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Helicopter Nurse Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Helicopter Pilot Aero Med

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$83K - $104K/yr

Helicopter Pilots: 2,500 hours helicopter flight experience, 1,500 hours pilot in command hours ... Collaborative, Professional Crew Environment Work alongside experienced nurses, paramedics ...

Helicopter Pilot Aero Med

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$86K - $107K/yr

Helicopter Pilots: 2,500 hours helicopter flight experience, 1,500 hours pilot in command hours ... Collaborative, Professional Crew Environment Work alongside experienced nurses, paramedics ...

Helicopter Pilot Aero Med

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$86K - $107K/yr

Helicopter Pilots: 2,500 hours helicopter flight experience, 1,500 hours pilot in command hours ... Collaborative, Professional Crew Environment Work alongside experienced nurses, paramedics ...

Helicopter and ambulance transport experience required Additional Information * Provides neonatal ... State Board of Nursing license verification and NURSYS verification required for consideration ...

From the unique vantage point of a helicopter, you'll enjoy breathtaking views, enhancing the ... Provides nursing care within his/her scope of practice from the initial contact until patient care ...

From the unique vantage point of a helicopter, you'll enjoy breathtaking views, enhancing the ... Provides nursing care within his/her scope of practice from the initial contact until patient care ...

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Helicopter Nurse information

See salary details

$30.5K

$75.7K

$110.5K

How much do helicopter nurse jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for helicopter nurse in the United States is $75,733.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,000.00 and $106,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Helicopter Nurse vs Flight Nurse?

AspectHelicopter NurseFlight Nurse
CertificationsRegistered Nurse (RN), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)Registered Nurse (RN), ACLS, PALS, and often Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
Work EnvironmentHelicopter emergency medical services, often in rural or remote areasAir ambulance, fixed-wing or helicopter, in various locations
Employer & IndustryEMS providers, hospitals, air ambulance servicesAir ambulance companies, hospitals, specialized transport services

Both Helicopter Nurses and Flight Nurses are critical in aeromedical transport, requiring similar certifications and skills. The main difference lies in their work environment: Helicopter Nurses typically work in helicopter EMS in emergency settings, while Flight Nurses may operate in both helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft, often in longer-distance transports. Both roles demand high-level nursing skills and emergency care expertise.

How much does a nurse on a helicopter make?

A helicopter nurse, also known as a flight nurse, typically earns between $60,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and location. Salaries can be higher with specialized skills, advanced certifications, and in regions with high demand for emergency medical services. The role often requires critical care experience and the ability to work in high-pressure environments.

How do you become a helicopter nurse?

To become a helicopter nurse, you typically need to be a registered nurse with critical care or emergency experience, obtain certifications such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and gain experience in trauma or emergency settings. Additional training in aeromedical transport and familiarity with helicopter equipment are also important for this specialized role.

What are helicopter nurses?

Helicopter nurses, also known as flight nurses, are registered nurses who provide critical medical care to patients while being transported by helicopter, often in emergency or trauma situations. They work as part of air medical teams alongside paramedics and pilots, delivering advanced life support and stabilizing patients en route to hospitals. Helicopter nurses must be skilled in emergency procedures and able to perform under pressure in challenging environments. Their role is vital in ensuring patients receive timely and effective care during air transport.

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

To thrive as a Helicopter Nurse, you need advanced clinical expertise in emergency and critical care, an active RN license, and certifications such as CCRN, CEN, or CFRN. Familiarity with aeromedical equipment, transport ventilators, and patient monitoring systems is essential, as is training in flight physiology and safety protocols. Strong decision-making, teamwork, and adaptability under pressure distinguish top performers in this high-stress role. These skills ensure rapid, safe, and effective patient care during air transport, often in unpredictable and challenging environments.

How to make $300,000 as a nurse?

Helicopter nurses can earn high salaries by gaining specialized certifications, such as flight nurse credentials, and accumulating extensive experience in emergency or critical care. Working in high-demand regions, overtime, and taking on leadership or training roles can also increase earnings to reach or exceed $300,000 annually.

What is a nurse on a helicopter called?

A nurse who works on a helicopter is typically called a helicopter nurse or flight nurse. They are trained in emergency medical care, often hold certifications like Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and work in high-pressure environments to provide critical care during air transport.

What are some common challenges faced by helicopter nurses during air medical transports?

Helicopter nurses often work in high-pressure situations where they must provide advanced medical care in confined spaces and sometimes unpredictable weather conditions. They need to make quick, critical decisions while collaborating closely with pilots and paramedics, all while ensuring patient safety and comfort during flight. Additionally, the physical demands of lifting and moving patients, exposure to noise, and irregular schedules can be challenging. However, many find the role highly rewarding due to the direct impact on patient outcomes and the strong sense of teamwork.
More about Helicopter Nurse jobs
What cities are hiring for Helicopter Nurse jobs? Cities with the most Helicopter Nurse job openings:
What states have the most Helicopter Nurse jobs? States with the most job openings for Helicopter Nurse jobs include:
Infographic showing various Helicopter Nurse job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $75,733 per year, or $36.4 per hour.
Helicopter Pilot Aero Med

Helicopter Pilot Aero Med

Corewell Health

Grand Rapids, MI • On-site

$83K - $104K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Corewell Health rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 771 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

454th of 890 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Aero Med Pilot

Corewell Health is offering up to a $20,000 sign-on bonus for this position!

About the Team:

At Corewell Health Aero Med and North Flight Aero Med, our pilots don't just fly aircraft - they are trusted professionals, safety leaders, and essential members of a highly skilled medical transport team. As part of a hospital-based air medical program, you'll support critical care transport across Michigan, serving rural and urban communities when they need us most. Our pilots operate in a collaborative, just-culture environment where safety is never compromised and professional judgment is respected. You'll fly modern, well-maintained aircraft, work alongside experienced maintenance, medical and dispatch teams, and be supported by an aviation leadership team that understands what it takes to operate safely in our community.

Essential Functions

  • Operates a Corewell Health Hospitals aircraft.
  • Maintains required documentation per FAA / company standards.
  • Communicates, collaborates and acts as a resource to team members and others in order to facilitate continuity and coordination of services. Acts as a resource to members of the community in outreach initiatives.
  • Maintain accountability for the safety of aircraft operations.
  • Provides input into the development / revision of policies / procedures related to area of accountability. Participates in process improvement activities to improve outcomes.
  • Demonstrates commitment to patient and team member safety. Considers safety as the primary factor in all decisions.

Qualifications

Required:

  • Helicopter Pilots: 2,500 hours helicopter flight experience, 1,500 hours pilot in command hours, 150 hours pilot in command unaided night hours.
  • Experience in Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and night operation
  • CRT-Air Transport Pilot - Needs by 2 years
  • CRT-FAA Flight Physical - DOT Department of Transportation Upon Hire
  • LIC-Commercial Pilot License FAA upon hire

Preferred:

  • Fixed Wing Pilots: 3,500 hours total flight experience, 2,000 hours pilot in command of multi-engine aircraft, and 1,500 hours of pilot in command of a turbine powered aircraft
  • EMS flight experience
  • FAA part 135 experience
  • Winter Operations

Why Pilots Choose Aero Med & North Flight Aero Med

  • Hospital-Based, Mission-Driven Program Fly for a not-for-profit, hospital-based operation with its own FAA Part 135 certificate where safety and patient care drive every decision.
  • Safety Is the Standard, Not a Slogan A mature Safety Management System, just culture, and leadership that fully supports conservative go/no-go decisions.
  • Modern Aircraft and Strong In-House Maintenance Support Well-maintained aircraft (Sikorsky S-76 C++ and King Air 200/250) supported by dedicated aviation maintenance teams focused on reliability and safety.
  • Respect for Pilot Authority and Judgment Our pilots are trusted professionals with clear operational authority over safety, weather, and aircraft decisions.
  • Collaborative, Professional Crew Environment Work alongside experienced nurses, paramedics, mechanics, and dispatchers who value Crew Resource Management, communication, and mutual respect.
  • Challenging, Meaningful Flying IFR, night, winter, and rural operations across Michigan - flights that demand skill, judgment, and professionalism.
  • Investment in Training and Professional Growth Ongoing initial and recurrent training (no contract), in full flight simulators (twice annually), and opportunities to contribute to safety, policy, and operational improvements.
  • Stable Schedules and Sustainable Careers Three 12-hour shifts with predictable rotations designed to support work-life balance and long-term pilot retention - no need to live out of your suitcase.

If you're looking for a program where professionalism is expected, safety is protected, and every flight has purpose, Aero Med and North Flight Aero Med may be the place for you.

Work Perks:

  • Comprehensive full-time benefit package offered by Corewell Health
  • Additional provided life insurance coverage for pilots
  • Company provided flight suit, coat and helmet
  • Private pilot's quarters with bed, desk and computer
  • Well maintained base facility with modern fitness room, full kitchen
  • Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) accredited
  • Part 135 certificate managed by Spectrum Health Hospitals d/b/a Aero Med BTEA482C

How Corewell Health cares for you

  • Comprehensive benefits package to meet your financial, health, and work/life balance goals.
  • On-demand pay program powered by Payactiv
  • Discounts directory with deals on the things that matter to you, like restaurants, phone plans, spas, and more!
  • Optional identity theft protection, home and auto insurance
  • Traditional and Roth retirement options with service contribution and match savings
  • Eligibility for benefits is determined by employment type and status

Primary Location

SITE - Aero Med Base - 4494 Corporate Dr - Grand Rapids

Department Name

Aero Med - Grand Rapids Hosp

Employment Type

Full time

Shift

Rotating (United States of America)

Weekly Scheduled Hours

36

Hours of Work

Variable

Days Worked

Variable

Weekend Frequency

Every other weekend

CURRENT COREWELL HEALTH TEAM MEMBERS Please apply through Find Jobs from your Workday team member account. This career site is for Non-Corewell Health team members only.

Corewell Health is committed to providing a safe environment for our team members, patients, visitors, and community. We require a drug-free workplace and require team members to comply with the MMR, Varicella, Tdap, and Influenza vaccine requirement if in an on-site or hybrid workplace category. We are committed to supporting prospective team members who require reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application process, to perform the essential functions of a job, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment due to a disability, pregnancy, or sincerely held religious belief.

Corewell Health grants equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, genetic information, marital status, height, weight, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other legally protected category.

An interconnected, collaborative culture where all are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work, is vital to the health of our organization. As a health system, we advocate for equity as we care for our patients, our communities, and each other. From workshops that develop cultural intelligence, to our inclusion resource groups for people to find community and empowerment at work, we are dedicated to ongoing resources that advance our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. We invite those that share in our commitment to join our team.

You may request assistance in completing the application process by calling 616.486.7447.


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