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Jump Pilot Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

When operational need arises and/or a spot opens, you will be the first to upgrade and jump into ... Valid FAA Pilot Certificate appropriate to the aircraft and operating position held. * Current and ...

Jump Pilot information

See Arizona salary details

$46.1K

$122K

$187.3K

How much do jump pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for jump pilot in Arizona is $121,999.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,200.00 and $144,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a jump pilot, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Jump Pilot, you need a commercial pilot’s license, strong airmanship, and experience flying aircraft used in skydiving operations. Familiarity with jump aircraft such as Cessna Caravans, proficiency in weight and balance calculations, and a current FAA medical certificate are commonly required. Excellent communication, situational awareness, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are vital soft skills. These competencies ensure the safety of both skydivers and crew, efficient flight operations, and effective coordination during high-adrenaline situations.

What is the difference between Jump Pilot vs Skydiving Instructor?

AspectJump PilotSkydiving Instructor
Required CertificationsCommercial Pilot Certificate, specific jump pilot ratingsUSPA Instructor Certification, skydiving licenses
Work EnvironmentAircraft cockpit, jump aircraft, airportsDrop zones, aircraft, training facilities
Employer & Industry UsageSkydiving companies, adventure sports operatorsSkydiving centers, adventure sports industry

Jump Pilots operate aircraft to transport skydivers and ensure safe jumps, requiring pilot certifications. Skydiving Instructors train and certify skydivers, focusing on safety and technique. While both roles are integral to the skydiving industry, Jump Pilots focus on flying, whereas Skydiving Instructors focus on training and safety instruction.

What is a jump pilot?

Jump pilots are specially trained pilots responsible for flying aircraft that carry skydivers to altitude for parachute jumps. Their primary duties include maintaining flight safety, following precise flight patterns to designated drop zones, and communicating effectively with drop zone operators and jumpers. Jump pilots often work at skydiving centers and must be skilled at handling planes during short takeoffs, landings, and high-density operations. They play a crucial role in the safety and success of skydiving operations.

What are some common challenges faced by jump pilots during busy skydiving operations?

Jump pilots often contend with tight turnaround times, rapidly changing weather conditions, and the need for precise coordination with ground crew and skydivers. Maintaining situational awareness is critical, especially when flying multiple loads in succession and operating out of smaller airfields. Additionally, jump pilots must be adept at handling unexpected situations, such as last-minute changes in jump runs or emergency procedures, while ensuring the safety of both passengers and aircraft.

What does a jump pilot do?

Jump pilots fly aircraft for skydivers. In this role, you prepare the plane for each flight, monitor conditions in the air, and ensure the jumpers are secure and ready to dive out of the plane. Unlike commercial airline pilots, jump pilots make many flights each day, taking off and landing every fifteen to twenty minutes during their shift. You must communicate with air traffic controllers throughout the trip, make sure that the passengers are ready for the skydive, and notify them as you approach the drop zone. Jump pilots also relay any necessary information about wind, jump timing, and other factors that may affect the jump.

What are the most commonly searched types of Jump Pilot jobs in Arizona? The most popular types of Jump Pilot jobs in Arizona are:
What cities in Arizona are hiring for Jump Pilot jobs? Cities in Arizona with the most Jump Pilot job openings:
Infographic showing various Jump Pilot job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 75% Physical, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,999 per year, or $58.7 per hour.

AVIATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST T32

Air National Guard Units

Phoenix, AZ • On-site, Remote

$64K - $83K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Air National Guard rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

Summary
THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.
This National Guard position is for a AVIATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST T32, PDD2934000 and is part of the AZ 161st Air Refueling Wing, National Guard.
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Duties
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This position is located at the 161st ARW. The primary purpose of this position is to plan, analyze, manage and control all operational &administrative aspects of aviation resources, safety, training, and flight hours by utilizing the Aviation Resource Management System (ARMS).
Duties (Condensed):
1.Serves as a management analyst with responsibility to advise and correct all operational and administrative aspects of the Aviation Resource Management System. Maintains, controls, and assigns security levels to users to ensure security of the database. Develops and implements unique applications programs using base-level computers to meet the specific needs of the unit. Designs, develops, and modifies reports using System Query Language (SQL) and ad hoc queries to provide leadership with data retrieved through selective manipulation of the database. Analyzes management report products to determine program adequacy and accuracy, trends, and recommends corrective actions as required. Communicates with ARMS Working Group (AWG) and Air Force Major Command points of contact regarding ARMS updates for issues or desired changes to the system and to ensure ANG use of the ARMS program is compatible with the Air Force standards, i.e., aviation objectives, policies, plans, and concepts. Ensures all Standard Systems Group modifications and changes are implemented in ARMS to comply with the base-level requirements. Maintains liaison with Local Area Network managers to ensure the proper use of computer systems. Writes and submits data automation enhancement, system maintenance, and deficiency reports to appropriate organization or agency. User administrator for 5 additional computer systems that interface with the aviation resource management system.
2. Develops and executes procedures for the completion of annual flight physicals and receipt of documentation medically clearing crewmembers for flight status. Researches, validates, and interprets Air Force Instruction (AFI) Mission Design Series (MDS), specific medical and physiological requirements and flying and ground training requirements; and compares with higher headquarters mission training requirements. Translates these requirements into aircrew training tables, profiles, reports, and utilizes products to brief aircrew, senior leadership, training coordinators, commanders, and outside sources to include Numbered Air Force (NAF), Major Commands (MAJCOM), and Headquarters (HQ) U.S. Air Force (USAF) to show training requirements, overall training objectives, and accomplishments.
3. Interprets and administers laws and regulations regarding entitlement incentive pay. Sole base-level approval authority determining entitlement to millions of dollars in aircrew incentive pay. Researches, interprets, analyzes and applies Department of Defense, Air Force, Air National Guard, and Wing guidelines, policies, and regulations including Aviation Management regulations, the Aviation Career Incentive Act (ACIA) of 1989, The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 1996, Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996, and the NDAA of 2000. Applies complex flight/jump pay rules and determines eligibility and entitlement to Aviation Incentive Pay (AvIP), Critical Skill Incentive Pay (CSIP), Special Warfare Airmen Skill incentive Pay (SWSIP), Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP), and EARI (Aviation bonus Pay). Analyzes the flight pay control Document/jump pay control document to update monthly entitlements to receive provisional AvIP, CSIP, or HDIP.
4. Execute career field development responsibilities. Create and assign ARMS roles necessary to carry out 1C0X2 duty position requirements. Ensures deployment readiness for personnel. Self-inspections, rotation of positions (Training office, Stan/Eval, Current Ops, Scheduling). Periodically reviews position descriptions to ensure accuracy, and the most effective utilization of personnel resources. Performs self-inspections on assigned programs and presents detailed and comprehensive report with any corrective action. Establishes and maintains office files (both paper and electronic) adapted to the needs of the office and maintains a reference index of all files. Monitors/analyzes and evaluates work relative to development and/or execution phases of the records management. Interprets records management policies and procedure and assures conformance to the rules, regulations, and policies of the National Archives and Records Administration, Records Management and Declassification Agency, Department of Defense and Department of the Air Force for all records maintained by the HARM. Ensures required documentation is preserved, and that all other information is retained, reviewed, and disposed of systematically.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • ARIZONA AIR NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. Prior to appointment into this position, selectee must be a current member of the Arizona Air National Guard, in a military position assigned to 161st ARW.
  • 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.
  • Incumbent must possess and maintain a current state driver's license.
  • Must maintain the required secret security clearance.
  • May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime or comp time may be required.
  • May be required to travel by car, in military and/or commercial aircraft, and by other means of transportation as appropriate to perform temporary duty assignments.
  • This position will require additional training in the following courses: Squadron Aviation Resource Management Course, Host Aviation Resource Management Course, (cont.)
  • Aviation Resource Management Report and Design Analysis Course, Air National Guard Aviation Resource Management Senior Enlisted Course.
  • This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The employee is subject to random drug testing. Preemployment drug testing and participation in random drug testing is a condition of employment.
  • Note: The caveat is that the states, territories, and the district cannot drug test until a drug free workplace policy has been established and approved by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Qualifications
Military Grades: E4/SrA - E6/TSgt
Compatible Military Assignments: Possess AFSC 1C032, 1C052, 1C072
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
Must possess 1 year specialized experience, education or training equivalent to at least the next lower grade level . Applicants must have experience providing technical guidance and assistance in the type of work or incomparable work of the position to be filled. Applicants must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of administrative procedures and practices of management. Experience developing administrative procedures.
[See Duties Above]
Education
You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims. To receive credit for Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Education requirements for this position.
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 (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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