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Private Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Microsoft

Pilot

Redmond, WA

$30.22/hr

Pilot Aviation QA Must have at least fixed-wing private pilot license (commercial, military, or private) OR extensive Microsoft Flight Simulation or Xplane experience (consumer simulators) Openings ...

Psa Airlines

Pilot Cadet Program

Charlotte, NC · On-site

Your eligibility begins once you complete your Private Pilot Certificate. * Successfully complete an interview with PSA to become a Cadet in the program. * Cadets are offered numerous opportunities ...

PSA Airlines

Pilot Cadet Program

Vandalia, OH · On-site

Your eligibility begins once you complete your Private Pilot Certificate. * Successfully complete an interview with PSA to become a Cadet in the program. * Cadets are offered numerous opportunities ...

PSA Airlines

Pilot Cadet Program

Arlington, VA · On-site

Your eligibility begins once you complete your Private Pilot Certificate. * Successfully complete an interview with PSA to become a Cadet in the program. * Cadets are offered numerous opportunities ...

PSA Airlines

Pilot Cadet Program

Philadelphia, PA

Your eligibility begins once you complete your Private Pilot Certificate. * Successfully complete an interview with PSA to become a Cadet in the program. * Cadets are offered numerous opportunities ...

PSA Airlines

Pilot Cadet Program

Dallas, TX

Your eligibility begins once you complete your Private Pilot Certificate. * Successfully complete an interview with PSA to become a Cadet in the program. * Cadets are offered numerous opportunities ...

PSA Airlines

Pilot Cadet Program

Charlotte, NC

Your eligibility begins once you complete your Private Pilot Certificate. * Successfully complete an interview with PSA to become a Cadet in the program. * Cadets are offered numerous opportunities ...

PSA Airlines

Pilot Cadet Program

Charlotte, NC

Your eligibility begins once you complete your Private Pilot Certificate. * Successfully complete an interview with PSA to become a Cadet in the program. * Cadets are offered numerous opportunities ...

Joby Aviation

Flight Research Remote Pilot

Yuma, AZ · Remote

$91K - $125K/yr

Part 61 Private Pilot certificate with Instrument rating * Pat 107 Remote Pilot certificate * Current Class 3 medical * Experience operating Group 3 + UAS * Experience with manual (non-GPS) and/or ...

Joby Aviation

Flight Research Remote Pilot

Yuma, AZ · Remote

$91K - $125K/yr

Part 61 Private Pilot certificate with Instrument rating * Pat 107 Remote Pilot certificate * Current Class 3 medical * Experience operating Group 3 + UAS * Experience with manual (non-GPS) and/or ...

Titan Echelon, LLC

UAS Pilot

Blackstone, VA · Remote

Private Pilot License (PPL) Education/Experience Associate's degree from a two-year college or technical school; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Work Environment ...

Platform Aerospace

UAV Pilot/Instructor

Blackstone, VA · On-site

$30 - $70/hr

Private Pilot License   PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: * Must be able to obtain a DOT physical. * Must be able to perform the physical requirements of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation ...

Corewell Health

Fixed Wing Pilot

Traverse City, MI · On-site

Private pilot's quarters with bed, desk and computer * Well maintained base facility with modern fitness room, full kitchen * Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS ...

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Private Pilot information

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$49.5K

$130.9K

$201K

How much do private pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for private 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 private pilots?

Private pilots are individuals who hold a Private Pilot License (PPL), which allows them to fly aircraft for personal or recreational purposes but not for commercial compensation or hire. They are trained to operate small airplanes, follow aviation regulations, and ensure the safety of their flights. Private pilots can carry passengers, fly cross-country, and access a wide range of airports, but they must adhere to certain limitations such as not being paid for their flying services. The PPL is often seen as the first major step for those interested in aviation, either as a hobby or as a foundation for further advanced pilot certifications.

What are some common challenges faced by private pilots during cross-country flights?

Private pilots often encounter challenges such as varying weather conditions, complex airspace navigation, and maintaining situational awareness during cross-country flights. Managing fuel planning, coordinating with air traffic control, and ensuring compliance with flight regulations require careful preparation and decision-making. Building experience through regular flying and thorough pre-flight planning helps mitigate these challenges and ensures safe, efficient journeys.

What Does a Private Pilot Do?

As a private pilot, you can use a private pilot license (PPL) to operate a non-commercial aircraft and fly yourself or passengers around. This is essentially the recreational level of flying, and private pilots often support community events through volunteer activities like taking children on short flights to help them experience the joy of flying. Private pilots are not allowed to charge passengers, transport freight for money, or perform any other tasks that could qualify as a job. To get paid for flying an aircraft, you need at least a commercial pilot's license, and many trainees obtain a private pilot license while working toward professional licensure.

What is the difference between Private Pilot vs Commercial Pilot?

AspectPrivate PilotCommercial Pilot
CertificationsFederal Aviation Administration (FAA) Private Pilot CertificateFAA Commercial Pilot Certificate
Work EnvironmentPersonal flying, recreational, non-commercial activitiesPaid flying, charter services, aerial work
Employer & Industry UsageIndividuals, flight schools, private ownersAirlines, charter companies, aerial survey

The main difference between a Private Pilot and a Commercial Pilot lies in their certifications and permitted activities. Private Pilots can fly for personal or recreational purposes but cannot be paid for their flights. Commercial Pilots, on the other hand, hold additional certifications allowing them to be compensated for their flying services. Both roles require FAA certifications, but the scope of work and employment opportunities differ significantly.

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

To thrive as a Private Pilot, you need a strong understanding of aeronautical principles, flight regulations, and navigation, backed by a Private Pilot Certificate from the FAA. Familiarity with flight planning software, aircraft control systems, and radio communication tools is essential. Excellent situational awareness, decision-making skills, and calmness under pressure set outstanding pilots apart. These abilities ensure safe, efficient flight operations and effective handling of unexpected situations in the air.
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Private Pilot jobs near you
Pilot

Pilot

Microsoft

Redmond, WA

$30.22/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

Microsoft rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 125 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

48th of 188 rated software companies

Job description

Microsoft Flight Simulator Pilot Remote Job Opportunity

**Candidates must have either extensive experience in Microsoft Flight Simulator/Xplane or have a least a fixed wing private pilot's license*



Location: Onsite at Microsoft office in Redmond (onsite during core business hours Monday-Friday)

Title: Pilot Aviation QA

Must have at least fixed-wing private pilot license (commercial, military, or private) OR extensive Microsoft Flight Simulation or Xplane experience (consumer simulators)

Openings: 3 openings

Duration: Multi-Year (ongoing) W2 Contract with options to extend (At-will contract so employees can quit at any time)

Shift: Core business hours M-F, 9am - 3pm PST to help provide aviation feedback to engineering teams (some flexibility)

Hours per week: 40 Hours per week Monday through Friday

Pay: $30.22/Hour starting

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Equipment, PTO



NEED TO KNOW:

  • Looking for Pilots or Microsoft Flight Simulator candidates with fixed-wing aircraft experience
  • Must have at least a private pilot license OR extensive Microsoft Flight Simulation experience
  • Flight Simulation hours will not count towards FAA certifications
  • Great opportunity for pilots who are early in their career to work remotely while flying, or seasoned pilots who are no longer flying but interested in a cutting-edge position that is steady.



About the Role:

We have a unique role available where we are hiring a Pilot as a subject matter expert for Microsoft’s Flight Simulator. Candidates must have aviation experience as a pilot in either commercial, military, or as a private pilot and ideally have experience in Microsoft Flight Simulator version 2020 or 2024. This is perfect for someone early in their career who's interested in a steady job while they complete flight hours or other certifications.


Desired Skills and Experience

  • Private or commercial Pilot experience
  • Fixed Wing
  • Experience in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024
  • Enthusiasm or interest in the tech industry

Plusses

  • Experience with software testing or engineering
  • Military aircraft experience
  • Previous Flight Simulation experience

Day-to-Day

Microsoft is seeking a Pilot to join the team and provide guidance to create the industry's most realistic flight simulator. In this role, you will partner directly with Test, Engineering, and Production teams, and provide expertise on the accuracy in specifications for aircrafts in the simulator. The ideal candidate would be one who is either a simulation enthusiast (i.e. simmer) or rated (real-world) pilot. We need a self-starter who requires little direction and can deal with ambiguity that comes up as part of the role. This person should know what references to go to for looking up information and should have enough experience to make a confident educated guess on how certain things should work when it comes to aviation. As a subject matter expert in flight aviation, they should expect to answer questions and guide members of the team who are not simmers/pilots, which will require strong communication skills.

What Microsoft employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Microsoft logo

About Microsoft

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 100 datacenters and 1 million servers. Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts working to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide. With environmental sustainability and optimization at the forefront of our datacenter design and operations, we continue to grow and evolve as we meet the ever-changing business demands that hold Microsoft as a world-class cloud provider.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Redmond, WA, US

Year founded

1975

Social media

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