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Helicopter Rescue Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

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Helicopter Rescue information

See Colorado salary details

$62.6K

$101.4K

$107.8K

How much do helicopter rescue jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for helicopter rescue in Colorado is $101,363.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,600.00 and $103,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a helicopter rescue?

As a helicopter rescue pilot, your job is to help provide emergency services in response to sudden needs. In this role, you may keep your helicopter ready to head out on a flight, coordinate with emergency rescuers, and perform various airborne tasks as needed. This job particularly focuses on search and rescue operations, such as finding and recovering people who are lost in the wilderness. Pilots do not provide medical care for rescued passengers, but other personnel onboard might. Related jobs include flight crew, paramedic, or maintenance positions. Helicopter rescue jobs should not be confused with air ambulance jobs. While you may deliver people to hospitals, this job does not always involve rescuing sick or injured passengers and may involve flying into dangerous situations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a helicopter rescue specialist?

To thrive as a Helicopter Rescue Specialist, you need advanced knowledge of search and rescue operations, aviation safety, and emergency medical response, typically supported by certifications such as EMT or paramedic and specialized rescue training. Familiarity with navigation systems, radio communication tools, winching equipment, and survival gear is essential. Exceptional decision-making skills, teamwork, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are critical soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure safe, efficient rescues and optimal outcomes in challenging and often life-threatening environments.

What are some common challenges faced by helicopter rescue professionals during emergency missions?

Helicopter rescue professionals often encounter rapidly changing weather conditions, challenging terrain, and the need to make quick, critical decisions under pressure. Working as part of a tightly coordinated team, they must communicate effectively with pilots, medical staff, and ground teams to ensure a successful rescue. Physical and mental stamina are crucial, as missions can be unpredictable and require long hours. Continuous training and adaptability help professionals overcome these challenges and maintain safety for both the rescue team and those being assisted.

What is the difference between Helicopter Rescue vs Search and Rescue Technician?

AspectHelicopter RescueSearch and Rescue Technician
CertificationsFAA helicopter pilot license, rescue trainingFirst aid, CPR, rescue operations training
Work EnvironmentHelicopter, outdoor, remote locationsGround-based, varied terrains
Employer & IndustryRescue agencies, emergency servicesFire departments, rescue teams

Helicopter Rescue involves operating helicopters to perform aerial rescues, often requiring pilot licenses and specialized rescue training. Search and Rescue Technicians typically work on the ground, conducting search operations and providing emergency aid. While both roles focus on saving lives, Helicopter Rescue emphasizes aerial operations, whereas Search and Rescue Technicians are ground-based responders.

How much do helicopter rescue personnel make?

Helicopter rescue personnel, such as rescue pilots and crew members, typically earn between $40,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer. Advanced certifications and specialized skills can lead to higher salaries, especially in emergency response or military settings.

What qualifications do you need to work on helicopter rescues?

To work in helicopter rescue, candidates typically need emergency medical training such as EMT or paramedic certification, along with specialized rescue training. Pilots require a commercial helicopter pilot license, and rescue personnel often need physical fitness, strong teamwork skills, and experience in high-stress environments.
More about Helicopter Rescue jobs

What are popular job titles related to Helicopter Rescue jobs in Colorado?

For Helicopter Rescue jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Helicopter Rescue jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Helicopter Rescue jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Helicopter Rescue jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Helicopter Rescue job openings:

Helicopter Rescue jobs near you
Infographic showing various Helicopter Rescue job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,363 per year, or $48.7 per hour.

Neonatal Flight Nurse

Colorado Springs, CO • On-site

CommonSpirit Health
Health Care and Social Assistance • 10K+ employees

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 541 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

421st of 898 rated healthcare providers

People enjoy working here

Recommended by students

Recommended by parents

Learn more about CommonSpirit Healthexternal

$35.17 - $63.07/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Neonatal Flight Nurse

Partnering for a stronger, healthier world.

At CommonSpirit Health, we believe in the healing power of humanity. We invite you to explore our specialty areas and pursue a career in humankindness.

Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future for all through its integrated health services. As one of the nation's largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, CommonSpirit Health delivers more than 20 million patient encounters annually through more than 2,300 clinics, care sites and 158 hospital-based locations, in addition to its home-based services and virtual care offerings.

The posted compensation range of $35.17 - $63.07 /hour is a reasonable estimate that extends from the lowest to the highest pay CommonSpirit in good faith believes it might pay for this particular job, based on the circumstances at the time of posting. CommonSpirit may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range as permitted by law.

Employment Type: Full Time

Department: Medical Transportation Services

Hours/Pay Period: 72

Weekly Schedule: 3 12 hour shifts per week

Category: Emergency Nursing

Shift: Varies

Job Summary and Responsibilities

Depending on your location, you may be eligible for up to $8,000 in relocation assistance!

Our helicopters and aircrafts serve our Colorado communities and the surrounding Rocky Mountain Region. Flight for Life® Colorado's rigorous training and decades of proven service have made us the air medical program of choice for hospitals, helicopter and aircraft EMS agencies, search and rescue teams, and ski patrols across the regions we serve. When you join our nursing team as a RN Flights - Neonate, you will help advance modern nursing by providing your skills, experience, and commitment to compassionate care. You will also demonstrate your deep commitment to inclusion and a healthier future for all communities. The impact you will make in our faith-based, mission-driven culture presents us the opportunity to cultivate excellence and achieve professional fulfillment united in humankindness.

As a RN Flights - Neonate, you will apply the nursing process to alleviate human suffering and enhance quality of life by combining excellent medical care with appropriate and safe transportation. The RN Flights staff are self-managing individuals who extend hospital resources into the community, are committed to professional growth and participate in regional education.

Job Requirements

In addition to bringing humankindness to the workplace each day, qualified flight nurse candidates will need the following:

Experience Requirements

  • Three (3) years in Level III/IV NICU experience, required
  • Five (5) years combined NICU years, preferred

Education Requirements

  • Associate Degree Nursing, required
  • Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing, required
  • Bachelor Degree Nursing Preferred BSN, preferred

License/Certification Requirements

  • Registered Nurse, required
  • Current state RN license for applicable state of employment or current RN license from a participating state in National Compact Licensure
  • Basic Life Support, required
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Program required upon hire
  • Certified-Neonatal Pediatric Transport required upon hire or within two (2) years of hire/transfer
  • Valid Driver License, required
  • Valid driver's license and ability to pass the annual review of driving record for safe vehicle operations, required
  • Must maintain current on all certifications required by Commission for Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems
  • S.T.A.B.L.E. certificate, preferred

Physical Requirements

  • Heavy Work - (Exert up to 50lbs force occasionally, and/or up to 20lbs frequently, and/or up to 10lbs constantly)

Where You'll Work

Proudly part of CommonSpirit Health, Flight For Life Colorado was the first civilian, hospital-based emergency medical helicopter program in the United States. For over 50 years, we have set the standard for over 300 air medical services worldwide that have modeled our concept. We proudly partner with search and rescue agencies, offering specialized services such as aerial search support and our Avalanche Deployment Program. Our reputation for rigorous training, comprehensive coverage, and proven expertise has made us the air medical program of choice for hospitals, EMS agencies, ski patrols, and rescue teams. With industry leading technology and a highly experienced team, we provide critical care transport across several states in the Rocky Mountain Region, including the Denver Metro area, Summit County, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Durango, northern New Mexico, southeastern Utah, and western Kansas. If you're passionate about delivering life-saving care in dynamic, high-stakes environments, Flight

Unless directed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement, applications for this position will be considered on a rolling basis. CommonSpirit Health cannot anticipate the date by which a successful candidate may be identified.

Nursing excellence starts with you.

Are you a career fit with our CommonSpirit Health culture? To understand how we are structured, we believe in some core philosophies with the following:

We will be stronger together, achieving excellence in all we do, collaborating across the fields and growing our collective knowledge

We will let humankindness guide us as we treat every person with holistic, personalized care for the body, mind and spirit.

We will advance the science and art of nursing as innovative leaders who demonstrate the power of evidence-based, compassionate care. If you believe in working together with humankindness for all to advance the science and art of nursing - then you have found your career fit with us!

"Our hope is that you will always feel inspired, knowing you truly are the heart and soul of CommonSpirit."

– Kathleen D. Sanford, EVP, Chief Nursing Officer

What makes a successful Neonatal Flight Nurse at Mountain Region Ambulatory?

  • Collaborative
  • Compassionate
  • Efficient
  • Good Listener
  • Organized
  • Problem-Solver

This is a snapshot of your potential career path highlights the series of job positions that help you progress towards your goals and objectives. Ultimately, your career path depends on your career values and personal goals.

While you're busy impacting the healthcare industry, we'll take care of you with benefits that may include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid time off, tuition assistance, adoption assistance, and more!

At CommonSpirit Health, we believe investing in our employees lets them know they truly matter. Your Total Rewards package includes compensation, benefits, retirement, wellness, leave, and other programs.

Depending on the position offered, CommonSpirit Health offers a generous benefit package, including but not limited to medical, prescription drug, dental, vision plans, life insurance, paid time off (full-time benefit eligible employees may receive a minimum of 14 paid time off days, including holidays annually), tuition reimbursement, retirement plan benefit(s) including, but not limited to, 401(k), 403(b), and other defined benefits offerings, as may be amended from time to time.

For more information, please visit Total Rewards.

  • Pay and Recognition
  • Balanced Life
  • Well-Being
  • Professional Growth
  • Financial Future
  • Dependent Care

CommonSpirit Health™ is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, parental status, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information about your EEO rights as an applicant, please click here [PDF] .

CommonSpirit Health™ will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b

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