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Flight School Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fargo Jet Center LLC

Flight School Manager

Fargo, ND · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

Lead and manage all flight school personnel, including instructors and administrative/support staff * Oversee the scheduling, utilization, and operational readiness of the flight school aircraft ...

AVIATORS INC

Chief Flight Instructor

Reseda, CA · On-site

Chief Flight Instructor - Aviators Flight Academy, Van Nuys, CA Lead and Innovate in Aviation Training at a Part 141 Flight School Aviators Flight Academy, a leading Part 141 flight school located in ...

Marshall University

Flight Instructor

Huntington, WV

$38K - $50K/yr

The Certified Flight Instructor helps maintain quality instruction across the flight school by providing student training, consistent record keeping, and other duties as assigned by the Chief Flight ...

Marshall University

Flight Instructor

Huntington, WV · On-site

$38K - $50K/yr

Marshall's Bill Noe Flight School offers a Commercial Pilot bachelor's degree and FAA Part l4l ... Instructor experience Posting Detail Information Posting Number MU1243E Open Date 05/12/2026 Close ...

Vectored Approach

Flight Instructor

Austin, TX · On-site

$46 - $55/hr

... paced, professional flight school environment. What You'll Do * Provide flight and ground ... Participate in instructor meetings, standardization sessions, and safety briefings Qualifications

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Flight School Instructor information

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$25K

$94.6K

$145.5K

How much do flight school instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for flight school instructor in the United States is $94,620.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,000.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much can I make being a flight instructor?

Flight instructors typically earn between $25,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the number of flight hours they teach. Entry-level instructors often start at the lower end, while experienced instructors or those working at busy flight schools can earn higher wages and additional pay for flight hours or certifications.

How much do flying instructors get paid?

Flying instructors typically earn between $25,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the type of flight school. Pay may include hourly rates for flight hours taught, with more experienced instructors earning higher rates and additional compensation for ground instruction or exam preparation.

What is the difference between Flight School Instructor vs Flight Instructor?

AspectFlight School InstructorFlight Instructor
Required CertificationsCertified Flight Instructor (CFI), FAA certificationPrivate Pilot License (PPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL), Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
Work EnvironmentFlight schools, training aircraft, classroomsFlight training, aircraft, flight schools
Employer & IndustryFlight training academies, flight schoolsFlight schools, aviation training companies

Both roles involve instructing student pilots, often requiring similar certifications like the CFI. However, a Flight School Instructor typically refers specifically to those working within flight training academies, focusing on teaching student pilots in a structured environment. A Flight Instructor may also work independently or in various aviation settings, but both share core responsibilities and certification requirements.

What is the 5 hour rule for CFI?

The 5-hour rule for a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) refers to the requirement that CFIs must log at least 5 hours of flight training with a student before providing solo instruction or endorsement. This ensures the instructor has sufficient experience to evaluate the student's readiness and maintain safety standards during training sessions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Flight School Instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Flight School Instructor, you need an in-depth understanding of aviation principles, instructional techniques, and a valid Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) license. Familiarity with flight simulators, navigation systems, and up-to-date aviation software is crucial for effective teaching. Strong communication, patience, and situational awareness help instructors connect with students and ensure safe learning environments. These skills and qualifications are essential to provide high-quality training, uphold safety standards, and support student success in aviation careers.

Is there a demand for flight instructors?

The demand for flight instructors remains steady due to ongoing pilot training needs and a growing aviation industry. Many flight schools seek qualified instructors with certifications such as Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) to train new pilots, especially as pilot retirements increase and new pilots enter the workforce.

What are some common challenges Flight School Instructors face when training new pilots?

Flight School Instructors often encounter students with varying levels of experience, learning styles, and confidence, which can make it challenging to tailor instruction effectively. Weather disruptions and aircraft availability can also impact scheduling and lesson consistency. Additionally, instructors must ensure rigorous adherence to safety protocols while maintaining a supportive and motivating learning environment. Balancing administrative duties, such as record-keeping and progress assessments, with in-flight and ground instruction is also a key part of the role.

What are Flight School Instructors?

Flight School Instructors are certified pilots who teach students how to fly aircraft. They provide both ground and flight training, covering topics such as aviation theory, safety procedures, navigation, and aircraft operation. Instructors help students prepare for various pilot licenses and certifications by providing hands-on instruction and guidance. They are responsible for ensuring that students understand and meet all regulatory requirements, and they play a key role in developing safe, competent pilots.
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What cities are hiring for Flight School Instructor jobs? Cities with the most Flight School Instructor job openings:
What states have the most Flight School Instructor jobs? States with the most job openings for Flight School Instructor jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Flight School Instructor jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Flight School Instructor jobs are:
Flight School Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight School Instructor job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 48% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 9% Temporary, and 39% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,620 per year, or $45.5 per hour.

Certified Flight Instructor

Pilot Lounge Flight Sim for Kids

Los Angeles, CA

Other

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

About Pilot Lounge


Pilot Lounge Flight Sim for Kids is a flight simulation experience center and youth aviation education program based in Redondo Beach, California. We operate professional-grade General Aviation simulators - full cockpit panels featuring dual Garmin G1000 glass cockpit displays, analog backup instruments, force-feedback yoke, throttle quadrant, and rudder pedals - in a retail environment designed to make aviation accessible, exciting, and real for everyone who walks through our doors.

We run a 16-week Virtual Private Pilot ground school curriculum fully aligned with the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Standards (ACS), and serve youth ages 7–16. Our mission is to build the next generation of aviation professionals, and we need exceptional instructors to make it happen.


The Role


As a Pilot Lounge CFI, you are part educator, part mentor, part aviation ambassador. You are not flying students around a traffic pattern - you are teaching the science, systems, regulations, and decision-making that make a safe, confident pilot. Your primary tools are the classroom, the whiteboard, and five high-grade simulator stations.

Your primary students are kids and young adults who may never have sat in a real cockpit - and your job is to make them believe they can.

This is not a traditional flight school CFI role. It is a new learning environment focused on fostering the interest kids have in aviation. If you love aviation, and believe that access to aviation should not depend on zip code - this is your job.


What You'll Do



Ground School Instruction

  • Deliver structured ground school lessons from the Pilot Lounge 16-week curriculum covering aerodynamics, aircraft systems, instruments, airspace, weather, navigation, FARs, performance, and cross-country planning


Simulator Instruction

  • Conduct structured simulator sessions on the Desktop Pilot GA simulator stations — brief students before every session, actively coach during flight, debrief with specific feedback after



Flex days

Available for makeup sessions, placement assessments, open sim supervision



Requirements & Preferred Qualifications


Required — Must Have

  • FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate - current
  • Comfortable with General Aviation glass cockpit (Garmin G1000 or equivalent)
  • Strong verbal communication skills - able to explain concepts to ages 7–16
  • Reliable and punctual - cohort students depend on consistent scheduling
  • Able to pass a background check

Preferred — Nice to Have

  • Experience teaching youth or underserved communities
  • Familiarity with MSFS 2020 or X-Plane desktop simulation
  • Experience with FAA Part 141 or Part 61 syllabus development
  • Prior experience as ground school instructor or aviation camp counselor
  • Social media presence in the aviation community
  • Instrument Instructor (CFII) rating - or actively pursuing


Apply