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First Pilot Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

For position requiring the piloting of fighter jet aircraft (e.g., F-16, A-10, F-15, F-22), each hours as First Pilot and/or Instructor Pilot in a fighter jet aircraft may be counted as two hours of ...

S. passport • TOP SECRET security clearance Desired skills • 1,000 hours first pilot time. • Graduate of a formal Test Pilot School. • Experience in all flight test disciplines to include ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Pilot

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$225K - $260K/yr

FAA 1st Class Medical *Valid Passport *Ability to obtain and maintain CANPASS authorization for unrestricted travel to/from Canada as a commercial pilot. *Compliant with ICAO Annex I - 2.1.10 as it ...

Pilot Captain

Burbank, CA

$247K - $332K/yr

Pilot Captain Req ID: 10146115 Magic takes flight when you join the Disney Aviation Group as our ... FAA First Class Medical Certificate Additional Qualifications It would be nice if you also have:

Pilots will fly sorties for NASA and NASA customers to ensure that quality products and safe ... Should possess knowledge and first-hand experience necessary to succeed as a government contractor ...

Research Pilot

Edwards, CA · On-site

$170K - $190K/yr

Pilots will fly sorties for NASA and NASA customers to ensure that quality products and safe ... Should possess knowledge and first-hand experience necessary to succeed as a government contractor ...

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Pilot Driver

Stockton, CA · On-site

$19 - $21/hr

Reeve Trucking is seeking a Pilot car driver to join our team . Duties will include escort of ... Drug Free Environment -Safety First Attitude -Management That Knows the Value of Employee ...

Pilots will fly sorties for NASA and NASA customers to ensure that quality products and safe ... Should possess knowledge and first-hand experience necessary to succeed as a government contractor ...

Commercial Multi-Engine Land, Airline Transport Pilot license preferred FAA First Class Medical Rated in King Air - 300/350 - preferred CA Driver's License or plan to convert to CA Minimum Experience ...

Candidate Profile Requirements Certifications/Licenses: • Commercial Multi-Engine Land, Airline Transport Pilot license preferred • FAA First Class Medical • Rated in King Air - 300/350 ...

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First Pilot information

See California salary details

$48.9K

$129.2K

$198.4K

How much do first pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for first pilot in California is $129,202.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,700.00 and $153,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges First Pilots face during long-haul flights, and how are these managed on the job?

First Pilots on long-haul flights often face challenges such as fatigue management, maintaining situational awareness over extended periods, and adapting to rapidly changing weather or air traffic conditions. These are managed through regulated rest periods, effective crew resource management, and strict adherence to safety protocols. Collaboration with co-pilots, cabin crew, and air traffic controllers is essential to ensure safe and efficient operations throughout the flight. Continuous training and simulation exercises also help First Pilots stay prepared for unexpected situations.

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

To thrive as a First Pilot, you need an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), strong aeronautical knowledge, and extensive flight experience. Familiarity with advanced avionics, flight management systems, and regulatory compliance tools is essential. Excellent decision-making, situational awareness, and communication skills set top pilots apart in the cockpit. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring passenger safety, efficient flight operations, and effective teamwork in high-pressure environments.

What is the difference between First Pilot vs Co-Pilot?

AspectFirst PilotCo-Pilot
CertificationsCommercial Pilot License (CPL), Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificateCommercial Pilot License (CPL), often with additional type ratings
Work EnvironmentLeads flight operations, makes critical decisions, oversees crewAssists the First Pilot, manages navigation and communication
ResponsibilitiesOverall flight command, safety, and decision-makingSupports the First Pilot, handles specific flight tasks

The First Pilot is the primary authority during flights, responsible for safety and decision-making, while the Co-Pilot assists and supports the First Pilot in operating the aircraft. Both roles require similar certifications, but the First Pilot holds the lead position in flight operations.

What are First Pilots?

First Pilots, also known as captains, are the lead pilots responsible for commanding an aircraft during flights. They oversee all aspects of flight operations, including navigation, communication with air traffic control, and ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. First Pilots have the highest authority on the aircraft and make critical decisions, especially in emergency situations. They are required to have extensive flying experience, advanced training, and must hold an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). Their leadership and expertise are essential for the safe and efficient operation of commercial and cargo flights.
What cities in California are hiring for First Pilot jobs? Cities in California with the most First Pilot job openings:
Infographic showing various First Pilot job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $129,202 per year, or $62.1 per hour.
AIRPLANE PILOT with Security Clearance

AIRPLANE PILOT with Security Clearance

Department of Defense

March Air Reserve Base, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

Duties The primary purpose of this position is: as an Air Reserve Technician (ART) officer position to serve as a staff officer responsible for staff assistance and management of operational and training programs for assigned units. Additionally, provides training to reservists in the accomplishment of tasks set forth herein. Duties: 1: Performs staff management over flight training activities of subordinate flying units, including unit aircrew flight currency and ground training programs.

2: Provides staff management over aircraft operations and resources. Provides staff oversight to subordinate units on allocations and utilization of electronic combat assets, Night Vision Goggles (NVGs), and special mission capable weapons (if applicable). 3: Provides the Director and Division Chief a trend analysis/status report on all assigned flying units.

As required, flies as an instructor/evaluator in unit aircraft. 4: Ensures that assigned units meet or exceed readiness and compliance requirements and are capable of supporting upgraded/ modified/ new aircraft as indicated. 5: Represents the NAF at conferences, seminars, and meetings for the purpose of providing a Reserve management perspective, and participates in staff assistance visits, and management/compliance inspections.

Requirements Conditions of employment * Gaining Unit paying PCS * U.S. Citizenship is required * Must be a current member of the AF Reserves or willing/qualified to join * Must be able to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance. * If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations.

If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/ * Total salary varies depending on location of position * This posn is subject to provision of the DoD Priority Placement Program * Must sign a mobility agreement * Position may be subject to random drug testing * Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays * Shift work and emergency overtime may be required * Employee must maintain current certifications * Disclosure of Political Appointments * Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit * Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position * Leave accrual may be authorized upon request Qualifications THIS IS AN AIR RESERVE TECHNICIAN OFFICER POSITION. This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) Officer position located at 4 AIR FORCE with the military rank of LTCOL, AFSC: 011M4Y.

For questions concerning military eligibility please contact the Air Force Reserve Qualification Center at 1-800-257-1212. EXPERIENCE: No specific length of experience required. The qualifications of Airplane/Helicopter Pilots or Airplane/Helicopter Flight Instructors in an Air Force active duty and Reserve force are directly related to the completion of prerequisite training and number of flying hours rather than years of experience.

GS-13: Must have logged 2,000 or more total pilot time (i.e., accumulation of primary, secondary, instructor, evaluator, simulator and student time), or 1,300 hours Primary Flight Time (i.e. primary, secondary, instructor, and evaluator time) or Instructor Pilot time. Must be instructor qualified in unit aircraft.

(Note: For position requiring the piloting of fighter jet aircraft (e.g., F-16, A-10, F-15, F-22), each hours as First Pilot and/or Instructor Pilot in a fighter jet aircraft may be counted as two hours of flying time when determining total hours of pilot time or primary and/or instructor pilot time. Training aircraft (T-37/T-38) should be considered when giving double credit but only for those hours in which candidates logged either instructor/evaluator pilot or primary pilot time. Flying hours logged as a student pilot will be credited one-for-one when calculating total time.) Federal Time-In-Grade (TIG) Requirement for General Schedule (GS) Positions: Applicants must have served at least 52 weeks at the GS- 12 grade level or higher grade (or equivalent in an alternate pay system) within the Federal Civil Service to be considered for referral.

TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge of and skill in the application of rated aviator expertise, as a pilot.

2. Knowledge of flying and mission operations; and capabilities, limitations, and techniques for employment of various aircraft. 3.

Knowledge of and ability to formulate plans and policies pertaining to flying operations and unit flying training activities. 4. Knowledge of the relationships of the various Air Force Reserve entities, other MAJCOMs and Air Force in overall planning and execution of military operations and evaluations.

5. Ability to plan and organize workload and activities, and to manage multiple taskings. 6.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS: 1. This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) officer position.

The incumbent is required to meet and maintain Air Force Reserve requirements. Work schedule will be aligned to allow the incumbent to fully participate in unit training assemblies. The incumbent's regular assignments are primarily ART duties; however, the incumbent may also be assigned non-ART duties, generally not to exceed 30 percent of total responsibilities.

2. This is an AFRC key management position, in which, the incumbent is required to formulate, determine, and/or influence policies. Must be highly knowledgeable of the AFRC mission and responsibilities.

As a designated key position, the term "key" as it is used here relates to the ART program that defines the position as critical to mobilization capability (i.e., formulates, determines or influences policies of the unit to which assigned), and has no relationship to the term "key" as defined in AFI 36-507. Must be highly knowledgeable in the capabilities, limitations, and techniques for employment of unit aircraft. Must display professionalism, expertise, courtesy, and decorum during contacts and duty performance.

3. This position is designated as a mobility position. Incumbent must be willing to move/transfer to another unit/location on a lateral or promotion basis as directed by HQ AFRC.

AFRC command-wide geographic mobility is a condition of employment for all ART Officer positions. The employee must sign a mobility agreement. 4.

The incumbent must possess demonstrated leadership and managerial abilities essential to successful accomplishment of responsibilities inherent in this position. 5. The incumbent must obtain and retain the appropriate a Secret security clearance level designated for the position.

The position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain a secret clearance. 6. Must be a rated aircrew member (pilot) on flying status.

Periodically, as prescribed by regulations, must take and pass standardization/evaluation flight examinations which consist of both written tests and actual flight performance to demonstrate flight knowledge and abilities required by the position. Incumbent must participate in regular, frequent flights, as directed by the supervisor, over and above the flights required by the position. The incumbent is subject to the normal pressures, deadlines, and other conditions inherent in this position and others found in the aircrew occupation.

May be exposed to gravity forces of three to seven depending upon aircraft to which assigned. Must be highly knowledgeable in the capabilities, limitations, and techniques for employment of unit assigned aircraft. 7.

The incumbent of the position must become instructor qualified within two years from the date of appointment to the position. This is a condition of employment. 8.

This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The employee is subject to random drug testing. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing and participation in random drug testing as a condition of employment.

Drug Test requirement was modified with AFI 90-508, Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program, 28 August 2014; Certified Current 18 December 2015 which supersedes AFI 44-107, 7 April 2010. Positions covered by this SPD must be reviewed for proper "Testing Designated Position (TDP)" coding to comply with the AF Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program (AFI 90-508). Drug testing is a condition of employment.

9. This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.

10. In order to meet special or essential unscheduled activities, may be required to work an uncommon tour of duty with brief advance notice. 11.

The incumbent may be required to fly in military and/or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments (TDY) away from the normal duty station. 12. The incumbent may be required to work overtime to meet workload demands.

13. Performs other duties as assigned PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. Yo