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Pilot Safety Inspector Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Pilot Safety Inspector information

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$54.5K

$96.3K

$128K

How much do pilot safety inspector jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for pilot safety inspector in the United States is $96,334.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,500.00 and $102,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Pilot Safety Inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pilot Safety Inspector, you need a robust background in aviation, pilot certification (such as an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate), and substantial flight experience. Familiarity with aviation safety regulations, inspection procedures, and technical systems like flight data monitoring tools is typically required. Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help inspectors identify risks and clearly convey safety standards. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure compliance, enhance operational safety, and prevent accidents in the aviation industry.

What are the most common challenges faced by Pilot Safety Inspectors during routine inspections?

Pilot Safety Inspectors often encounter challenges such as managing diverse aircraft types, adapting to varying operational procedures across different airlines, and ensuring compliance with evolving aviation regulations. Balancing thorough inspections with tight schedules can also be demanding, especially when coordinating with flight crews and maintenance teams. Effective communication and up-to-date technical knowledge are essential for overcoming these challenges and ensuring aviation safety standards are consistently met.

What are Pilot Safety Inspectors?

Pilot Safety Inspectors are professionals, often employed by government aviation authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), who are responsible for ensuring that pilots and flight operations comply with all safety regulations and standards. They conduct evaluations, inspections, and sometimes investigations to verify that airline and commercial pilots meet licensing, training, and operational requirements. Their work helps maintain high levels of safety in aviation by enforcing rules, providing recommendations, and sometimes participating in the certification of pilots and flight schools.

What is the difference between Pilot Safety Inspector vs Flight Operations Inspector?

AspectPilot Safety InspectorFlight Operations Inspector
CertificationsFAA pilot certifications, safety inspector credentialsFAA flight operations certifications, safety credentials
Work EnvironmentAircraft inspections, safety audits, on-site inspections at airportsOperational reviews, compliance checks, airport and airline facilities
Employer & IndustryAirlines, FAA, aviation safety agenciesAirlines, FAA, aviation regulatory bodies

Both roles focus on aviation safety but differ in scope. Pilot Safety Inspectors primarily evaluate pilot performance and aircraft safety, while Flight Operations Inspectors review overall flight operations and compliance. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify career paths and job expectations in aviation safety roles.

More about Pilot Safety Inspector jobs
What are popular job titles related to Pilot Safety Inspector jobs? For Pilot Safety Inspector jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Pilot Safety Inspector job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 15% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,334 per year, or $46.3 per hour.
Aviation Safety Inspector, Assistant Aircrew Program Manager

Aviation Safety Inspector, Assistant Aircrew Program Manager

Federal Aviation Administration

Phoenix, AZ • On-site

$90.93K - $118.02K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


Federal Aviation Administration rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 148 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 273 rated public sector bodies


Job description

Summary
The Assistant Aircrew Program Manager (AAPM) serves as a full assistant to an Aircrew Program Manager (APM) and is responsible for the adequacy of aircrew ground and flight training/testing and standards for specific aircraft of an assigned air carrier. Assists in the management of programs on assigned aircraft including designated examiners and/or Aircrew Program Designees (APD).
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Duties
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Develops a work program to insure periodic surveillance of designated pilot and flight engineer examiners, pilot and flight engineer check airmen, and company training programs.
Assures the assigned air carrier conducts flight crew training and testing required by Title 14of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), FAA-approved training programs, and current testing standards. Oversees company check airmen and APDs. Serves as the technical advisor to the principal inspector on assigned areas of the company training and testing programs. Coordinates technical instructions, policy orders, and procedures through the principal inspector to assure uniformity of training and testing activities.
Monitors assigned air carrier ground and flight training. Attends certificate holder's company and safety meetings. Evaluates training programs to ensure that they meet the requirements of 14 CFR. Approves or disapproves these training programs including flight simulators, training devices, or other such equipment used in these programs. May require amendments to previously approved manuals to accomplish the following: correct any conflict with regulatory requirements; eliminate unsafe practices; and/or improve the specificity of instruction.
Recommends the designation of APDs and pilot examiners. Conducts flight tests, additional type ratings, and flight engineer certification; proficiency tests; initial qualification tests, and line-oriented flight training.
Flight Oversight ASIs do not conduct certification (pilot evaluating, testing, and checking) job functions as a required crewmember, including safety pilot. The incumbent will not, in any scenario, act as a required crewmember or safety pilot of an aircraft. Flight Oversight ASIs apply a broad knowledge of the aviation industry, aviation safety, and Federal aviation laws, regulations, and policies.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
  • Selectee will be required to report to a FAA Flight Standards duty location.

Qualifications
Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements for an Aviation Safety Inspector in the 1825 series as outlined in the OPM qualifications standards. The minimum eligibility requirements for this position are below or may be found on the following link: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1800/aviation-safety-series-1825/
General Requirements for All Applicants:
  1. Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years;
  2. Valid State driver's license;
  3. Fluency in the English language;
  4. No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and
  5. High school diploma or equivalent.

Aviation Safety Inspector positions have job-related medical requirements. When applicable, applicants must meet job-related medical requirements which will be assessed and validated during the pre-employment process.
Medical Requirements: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following requirements:
  1. Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted);
  2. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and
  3. Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others that would interfere with their ability to operate/occupy a flight deck observer's seat (jumpseat) or a cabin passenger seat in a variety of aircraft.

Applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector, (Flight Oversight) positions must meet all of the following requirements.
  1. At least 1 year of pilot experience in multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight.
  2. Not more than 2 flying accidents during the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved.
  3. Three years of experience working in an organization with an air carrier, commercial operator, or air agency certificate, an organization whose work led to the certification of individual airmen, or an organization that operated aircraft. At least one year of this experience must be with an organization that also operated multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum takeoff weight..
  4. Airline Transport Pilot Certificate
  5. Minimum 1,500 total flight hours.

(Recency of experience is waived for current FAA employees in the 1825 series)
AND
In addition to meeting the minimum requirements, applicants for the FG-13 level must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next to lower grade level in the normal line of progression (FG-12 or Pay Band H), Specialized experience is defined as:
  • Experience interpreting and applying regulations, policies and procedures related to certification and clarification of air carrier aviation and commercial operations (14 CFR Part 121)
  • Monitoring activities of organizations to determine whether they are following their authorized program, Federal regulations, and good safety practices;
  • Executing assignments that primarily require knowledge of flight operation of air carrier aircraft.
  • Work that involves monitoring and issuing certificates to a large complex aviation organization or several smaller organizations that, in total, are comparable in complexity to one large aviation organization

For Lateral Movements Between 1825 Specialties: To assist in determining qualification requirements, applicants transferring between specialties at the same grade level are strongly encouraged to complete the appropriate Qualifications Assessment Tool (QAT) check sheet and upload it along with their resume. Check sheets are contained in Order 3410.26, Flight Standards Service Air Carrier and General Aviation Qualifications Assessment Tool for AFS Aviation Safety Inspectors found using this link https://my.faa.gov/org/linebusiness/avs/offices/afx/tools/qat.html
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent.
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Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.
Additional information
We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements
All or none of the candidates may be interviewed.
In-grade/downgrade applications will be accepted.
Selectee must report to the advertised facility.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS: Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or Omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job. Your application/resume must have your official title, grade, series and employment dates in your work history.
As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA)/Leadership and Management Dimension (LMD) NARRATIVES from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a NARRATIVE response in the text box listed below each KSA/LMD.
In lieu of providing a KSA NARRATIVE response in the text box listed below each KSA/LMD, in your work history on your resume/application, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA/LMD. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Please also ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job); Duties (be specific in describing your duties); Employer's name and address; Supervisor name and phone number; Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008); Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week); & Salary. Determining length of Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible due to an incomplete application.
Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.
Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability.
Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration.
Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA
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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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