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National Guard Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$30.17 - $37.29/hr

NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQURED- If you are not currently a member of any military service ... Accompanies pilot during flights to locate discrepancies that are not evident during ground ...

$93K - $122K/yr

This National Guard position is for a AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST (TERMINAL) (ACCELERATED HIRE ... Experience in issuing control instructions and advice to pilots in the vicinity of airports to ...

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National Guard Pilot information

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$49.5K

$130.9K

$201K

How much do national guard pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for national guard pilot in the United States is $130,916.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some unique challenges National Guard pilots face compared to civilian pilots?

National Guard Pilots often balance their military responsibilities with civilian careers, which can lead to unique scheduling and time-management challenges. They may be called upon for sudden deployments or emergency missions, requiring adaptability and readiness to shift priorities quickly. Additionally, National Guard Pilots frequently operate in diverse environments, from domestic disaster relief to overseas operations, which demands a high level of flexibility and resilience. The need to maintain proficiency in both military and, often, civilian flight operations also requires ongoing training and commitment.

How much do National Guard pilots get paid?

National Guard pilots are typically paid based on their rank, experience, and flight hours, with annual salaries ranging from approximately $50,000 to over $100,000. They also receive additional benefits such as allowances, bonuses, and retirement options, and must maintain certifications and training to stay current.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a National Guard pilot?

To thrive as a National Guard Pilot, you need a strong background in aviation, excellent hand-eye coordination, and completion of military flight training, along with a bachelor's degree and officer commissioning. Familiarity with advanced avionics, navigation systems, and aircraft-specific simulators is essential, as is maintaining required flight certifications and medical clearances. Leadership, adaptability, and clear communication are standout soft skills for managing high-pressure missions and working effectively within a team. These abilities are vital to ensure mission success, safety, and seamless coordination during both routine and emergency operations.

What is a National Guard pilot?

National Guard pilots are highly trained military aviators who serve part-time in the Air National Guard or Army National Guard, flying aircraft such as fighter jets, helicopters, or transport planes. In addition to their flying duties, they often participate in training exercises, disaster response, and homeland defense missions. Many National Guard pilots also maintain civilian careers, balancing their service commitments with their personal and professional lives. They play a critical role in both state and federal missions, supporting local communities and national security.

What is the difference between National Guard Pilot vs Army Pilot?

AspectNational Guard PilotArmy Pilot
Required CertificationsFAA pilot license, military flight trainingFAA pilot license, military flight training
Work EnvironmentNational Guard bases, military aircraftArmy bases, military aircraft
Employer & IndustryU.S. National Guard, military aviationU.S. Army, military aviation

Both roles require similar certifications and military flight training, with work environments centered around military bases. The main difference lies in their employer and operational focus: National Guard Pilots serve part-time in the National Guard, often balancing civilian careers, while Army Pilots are full-time military personnel within the U.S. Army. Understanding these distinctions helps aspiring pilots choose the right career path in military aviation.

Is it hard to become a National Guard pilot?

Becoming a National Guard pilot requires meeting specific eligibility criteria, completing rigorous training, and obtaining necessary certifications such as a private pilot license and military flight training. The process is competitive and demanding, often involving physical fitness, academic requirements, and a strong commitment to service.
More about National Guard Pilot jobs
What cities are hiring for National Guard Pilot jobs? Cities with the most National Guard Pilot job openings:
What states have the most National Guard Pilot jobs? States with the most job openings for National Guard Pilot jobs include:
Infographic showing various National Guard Pilot job openings in the United States 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 $130,916 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

HELICOPTER PILOT (ACCELERATED HIRE)

US Department of the Army

Sacramento, CA • On-site

$129K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago


United States Army rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 488 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

45th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

This HELICOPTER PILOT (ACCELERATED HIRE) position, is eligible to be used at an Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot (AVCRAD) or any Army Aviation Facility where the requirement is deemed appropriate by the Facility Supervisor/State Army Aviation Officerand is part of the CA 1106 TASMG.

Qualifications:General Experience: Minimum of one year on-the-job experience in the grade (or a comparable military rank) immediately below the next higher level; Have working experiences in civilian aviation programs; or, military service aviation programs (active duty or reserve components); or in the Army National Guard Aviation Support facility; or, in Air National Guard Wing/ Operations Group
HELICOPTER PILOT (ACCELERATED HIRE), GS-2181-12: Must have at least one year on-the-job experience in the grade (or a comparable military rank) immediately below the next higher level and have at least two years specialized competencies in operating a specific main-frame military aircraft, mission planning, and mission preparation; Experience reviewing and analyzing mission tasking, intelligence, and weather information; Experience filing flight plans and conducting crew briefings; Experience with aircraft preflight inspections, aircraft loading, and equipment assessments; Experience performing or supervising work procedures involved in navigation, in-flight refueling, search and rescue operations or surveillance and reconnaissance; Experience conducting or supervising the training of crew members in simple to complex mission specific tasks; Experience developing plans and policies, monitoring operations, and advising commanders; Experience with flight theory, air navigation, meteorology, flying directives, mission tactics, and operating procedures; Experience with 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.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:
  • Flight Systems
  • Mission Execution
  • Operation and Control
  • Tests and Measurement
Education:Must have a Federal Aviation Administration certification awarded from an accredited civilian aviation program or have a aviation certification from an accredited military aviation school.
Must provide Flight Records. Failure to provide will result in automatic disqualification.
When there is a positive education or certification requirement, or you are using education to qualify as a substitution for experience, copies of transcripts (unofficial) and/or certificates are required at the time of application to verify that you meet the educational/certification requirement or substitution. Failure to provide transcripts and/or certificates at the time of application will result in automatic disqualification.
Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Employment Type: OTHER

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Industry

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

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Arlington, VA, US

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