Captain leads the flight, makes final decisions, and manages the crew. Both roles require similar certifications, but the Captain typically has more experience and authority.

What are some common challenges First Officer Pilots face during their initial years on the job?

First Officer Pilots often encounter challenges such as adapting to irregular work schedules, managing fatigue from long or overnight flights, and quickly learning to operate various aircraft types. Additionally, they must develop strong communication and coordination skills to work effectively with captains and cabin crew, often under time pressure. Building confidence in decision-making and handling unexpected situations, such as adverse weather or technical issues, is also a key part of the learning curve in this role.

Is there still a pilot shortage in 2026?

The airline industry continues to experience a pilot shortage due to increased travel demand and retirements, impacting First Officer pilots and requiring ongoing recruitment and training. This shortage emphasizes the importance of obtaining proper certifications, such as an Airline Transport Pilot license, and gaining experience to meet airline staffing needs.

What is the first officer pilot's salary?

The salary of a first officer pilot typically ranges from $50,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on experience, airline, and region. Entry-level first officers usually earn lower salaries, while those with more flight hours and seniority can earn higher wages, often supplemented with benefits and per diem allowances.

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

To thrive as a First Officer Pilot, you need a commercial pilot license (CPL), strong aeronautical knowledge, and extensive flight training with logged flight hours. Proficiency with modern avionics, flight management systems (FMS), and aircraft-specific certifications like a type rating are typically required. Excellent situational awareness, teamwork, communication, and decision-making skills help a First Officer operate safely within a cockpit crew. These competencies are vital for ensuring passenger safety, regulatory compliance, and effective collaboration during routine and emergency situations.

Are first officer pilot jobs in demand?

First officer pilot jobs are generally in demand due to the growth of the airline industry and the need for qualified pilots. Airlines often seek candidates with commercial pilot certifications, flight hours, and strong safety records, especially as experienced pilots retire. Job availability can vary based on economic conditions and regional airline growth.

What Does a First Officer Pilot Do?

On commercial flights, the first officer pilot is the second pilot on the plane. Your responsibilities in this career are to assist the captain to fly the plane. As the co-pilot, if the captain is incapacitated, you take command of the plane. On many flights, the first officer and the captain share the duties of piloting the plane, taking turns while the other one monitors controls and provides backup as needed. In commercial airline command structure, there is also a designation for the senior first officer, which is typically someone who qualifies as a captain, but the airline does not have enough flights to make that person a captain.

More about First Officer Pilot jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of First Officer Pilot jobs in California? The most popular types of First Officer Pilot jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to First Officer Pilot jobs in California? For First Officer Pilot jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching First Officer Pilot jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for First Officer Pilot jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for First Officer Pilot jobs? Cities in California with the most First Officer Pilot job openings:
First Officer Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various First Officer Pilot job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,968 per year, or $32.2 per hour.

First Officer Pilot

SkyWest Airlines

Los Angeles, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

SkyWest Airlines rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 80 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 26 rated airlines

Job description


Primary Job Duties

To be considered for a pilot position, you must: 

Be at least 21 years of age 
Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Multi-Engine and Instrument Ratings
English Proficiency Endorsement (EPE) on Airman Certificate
Hold a current FAA First Class Medical Certificate
Be a U.S. citizen or able to show proof of right to work in the U.S. 
Hold FCC Radiotelephone Operator's Permit.
Have a current Passport --or other travel documents enabling the bearer to freely exit and re-enter the U.S. (multiple reentry status) and be legally eligible to work in the U.S. (possess proper working documents).
Must be available to work on any day, seven days a week, including nights, weekends and holidays.
Be within three months of the minimum hour requirements detailed below

ATP Written Requirement: 

SkyWest will provide the means to complete a SkyWest-approved CTP course for those who complete an application and successfully pass the pilot interview. 
 

Pilot applicants must meet the experience requirements of FAR 61.159 prior to employment.  

SkyWest Minimum Requirements When Counting Helicopter or Glider Time
SkyWest Airlines recognizes the skills common to helicopter and glider flying. SkyWest will accept helo/glider time as part of an applicant's total time as long as they have a minimum of 250 PIC hours of fixed wing.

Domiciles

Arizona:  Phoenix, Tucson

California:  Fresno, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego, San Francisco

Colorado: Colorado Springs, Denver
Georgia: Atlanta

Idaho: Boise

Illinois: Chicago

Minnesota: Minneapolis/St. Paul

Michigan: Detroit

Oregon: Portland

Texas: Austin, Dallas, Houston

Utah: Salt Lake City

Washington: Seattle

Wisconsin: Milwaukee


Minimum Requirements
  • Assist the Pilot- in- Command (PIC) in conducting the flight safely and efficiently
  • Assist the PIC and/or passenger service personnel as needed to ensure a prompt departure
  • Assist or relieve the PIC in manipulation of the flight controls of an aircraft while underway, including taxiing, takeoff and landing of such aircraft

Physical and Other Requirements
  • Must have a First Class Medical
  • Must be willing to fly assigned schedule based on pilot bidding seniority; including days, nights, weekends, and holidays
  • To apply, please complete the on-line application (qualified applicants will be contacted)
Qualifications:

To be considered for a pilot position, you must: 

Be at least 21 years of age 
Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Multi-Engine and Instrument Ratings
English Proficiency Endorsement (EPE) on Airman Certificate
Hold a current FAA First Class Medical Certificate
Be a U.S. citizen or able to show proof of right to work in the U.S. 
Hold FCC Radiotelephone Operator's Permit.
Have a current Passport --or other travel documents enabling the bearer to freely exit and re-enter the U.S. (multiple reentry status) and be legally eligible to work in the U.S. (possess proper working documents).
Must be available to work on any day, seven days a week, including nights, weekends and holidays.
Be within three months of the minimum hour requirements detailed below

ATP Written Requirement: 

SkyWest will provide the means to complete a SkyWest-approved CTP course for those who complete an application and successfully pass the pilot interview. 
 

Pilot applicants must meet the experience requirements of FAR 61.159 prior to employment.  

SkyWest Minimum Requirements When Counting Helicopter or Glider Time
SkyWest Airlines recognizes the skills common to helicopter and glider flying. SkyWest will accept helo/glider time as part of an applicant's total time as long as they have a minimum of 250 PIC hours of fixed wing.

Domiciles

Arizona:  Phoenix, Tucson

California:  Fresno, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego, San Francisco

Colorado: Colorado Springs, Denver
Georgia: Atlanta

Idaho: Boise

Illinois: Chicago

Minnesota: Minneapolis/St. Paul

Michigan: Detroit

Oregon: Portland

Texas: Austin, Dallas, Houston

Utah: Salt Lake City

Washington: Seattle

Wisconsin: Milwaukee

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: FULL_TIME

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