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Helicopter Rescue Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aviation - Officer Careers - VA, DC, MD

Roanoke, VA · On-site

$87K - $109K/yr

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 ...

Aviation - Officer Careers - VA, DC, MD

Amherst, VA · On-site

$83K - $103K/yr

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 ...

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Showing results 1-20

Helicopter Rescue information

See salary details

$59.5K

$96.4K

$102.5K

How much do helicopter rescue jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 1, 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 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.

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 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:
Infographic showing various Helicopter Rescue job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,397 per year, or $46.3 per hour.
HELICOPTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR/EVALUATOR with Security Clearance

HELICOPTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR/EVALUATOR with Security Clearance

Department of the Army

Delaware Water Gap, PA • On-site

$90K - $112K/yr

Other

Retirement

Posted 6 days ago


United States Army rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 481 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 46 rated military and defense


Job description

Duties As a HELICOPTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, GS-2181-13, you will perform preflight weather analysis, route and altitude selections, alternate airport selection, fuel, cargo and passenger load computations, selection of refueling stops, preflight inspections, flight plan filing, and firing ranges route planning/coordination. Serve as rotary wing Unit Trainer/Evaluator (UT/E) or Instructor Pilot (IP): Train and evaluate aviators on basic and advanced flight techniques. Perform one or more of the following major functional duties: Serve as rotary wing Instrument Flight Examiner (IE): Conduct instrument flight qualifications and training which includes, instrument flight planning, precision handling and maneuvering of the aircraft, navigation using the aircraft navigation instruments and systems, air traffic control operations, approach, departure, and holding procedures, and use of the ILS.

Serve as rotary wing Standardization Instructor Pilot (SIP): Trains and evaluates IP's and provides technical supervision of the standardization program. Serve are Maintenance Test Pilot Examiner (ME)/Functional Check Pilot (FCP) Evaluator: Serves as rotary wing Maintenance Test Pilot Examiner/Function Check Pilot Evaluator. Serve as Aviation Safety Officer (ASO): Serve as an Aviation Safety Officer (ASO) carrying out a variety of duties to provide a productive aviation safety program for the Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot (AVCRAD) or any Army Aviation Facility.

Serve as rotary wing Maintenance Test Pilot (MTP) and/or Functional Check Pilot (FCP). Serve as Aviation Mission Survivability Officer: Serve as an Aviation Mission Survivability Officer (AMSO) Tactical Operations (TACOPS) Officer. Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements Conditions of employment * NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact a National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position. * This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the employing state's National Guard, required prior to the effective date of placement.

* Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform. * Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment. * Applicants who are not currently a member of the National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership and employment in the National Guard in the military grade listed in this announcement.

* Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service. * Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation. * May be required to successfully complete a trial period.

* Participation in direct deposit is mandatory. Qualifications APPOINTMENT STATUS: EXCEPTED This is a Dual Status Excepted Service Technician position in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Non-Bargaining Position AOC 1: NG Employees at the Army Aviation Support Facility 1 AOC 2: NG employees in the State Army Aviation Office (This includes AASF 1, AASF 2, and EAATS) AOC 3: NG Employees of the Pennsylvania National Guard AOC 4: All service members of the Pennsylvania National Guard (This includes M-Day Soldiers, Temporary Technicians and AGR Personnel) AOC 5: Individuals who are currently serving in another branch of service who are willing to become members of the PANG Military Grades: WARRANT OFFICER CW2-CW4 Supervisor for this position is LTC Lipsett, Rory *NOTE: Accessioning into this position is contingent upon verification of Secret Security Clearance GENERAL EXPERIENCE : Eligibility requirements for Dual Status technician positions in this occupation are based on the candidate's possession of Federal Aviation Administration pilot certificates -OR- appropriate military certifications, military ratings in the main-frame military aircraft of employment, and the required competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities).

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE : Application must indicate working experiences in civilian aviation programs; or, in military service aviation programs (active duty or reserve components); or, in the Army National Guard Aviation Support facilities; or, in Air National Guard Wing/ Operations Groups. Application must demonstrate at least two years specialized competencies in operating a specific main-frame military aircraft, mission planning, and mission preparation. Experience in reviewing and analyzing mission tasking, intelligence, and weather information.

Experience in filing flight plans and conducting crew briefings. Experience in aircraft preflight inspections, aircraft loading, and equipment assessments. Experience in performing or supervising work procedures involved in navigation, in-flight refueling, search and rescue operations or surveillance and reconnaissance.

Experience in developing plans and policies, monitoring operations, and advising commanders. Experience in the unit flying, explosive, and ground safety programs in accordance with Department of Defense, Department of the Army, National Guard Bureau, and/or Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies, regulations, and directives. QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE: Length of time is not of itself qualifying.

Candidates' experience should be evaluated on the basis of duties performed rather than strictly on the rank of the individual; however, established compatibility criteria/assignments must be followed. The applicant's record of experience, training, and education must show possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to fully perform the duties of the position to be filled. SPECIAL NOTE: Per the Merit Promotion and Placement Plan (MPP) if there are more than 15 qualified applicants for each position, by category, a KSA board will be convened in accordance with Chapter 4 of the MPP.

PCS STATEMENT: PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION COSTS WILL NOT BE PAID FOR THIS POSITION. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is a diverse team of professionals who strengthen our commonwealth by serving our veterans and partners while preparing military personnel to safeguard our way of life. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.

Education An undergraduate degree from an accredited college/university is optimum. Must have Federal Aviation Administration certifications awarded from accredited civilian aviation programs or must have aviation certifications from accredited military aviation schools. Additional information If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency ( ).

REPROMOTION CONSIDERATION (Applies to technician applicants only.) Technicians who have been demoted from this or a higher grade previously held in the same occupational series without personal cause and who are not in a grade retention status will be given consideration for re-promotion. Technicians who believe they are entitled to such consideration should forward a description of the circumstances with their application. Technicians eligible for re-promotion will be considered prior to using competitive promotion procedures, except when another technician has a statutory or regulatory right to be placed in or considered for the position.

In accordance with section 9902(h) of title 5, United States Code, annuitants reemployed in the Department of Defense shall receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They shall not be eligible for retirement contributions, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, or a supplemental or redetermined annuity for the employment period. Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e., retired under section 8336(d)(1) or 8414(b)(1)(A) of title 5 United States Code) appointed to the Department of Defense may elect to be subject to retirement provisions of the new appointment as appropriate.

(See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, at .)"


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National security, health care and social assistance, national security and international affairs and public administration

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