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Helicopter Rescue Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Aurora, CO

HELICOPTER PILOT - As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy ...

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Colorado Springs, CO

HELICOPTER PILOT - As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy ...

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Greeley, CO · On-site

HELICOPTER PILOT - As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy ...

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Fort Collins, CO

HELICOPTER PILOT - As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy ...

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Denver, CO

HELICOPTER PILOT - As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy ...

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Thornton, CO

HELICOPTER PILOT - As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy ...

CommonSpirit Health

RN Flights

Denver, CO

$36.22 - $64.96/hr

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 ...

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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 Jun 11, 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 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 Are Helicopter Rescue Jobs?

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 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.

What are helicopter rescue workers?

Helicopter rescue workers are trained professionals who use helicopters to perform emergency rescue operations, often in hard-to-reach or dangerous locations. They may be paramedics, pilots, or specialized crew members responsible for reaching people in distress, such as those stranded by natural disasters, accidents, or medical emergencies. Their duties include flying to the scene, providing medical care, and safely transporting individuals to safety or medical facilities. These workers undergo rigorous training in both aviation and emergency response to handle a wide range of challenging scenarios. Helicopter rescue missions are critical for saving lives when traditional ground-based rescues are not possible.

Is 30 too old to become a helicopter pilot?

Helicopter rescue pilots can typically start training at age 18 and there is no strict upper age limit, as long as candidates meet medical and physical requirements. Many pilots begin their careers later in life, and experience, skills, and certifications are often more important than age. Age may influence training duration or physical fitness assessments but does not generally disqualify someone at age 30 from becoming a helicopter rescue pilot.

How much does a rescue helicopter make?

A helicopter rescue pilot or crew member's salary typically ranges from $50,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer. Specialized skills, certifications, and working in emergency response environments can influence compensation levels.

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

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.

How to become a helicopter rescue crewman?

To become a helicopter rescue crewman, candidates typically need a background in emergency services, such as paramedics, firefighters, or military personnel, along with specialized training in helicopter operations and rescue techniques. Certifications like CPR, first aid, and sometimes aviation safety are required, and physical fitness is essential due to the demanding nature of the job. Experience in high-stress environments and familiarity with rescue equipment are also important for this role.

How long does it take to get 1500 hours in a helicopter?

For helicopter rescue pilots, accumulating 1500 flight hours typically takes about 1 to 2 years, depending on flight schedules and training programs. Many rescue operations require additional certifications and experience, which can extend the time needed to reach this milestone.
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Helicopter Rescue jobs near you
Infographic showing various Helicopter Rescue job openings in Colorado as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $101,363 per year, or $48.7 per hour.

Paramedic FFL Critical Care Transport

Mountain Region Ambulatory

Fort Morgan, CO • On-site

$27.16 - $45.73/hr

Other

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

Job description

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.
Job Summary and Responsibilities
You have a purpose, unique talents and now is the time to embrace it, live it and put it to work. We value incredible people with incredible skills - but your commitment to a greater cause is something we value even more. This is the heartbeat of our organization and your time will be spent in a supportive, team environment with resources to help you flourish and leaders who care about your success.
As a member of the Flight Crew, assists in meeting the physical and emotional needs of critically ill and injured patients. Promotes safe and efficient operation of Flight For Life.
Job Requirements
In addition to bringing humankindness to the workplace each day, qualified candidates will need the following:
Education Requirements
  • High School Diploma/G.E.D.

Minimum Experience Requirements
  • 3 years or 4,000 hours experience as a Paramedic provider in 911 ALS or critical care transport, (ground or air) or 4,000 hours of critical care experience in-hospital required

License/Certifications Requirement
  • Colorado State Paramedic Certification required and National Registry as a paramedic. Must maintain currency in all certifications required by CAMTS, (Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems)
  • BLS, (Basic Life Support), ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certificate); PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification) or within 6 months of hire/transfer date
  • TPATC (Transport Professional Advanced Trauma Course) or ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) within 12 months of hire/transfer date
  • NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) within 12 months of hire/transfer date
  • FP-C (Certified Flight Paramedic) Within 2 years of hire/transfer date and Valid Driver's License and pass the annual Pre Check review of driving record for safe vehicle operations job

Physical Requirements - Medium Work - exert/lift up to 50 lbs. force occasionally, and/or up to 20 lbs. frequently, and/or up to 10

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