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Helicopter Rescue Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Army National Guard Units

$131.84K - $171.40K/yr

Cargo Helicopter (CH-47); Utility Helicopter (UH-60 series), (LUH-72 series) and others when ... rescue, and Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) operations. May be required to transport ...

ClearanceJobs

Helicopter Pilot Jobs

Yakima, WA

$90.20K - $112.30K/yr

... rescue (SAR) operations. Serve as Rotary Wing Instructor Pilot to train and evaluate aviators on ... Heavy Helicopter 500 hours; Instrument 75 hours. Please review the OPM qualification standard for ...

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$59.5K

$96.4K

$102.5K

How much do helicopter rescue jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for helicopter rescue in the United States is $96,397.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,500.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

More about Helicopter Rescue jobs
What cities are hiring for Helicopter Rescue jobs? Cities with the most Helicopter Rescue job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Helicopter Rescue jobs? The most popular types of Helicopter Rescue jobs are:
What states have the most Helicopter Rescue jobs? States with the most job openings for Helicopter Rescue jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Helicopter Rescue jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Helicopter Rescue jobs are:
Helicopter Rescue jobs near you
Infographic showing various Helicopter Rescue job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 58% Full Time, and 42% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $96,397 per year, or $46.3 per hour.
Helicopter Pilot (Instructor) (TH-1H)

Helicopter Pilot (Instructor) (TH-1H)

Pae

Fort Novosel, AL

$55.85/hr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Amentum is currently accepting applications for the position of INSTRUCTOR PILOT (TH-1H) at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Applicants selected for hire will provide instruction in the TH-1H. USAF military aviation experience is required.

FLYING VERTICAL-LIFT REQUIRES special skills and rigorous training. The men and women of the US Air Force vertical-lift community are called upon day or night to fly difficult missions, often under challenging conditions. USAF vertical-lift carries out their missions in the world's most sophisticated Combat Rescue, Special Operations and Global Strike aircraft, from the MH-139 Grey Wolf to the CV-22 Osprey. All of them start their flying careers at USAF's premier helicopter flying training unit, the 23d Flying Training Squadron (FTS) at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Amentum Air Force Division is an integrated partner with the 23 FTS, instructing flight students in academics, simulations, and flight training for contact, instruments, and remote operations in the TH-1H Huey II helicopter.

Safety is paramount in every aspect of the training, and the program boasts an unprecedented safety record.

The training program occurs at an Army installation and is managed as a partnership between the Air Force, the Army and Amentum. It is just one of many instances where the Department of Defense has outsourced mission-critical technical and management assignments to Amentum. As one of the nation's leading multi-service contractors, Amentum proudly works in tandem with the armed forces to protect American interests at home and abroad.

Requirements

  • Shall have previously qualified as a U.S. Air Force helicopter instructor pilot. (CV-22 pilots who attended SUPT-H or UHT qualify).

  • Shall have been current in U.S. DOD military aircraft within the previous 4 years or within the previous 6 years if the candidate has performed 11 years of DOD military operational flying duty.

  • Shall have 1,000 hours of total DOD military helicopter time.

  • Shall have 200 hours of DOD military helicopter instructor time.

  • Shall have a working knowledge with all USAF flight regulations.

  • Must have a current FAA Second Class Medical Certificate prior to beginning PIT training.

  • Must not exceed 250 pounds in flight duty uniform.

  • Must be able to successfully pass a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI),

  • To be considered for this position, candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States and be able to provide proof of such authorization.

IMPORTANT

Applicants for employment are subject to Government approval and the terms of a 12-month Employee Training Agreement. Applicants selected for hire will be required to pass and maintain a U.S. Government background security check. Applicants selected for hire must complete training and a government acceptance checkride

Compensation Details:

$55.85

Original Posting:

06/02/2026 - Until Filled

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language atLabor Laws Posters.

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