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First Officer Pilot Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Aero

Gulfstream G-IV First Officer, VNY

Van Nuys, 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 ...

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

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 ...

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 ...

Pilot Company

Technician, Imaging

Orange, CA

$24.35 - $40.15/hr

Company Description Pilot Company is an industry-leading network of travel centers with more than ... Haslam II and currently led by CEO Adam Wright, our founding values, people-first culture and ...

Pilot Company

Technician, Imaging

Orange, CA

$24.35 - $40.15/hr

Company Description Pilot Company is an industry-leading network of travel centers with more than ... Haslam II and currently led by CEO Adam Wright, our founding values, people-first culture and ...

Pilot Company

Technician, Imaging

Orange, CA · On-site

$24.35 - $40.15/hr

Company Description Pilot Company is an industry-leading network of travel centers with more than ... Haslam II and currently led by CEO Adam Wright, our founding values, people-first culture and ...

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All JobsFirst Officer Pilot JobsFirst Officer Pilot Jobs in California

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 Sep 3, 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 is a first officer pilot?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

More about First Officer Pilot jobs

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For First Officer Pilot jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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First Officer Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various First Officer Pilot job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Internship, 92% Full Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,968 per year, or $32.2 per hour.

Gulfstream G-IV First Officer, VNY

Aero

Van Nuys, CA

$110K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

 
ABOUT AERO
At Aero, we believe that exceptional journeys start with exceptional people. Inspired by the golden age of aviation, we’re redefining air travel with a modern approach. Our direct, premium flights via private terminals deliver the comfort of low-contact travel and the effortlessly fabulous experience of flying private. Just as we create an elevated experience for our guests, we invest in creating the same for our people—prioritizing transparency, support, accountability and fulfillment to foster a culture of trust and purpose.
 
ABOUT THIS ROLE
Aero is looking for the next generation of aviators, particularly an experienced Gulfstream G-IV First Officer (SIC) to join our team! Safety, professionalism, and passion are three of the bedrock characteristics that define our aviators. As the premium flying service provider, we seek individuals who not only love Aviation and flying but also value creating amazing customer experiences. Our pilots are not only leaders on the aircraft they fly but also leaders in our operation, serving as the foundation of our success. Thus, we seek to find individuals with a special combination of skills including, one who can anticipate a need, develop a plan of action, and execute in collaboration with necessary team members, a plan of success.  Meet the requirements and ready to elevate your career? We invite you to apply at the portal below.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Set a high standard for providing our customers with safe and reliable travel
  • Handle a wide variety of situations while working with other team members and our customers
  • Work independently and as part of a team with limited supervision
  • Ensure the safety and comfort of our customers
  • Provide leadership by responding to a variety of emergency and non-emergency situations
  • Work in climates and locations across the globe and work variable shifts 
REQUIREMENTS
  • Excellent communication skills and quick and accurate decision making
  • Close attention to detail
  • Gulfstream G-IV Type rating 
  • FAA ATP License
  • Minimum flight experience:2,000 TT, 1,000 Turbojet, 500 PIC, 100 hours time in type (G-IV) 
  • At least 1 year of Part 135 and/or Part 121 experience Ability to work varying hours including day or night, on weekends and holidays 
  • Fulfillment of TSA criminal background checks (CHRC)
  • Ability to learn and work with PEDs
  • Valid FCC Restricted Radio Telephone Operator Permit
  • Valid First Class Medical Certificate
  • Must be authorized work in the United States
  • Must be able to travel unrestricted to all locations Aero flies to
  • Additionally, we require all of our pilots to have a valid passport and documentation allowing for entry into the United States after an international flight. 
  • As this is a (DOT) safety-sensitive position as defined in 14 CFR part 120[1] and 49 CFR part 40: All prospective employees are subject to pre-employment testing for the following drugs and their metabolites: Marijuana, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Opioids, and Phencyclidine (PCP).

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.