ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Life Flight Pilot Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Life Link III

Rotor Wing Pilot

Hibbing, MN · On-site

$54.06 - $74.83/hr

As a Rotor Wing Pilot at Life Link III, you'll be part of an elite air medical team, flying ... Actively shares flight knowledge with team members and serves as a resource to discuss transport ...

Life Link III

Rotor Wing Pilot

Alexandria, MN · On-site

$54.06 - $74.83/hr

As a Rotor Wing Pilot at Life Link III, you'll be part of an elite air medical team, flying ... Actively shares flight knowledge with team members and serves as a resource to discuss transport ...

Life Link III

Flight Paramedic

Detroit Lakes, MN

$34.15 - $46.72/hr

As a Critical Care Flight Paramedic at Life Link III, you'll join an elite team of flight nurses and pilots, delivering advanced life-saving care with top-of-the-line equipment in air medical ...

Life Link III

Flight Paramedic

Hibbing, MN · On-site

$34.15 - $46.72/hr

As a Critical Care Flight Paramedic at Life Link III, you'll join an elite team of flight nurses and pilots, delivering advanced life-saving care with top-of-the-line equipment in air medical ...

US Navy

Naval Flight Officer and Pilot

Warren, MN

... from civilian life. Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or ... Pilots and Naval Flight Officers. Strong academic performance, especially in technical or ...

US Navy

Naval Flight Officer and Pilot

Dayton, MN

... from civilian life. Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or ... Pilots and Naval Flight Officers. Strong academic performance, especially in technical or ...

US Navy

Naval Flight Officer and Pilot

Albany, MN

... from civilian life. Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or ... Pilots and Naval Flight Officers. Strong academic performance, especially in technical or ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsLife Flight Pilot JobsLife Flight Pilot Jobs in Minnesota

Life Flight Pilot information

See Minnesota salary details

$47K

$85.3K

$130.3K

How much do life flight pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for life flight pilot in Minnesota is $85,350.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,500.00 and $99,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a life flight pilot?

Life Flight Pilots are specially trained helicopter or airplane pilots who transport critically ill or injured patients to medical facilities as quickly and safely as possible. They work as part of an air medical team and must have advanced flying skills, as well as the ability to operate under pressure in emergency situations. Life Flight Pilots often collaborate closely with paramedics, nurses, and doctors during patient transport. Their role is vital in saving lives, especially in cases where ground transportation would take too long or is inaccessible.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a life flight pilot?

To thrive as a Life Flight Pilot, you need an FAA commercial or ATP pilot license, extensive flight hours (often 2,000+), and specialized training in helicopter or fixed-wing aeromedical operations. Familiarity with advanced avionics, GPS navigation systems, and night vision equipment is typically required, along with certifications such as Instrument Rating and potentially NVG (Night Vision Goggle) endorsement. Excellent situational awareness, decision-making under pressure, and strong communication skills are crucial for effectively handling emergencies and coordinating with medical teams. These competencies ensure the safe, timely, and efficient transportation of critically ill or injured patients in high-stakes situations.

What are some common challenges life flight pilots face during emergency medical missions?

Life Flight Pilots often encounter challenging flight conditions, such as bad weather, night-time operations, and landing in unfamiliar or restricted areas. They must remain calm under pressure while coordinating closely with medical crews and air traffic control to ensure patient and crew safety. Additionally, responding to urgent calls requires adaptability and quick decision-making, as every mission can differ greatly in terms of location, patient needs, and logistical constraints.

What is the difference between Life Flight Pilot vs Helicopter Pilot?

AspectLife Flight PilotHelicopter Pilot
CertificationsCommercial Pilot License, Medical Certificate, sometimes additional rotorcraft ratingsCommercial Pilot License, Medical Certificate, rotorcraft ratings
Work EnvironmentEmergency medical flights, hospitals, accident scenesVaried, including transportation, construction, tourism, and emergency services
Employer & IndustryAir ambulance services, hospitals, emergency response agenciesAirlines, private companies, government agencies, emergency services

While both roles require similar certifications and involve flying helicopters, Life Flight Pilots specifically operate in emergency medical and rescue settings, often under urgent conditions. Helicopter Pilots have a broader range of industries and environments, including commercial and private operations. The key difference lies in the specialized medical emergency focus of Life Flight Pilots versus the diverse applications of Helicopter Pilots.

How hard is it to be a life flight pilot?

Becoming a life flight pilot requires extensive training, including obtaining a commercial pilot license, flight hours, and specialized certifications such as instrument and multi-engine ratings. The job demands high levels of skill, quick decision-making, and the ability to operate in challenging environments, often under stressful conditions. It typically involves years of experience in aviation before qualifying for this role.

How much do life flight pilots make?

Life flight pilots typically earn between $70,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and location. Salaries can be higher for pilots with advanced training, such as instrument or commercial ratings, and those working in high-demand regions or for specialized medical transport services.

How to get a job as a Life Flight Pilot?

To become a Life Flight Pilot, candidates typically need a commercial pilot license with rotorcraft or fixed-wing ratings, extensive flight hours, and experience in emergency or medical transport operations. Additional certifications such as an instrument rating and specialized training in aeromedical services are often required, along with strong communication and decision-making skills. Employers also look for experience in high-pressure environments and a clean flying record.

What are popular job titles related to Life Flight Pilot jobs in Minnesota?

For Life Flight Pilot jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Life Flight Pilot jobs in Minnesota look for?

The top searched job categories for Life Flight Pilot jobs in Minnesota are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Life Flight Pilot jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Life Flight Pilot job openings:

Life Flight Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Life Flight Pilot job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $85,350 per year, or $41 per hour.

Engineering Flight Test Pilot Principal

Duluth, MN • On-site

Cirrus Aircraft
Aviation • 1 - 5K employees

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 54 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

26th of 72 rated aerospace companies

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Paid breaks

Learn more about Cirrus Aircraftexternal

$170K - $255K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

The Flight Test Pilot, Principalis a senior technical role responsible for the strategic planning, execution,and analysis of flight test programs for complex aerospace vehicles andsystems. This position involves high-level coordination, ensuring regulatorycompliance, leading large-scale testing efforts, and contributing to thecontinuous improvement of testing methodologies. As a key technical authority,the Flight Test Pilot Principle plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success ofcritical flight test operations. This role requires expertise inexperimental flight testing to support aircraft development and regulatorycompliance.
  • Acts as the Platform Lead Flight Test Pilot and provides technical oversight of all platform flight test projects.
  • Maintain a high level of pilot proficiency in both jet and propeller aircraft models.
  • Safely conduct experimental flight tests for aircraft development and certification projects.
  • Leads the planning and execution of multi-faceted flight test programs, including defining objectives, testing requirements, success criteria, and timelines.
  • Collaborate with senior management, project teams, and regulatory bodies to ensure test activities align with corporate goals and safety standards.
  • Serve as the primary pilot authority during test operations, providing technical guidance, monitoring test data, and making in the-moment adjustments to ensure data accuracy and safety.
  • Act as a liaison between the Engineering Flight Test team, engineers, and other support teams to facilitate effective communication and decision-making during testing.
  • Address complex technical challenges in real time, utilizing advanced problem-solving skills to adapt and respond to dynamic testing conditions.
  • Participate in test safety review process to ensure tests are conducted safely and appropriate safety mitigations are in place before flight.
  • Generate detailed technical reports that highlight test results, identify variances, and offer actionable insights for design refinement or procedural adjustments.
  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve safety protocols and risk assessment procedures for all test activities.
  • Collaborate with safety officers and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with industry standards and mitigate potential risks.
  • Foster a culture of safety and continuous improvement, conducting thorough reviews of test procedures and outcomes to minimize risks.
  • Provide training and development opportunities for team members, helping to advance their technical skills and industry knowledge.
  • Work with engineering, design, manufacturing, and regulatory teams to align testing requirements and ensure consistency with project objectives.
  • Act as a pilot subject matter expert, providing insights and recommendations to cross-functional teams and senior management.
  • Participate in strategic planning discussions to improve test efficiency, data accuracy, and test program success.
  • Perform other departmental duties as assigned.

  • Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
  • 10+ years experimental flight test experience.
  • 7 years flight test pilot experience.
  • Pilot Experience 1500 hours total, 500 hours turbine, 100 hours in the last 12 months.
  • Previous turbojet type rating preferred.
  • Experience with FAA/TCCA/EASA Certification programs preferred.
  • Graduate of an accredited test pilot school long course or equivalent flight test pilot experience.
  • FAA DER/UM/ODA Flight Test Pilot experience preferred.
  • Knowledgeable in flight dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion systems, avionics, and aircraft systems.
  • Comprehensive understanding of industry regulations and standards (e.g., FAA, EASA, MIL-STD) and safety protocols.
  • Experience in risk management and mitigation strategies for flight test programs.
  • Proven leadership skills leading cross-functional test teams.
  • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Ability to maintain flexibility and a positive attitude and flexibility in dynamic test program environment.

Our Benefits: Cirrus provides a range of exciting benefits, including:

  • Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, vision, dental, with additional dependent coverage options
  • Employer-Paid Coverages: Group term life, short- and long-term disability insurance
  • Flexible Spending Accounts: FSA and HSA offerings with company contributions to HSA
  • Well-being: Calm Health, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness incentives through medical provider
  • 401(k) Plan: Dollar-for-dollar match up to 5% after 90 days, with 100% vesting at 1 year of service
  • PTO: Various PTO plans starting at 100 hours accrued within the first year
  • Additional Time off Benefits: Paid holidays, 2 weeks of Paid Parental leave, paid time for funeral leave and jury duty
  • Career Development: Tuition reimbursement program and professional growth opportunities
  • Exclusive Discounts: Cirrus Store, partner and marketplace discounts available
  • Community & Engagement: Company and employee clubs at various locations


These benefits are designed to support your well-being, growth, and enjoyment at Cirrus!


Salary Range: USD $170,145.26/Yr. - USD $255,217.88/Yr.

What Cirrus Aircraft employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply