1

Freelance Light Aircraft Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aircraft Pilot 1 (Multi PCN)

Juneau, AK · On-site

$47.95 - $53.17/hr

Light single-engine fixed wing aircraft pilot and/or instructor Turbine Aircraft pilot and/or instructor OUR ORGANIZATION, MISSION, AND CULTURE: The mission of the Department of Public Safety (DPS ...

Aircraft Pilot 1 (Multi PCN)

Juneau, AK · On-site

$47.95 - $53.17/hr

Light single-engine fixed wing aircraft pilot and/or instructor * Turbine Aircraft pilot and/or instructor OUR ORGANIZATION, MISSION, AND CULTURE: The mission of the Department of Public Safety (DPS ...

Aircraft Pilot 1 (12-2168)

Juneau, AK · On-site

$49.39 - $54.77/hr

Light single-engine fixed wing aircraft pilot and/or instructor * Turbine Aircraft pilot and/or instructor OUR ORGANIZATION, MISSION, AND CULTURE: The mission of the Department of Public Safety (DPS ...

Aircraft Pilot 1 (12-2168)

Juneau, AK · On-site

$49.39 - $54.77/hr

Light single-engine fixed wing aircraft pilot and/or instructor Turbine Aircraft pilot and/or instructor OUR ORGANIZATION, MISSION, AND CULTURE: The mission of the Department of Public Safety (DPS ...

... aircraft are prepared to carry out wildfire suppression and related activities safely and ... Perform rotary wing mission flights piloting light and medium helicopters to support agency ...

Chief Pilot

Columbia, MO · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

Ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operation of the CJ2 aircraft * Conduct pre-flight planning ... Type rating and/or significant experience in Cessna Citation CJ2 or similar light jets strongly ...

Research Pilot

Edwards, CA · On-site

$170K - $190K/yr

AFRC aircraft are located at the main campus at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Deployed ... Light to medium work. Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, see, hear, stoop, crouch, feel, handle ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Freelance Light Aircraft Pilot information

See salary details

$49.5K

$130.9K

$201K

How much do freelance light aircraft pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance light aircraft pilot in the United States is $130,916.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of clients and assignments can a freelance light aircraft pilot expect to work with, and how does this impact daily responsibilities?

Freelance light aircraft pilots often work with a variety of clients, such as private individuals, small businesses, aerial survey companies, or flight schools. Assignments can range from short charter flights and sightseeing tours to aerial photography, agricultural spraying, or cargo delivery. This diversity means pilots must be adaptable, ready to handle varying flight plans, and able to communicate clearly with both clients and ground support. Daily responsibilities typically include pre-flight planning, weather evaluation, client coordination, and strict adherence to safety protocols. The freelance nature of the role also requires pilots to manage their own schedules, maintain necessary certifications, and ensure their aircraft are compliant with regulations.

What is the difference between Freelance Light Aircraft Pilot vs Commercial Pilot?

AspectFreelance Light Aircraft PilotCommercial Pilot
CertificationsPrivate Pilot License (PPL), possibly Commercial Pilot License (CPL) for paid workCommercial Pilot License (CPL) required
Work EnvironmentPrivate flights, aerial photography, sightseeing, charter servicesPassenger transport, cargo, aerial work, airline operations
Employer & IndustryIndependent clients, small charter companies, aerial service providersAirlines, charter companies, cargo carriers

Freelance Light Aircraft Pilots typically operate smaller aircraft for private, aerial, or charter services, often working independently or with small companies. Commercial Pilots operate larger aircraft within airline or cargo industries, requiring more advanced certifications and working for larger organizations. The main differences lie in certifications, work scope, and employment settings.

What does a freelance light aircraft pilot do?

A freelance light aircraft pilot operates small aircraft on a contract or per-job basis, rather than working for a single employer. Their duties may include transporting passengers, delivering cargo, conducting aerial surveys, or providing flight instruction. Freelance pilots are responsible for planning flights, ensuring aircraft safety, and maintaining compliance with aviation regulations. They often work with various clients and must be adaptable to different types of missions and aircraft. Building a network and maintaining up-to-date licenses and certifications are essential for success in this field.

How much do freelance light aircraft pilots make?

Freelance light aircraft pilots typically earn between $25,000 and $75,000 annually, depending on experience, flight hours, and the type of flights they perform. Many pilots supplement income through additional services such as aerial photography or flight instruction, and certifications like private or commercial pilot licenses are essential for higher-paying opportunities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance light aircraft pilot, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Light Aircraft Pilot, you need a valid pilot’s license (such as a PPL or CPL), thorough knowledge of aviation regulations, and strong flight training. Competence with avionics systems, GPS navigation, and flight planning software is typically required. Excellent situational awareness, decision-making, and communication skills help ensure safety and client satisfaction. These skills and qualifications are crucial for safely operating aircraft, managing diverse assignments, and building a reliable professional reputation.
More about Freelance Light Aircraft Pilot jobs
What cities are hiring for Freelance Light Aircraft Pilot jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Light Aircraft Pilot job openings:
What states have the most Freelance Light Aircraft Pilot jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Light Aircraft Pilot jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Light Aircraft Pilot jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Light Aircraft Pilot jobs are:
Infographic showing various Freelance Light Aircraft Pilot job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,916 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Aircraft Pilot 1 (Multi PCN)

State of Alaska

Juneau, AK • On-site

$47.95 - $53.17/hr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


State Of Alaska rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 74 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

4th of 50 rated states


Job description

Job Description The recruitment is exempt from the hiring freeze (Administrative Order 358) ** This recruitment is open Nationwide. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. ** WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:This position pilots State-owned/leased single-engine fixed wing and/or reciprocating helicopters in support of law enforcement missions, Search and Rescues (SAR), and other missions as directed.

Aircraft Pilot 1's may fill the following duty positions based on location: Aircraft Pilot 1's may fill the following positions based on location or operational need: Light single-engine fixed wing aircraft pilot and/or instructor Turbine Aircraft pilot and/or instructor OUR ORGANIZATION, MISSION, AND CULTURE: The mission of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is to ensure public safety and enforce fish and wildlife laws. The DPS strives to preserve the peace, enforce the law, prevent and detect crime, and protect life and property. The Aircraft Section's contribution to the Department's Mission is to preserve public peace, protect life, property, and resources.

As a member of the DPS, you would be instrumental in ensuring this mission is met by providing direct support for law enforcement activities. THE BENEFITS OF JOINING OUR TEAM:As a member of one of the most unique law enforcement agencies in the nation, you will be part of a team that embraces the core values of loyalty, integrity, courage, compassion, leadership, and accountability as they serve Alaska. In this fast-paced environment, you will work with a phenomenal team of professionals, both civilian and commissioned.

THE WORKING CONDITIONS YOU CAN EXPECT: This position is located and based out of our Anchorage-based Aircraft Section at the Lake Hood Seaplane base. Our Anchorage Aircraft Section has a beautiful view of Lake Hood. This position requires travel throughout Alaska providing aircraft support.

This position may work an alternate work schedule such as eight days on and six days off. This position does not offer housing, nor does it offer someone living outside of Anchorage paid travel to and from the worksite. The work environment is friendly, team-oriented, and productive.

We recognize the uniqueness of life in Alaska's rural and urban communities. We recommend all applicants visit the Community Database for a glimpse into Alaska's communities and lifestyle by providing images of places, people, cultural events, public facilities, landscapes, and other dimensions of community life at https://dcra-cdo-dcced.opendata.arcgis.com/. This position will travel throughout Alaska providing aircraft and training support

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: Correlation level knowledge of flying maneuvers required for day (required), night, and instrument flying (desired) conditions, skill piloting light fixed wing aircraft operated by the department Single engine commercial pilot certificates and instrument pilot rating. A total of 1,500 hours flying aircraft which includes 500 hours as Pilot-in-Command (PIC) fixed wing aircraft. Of this required flight time, 250 hours as PIC must be Alaska time (100 hours of which were logged within the 12 months prior to employment.) and 100 hours of turbo prop experience preferred

Knowledge of aircraft maintenance procedures in the following area: Perform light fixed wing aircraft post-maintenance function checks and coordinate findings with the aircraft maintenance personnel Provide logistics support with other department pilots in order to move light fixed wing aircraft between its based location to one of our maintenance hubs Ability to continuously correlate input from man, machine, management, mission, and environment into safe and rational aeronautical decisions Ability to make a safe and rational go/no-go flight decision and to determine if weather and other flight safety considerations are within acceptable ranges Computer skills that enable competent use of web-based tools to obtain pre-flight weather briefings, filing of flight plans, and flight risk assessments. The Department of Public Safety strives to preserve the peace, enforce the law, prevent and detect crime, and protect life and property. All positions support or carry out the Department's mission.

If our mission interests you and this position embodies your strengths, please consider joining our team. More information about the Department of Public Safety can be found on our website: http://dps.alaska.gov/ Minimum Qualifications Current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Licensure and class of Medical Certification as a Commercial Pilot or Airline Transport Pilot with ratings, including operating under instrument flight rules, appropriate to the category, class, and type of aircraft flown for the position and directed by the position; AND Applicable hours as Pilot In Command (PIC) of appropriate category and class of aircraft predominantly flown by the position that includes sufficient flying time to safely and effectively operate aircraft in the geography, topography, and weather conditions equivalent to those predominantly encountered in the position's Alaskan areas of operation. Special Note: As part of the examination process, the employing department will require successful completion of a flight check and approval from a certified flight instructor in the make and model of craft to be flown

Additional Required Information COVER LETTER A cover letter is NOT required for this position. Your complete application will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process. AT TIME OF INTERVIEW: Current FAA Licensure as a single engine commercial pilot and instrument pilot rating List of three (3) professional references, two of which are from a current or former direct supervisor.

Last two (2) performance evaluations, if available FIREARMS This position requires the use or possession of a firearm or ammunition. In accordance with the federal Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 (PL 104-208), if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you may not hold this position. A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is an offense that is (1) a misdemeanor under Federal or state law; and (2) has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim.

If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, do NOT apply for this position. BACKGROUND CHECK This position requires the incumbent to submit to a fingerprint based criminal history background check. Due to the sensitive nature of this position, and required access to APSIN, an applicant with criminal convictions will not move forward in the selection process.

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT The successful candidate will be required to read, understand, and agree to via signature, an agreement of confidentiality concerning the work commonly encountered within the Department of Public Safety to qualify for this position. EDUCATION To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed.

Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S

state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. WORK EXPERIENCE Applications will be reviewed to determine if minimum qualifications are met.

Therefore, all work experiences the applicant is using to meet minimum qualifications for this position must be documented in the application package. Please include the employer's name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether the employment was full or part-time. Applicants who submit packages that do not provide sufficient information to demonstrate minimum qualifications are met may not advance in the selection process.

NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting. MULTIPLE VACANCIES This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy.

The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies. EEO STATEMENT The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer

NOTICE If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the 'govermentjobs.com' domains. For information on allowing emails from the 'governmentjobs.com' domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov

Contact Information For specific information about the position, feel free to contact the hiring manager at: Clifford Gilliland Aviation Program Manager Phone: 907-269-4193 clifford.gilliland@alaska.gov.


What State Of Alaska employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


State of Alaska logo

About State of Alaska

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The State of Alaska is not a traditional company, but rather a governmental body responsible for running the state, the largest in the U.S. by area. This body's responsibilities include public utilities, healthcare, transportation, environmental protection, and public safety services among others. Designed to serve the interests of the Alaskan people, it was established in 1959 when Alaska was officially accepted as the 49th U.S. State. The official website, alaska.gov, is a comprehensive resource offering access to a multitude of departments, services, and information pertaining to the state.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Anchorage, AK, US

Year founded

1959

Social media