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Helicopter Rescue Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Kern County

Sheriff Aircraft Pilot

Bakersfield, CA · On-site

$93.10K - $115.80K/yr

... rescue, vertical reference operations over mountainous or forested areas, or comparable fire service or military operations. Desired Helicopter Flight Experience: * Certified Flight Instructor with ...

GovernmentJobs.com

Sheriff Aircraft Pilot

Bakersfield, CA · On-site

$93.10K - $115.80K/yr

... rescue, vertical reference operations over mountainous or forested areas, or comparable fire service or military operations. Desired Helicopter Flight Experience: * Certified Flight Instructor with ...

New

Army National Guard Units

$131.84K - $171.40K/yr

... rescue, and Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) operations. May be required to transport ... This announcement is for an AH64E HELICOPTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR/EVALUATOR (Title 32). Applicants ...

US Department of the Army

$131.84K/yr

This announcement is for an AH64E HELICOPTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR/EVALUATOR. Applicants must be ... search and rescue operations or surveillance and reconnaissance. Competent in conducting or ...

Kern County, CA

Sheriff Aircraft Pilot

Bakersfield, CA · On-site

$8.51K - $10.17K/mo

... rescue, vertical reference operations over mountainous or forested areas, or comparable fire service or military operations. Desired Helicopter Flight Experience * Certified Flight Instructor with ...

North Slope Borough

Pilot - Rotational

Barrow, AK · On-site

$43.09/hr

Airplane, helicopter, flight computer, cameras, aircraft instruments, rescue equipment, and emergency medical tools and gear. THE NORTH SLOPE BOROUGH IS AN ALCOHOL AND DRUG FREE WORKPLACE. This ...

Kern County

Sheriff Aircraft Pilot

Bakersfield, CA

$93.10K - $115.80K/yr

... rescue, vertical reference operations over mountainous or forested areas, or comparable fire service or military operations. Desired Helicopter Flight Experience Certified Flight Instructor with ...

US Department of War

Helicopter Pilot

Yakima, WA · On-site

$90.20K - $112.30K/yr

... and rescue (SAR) operations. Serve as Rotary Wing Instructor Pilot to train and evaluate aviators on basic and advanced flight techniques. Serve as Rotary Wing Instrument Flight Examiner to ...

Kern County, CA

Sheriff Aircraft Pilot

Bakersfield, CA · On-site

$93.10K - $115.80K/yr

... rescue, vertical reference operations over mountainous or forested areas, or comparable fire service or military operations. Desired Helicopter Flight Experience * Certified Flight Instructor with ...

Lockheed Martin

Security Rep (EXPAT) (ITALY)

Orlando, FL · On-site

$15.75 - $18.75/hr

This position is located at Aviano AB, Italy and will support Combat Rescue Helicopter training operations. The incumbent will support the first shift. Some travel may be required. Due to mission ...

Army National Guard Units

$131.84K - $171.40K/yr

As a HELICOPTER FLIGHT MAINTENANCE TEST PILOT (MTP) (Title 32) with the Texas Army National Guard ... rescue, and Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) operations. May be required to transport ...

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Helicopter Rescue information

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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.
Sheriff Aircraft Pilot

Sheriff Aircraft Pilot

Kern County

Bakersfield, CA • On-site

$93.10K - $115.80K/yr

Full-time

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

Kern County rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

218th of 642 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

Sheriff Aircraft Pilot

This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time without notice. Examination: Appraisal (Weight 100%) of training, education, experience, interest and personal fitness for the work based on any combination of the following: Investigation, oral exam and rating of application. Applicants must attain at least a 70% score on each phase of the examination process. Minimum Qualifications/Employment Standards:

  • High School Diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent AND the following certifications/licenses:
  • Valid and current FAA Second Class Medical Certificate issued by an authorized medical examiner (AME).
  • Valid California Motor Vehicle Driver's License.

AND

Option I: Required helicopter flight experience:

  • FAA Commercial or Airline Transport Pilot with Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating.
  • Minimum 2000 hours PIC Helicopter flight time
  • Minimum 500 hours in medium (Type 2) turbine powered helicopters.
  • Minimum 500 hours PIC in mountainous terrain, routinely making takeoffs and landings to unimproved landing areas at density altitudes exceeding 4500' MSL.
  • Night Vision Goggle endorsement with a minimum of 200 hours PIC flight time utilizing Night Vision Goggle devices.
  • Minimum 500 hours PIC performing low-level missions in law-enforcement patrol, search and rescue, vertical reference operations over mountainous or forested areas, or comparable fire service or military operations.

Desired Helicopter Flight Experience:

  • Certified Flight Instructor with Rotorcraft-Helicopter endorsement
  • Night Vision Goggle Instructor endorsement
  • Vertical reference and external load operations experience
  • UH-1H or other similar Bell Helicopter

OR

Option II: Required Fixed-Wing experience:

  • FAA Commercial or Airline Transport Pilot with Airplane-Multi Engine Land (AMEL) rating.
  • Airplane Instrument Rating.
  • Minimum 1500 hours PIC Airplane.
  • Minimum 200 hours in PIC Category and Class (ASEL or AMEL).
  • Minimum 100 hours of PIC night flight time.
  • Minimum 75 hours of PIC flight time solely by reference to instruments (actual/simulated).

Desired Fixed-Wing Experience:

  • Certified Flight Instructor Airplane
  • Instrument Flight Instructor Airplane (CFII)
  • Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI)

Physical Standards:

Physical Examination: In addition to requiring a Class II Medical Certificate, a rigid medical examination by the County Physician is required. The examination includes spine and chest x-rays, blood chemistry and electro-cardiograph tests. Weight must be proportionate to height and age.

Vision: 20-100 uncorrected in each eye, corrected to 20-20, no color deficiency. No permanent or progressive eye abnormalities.

Hearing: No hearing deficiency.

Character: Applicants must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. Felony law violations will be disqualifying, and, except for a limited number of traffic offenses, misdemeanor offenses may be disqualifying.

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