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Search Rescue Helicopter Pilot Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

U.S. Navy

Aviation - Officer Careers - VA, DC, MD

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$91K - $113K/yr

HELICOPTER PILOT As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy ...

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Williamsburg, VA · On-site

HELICOPTER PILOT - As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy ...

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

HELICOPTER PILOT - As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy ...

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Harrisonburg, VA · On-site

HELICOPTER PILOT - As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy ...

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Hampton, VA · On-site

HELICOPTER PILOT - As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy ...

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Virginia Beach, VA · On-site

HELICOPTER PILOT - As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy ...

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Norfolk, VA · On-site

HELICOPTER PILOT - As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy ...

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Annandale, VA · On-site

HELICOPTER PILOT - As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy ...

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Richmond, VA · On-site

HELICOPTER PILOT - As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy ...

U.S. Navy

Aviation Officer

Lynchburg, VA · On-site

HELICOPTER PILOT - As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy ...

US Navy

Aircrew Rescue Swimmer & Navy Diver

Lorton, VA

... helicopter sea rescues and underwater search, salvage, repair, and demolition to support carrier ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...

US Navy

Aircrew Rescue Swimmer & Navy Diver

Gwynn, VA

... helicopter sea rescues and underwater search, salvage, repair, and demolition to support carrier ... Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in ...

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Search Rescue Helicopter Pilot information

See Virginia salary details

$70.9K

$99.4K

$122.4K

How much do search rescue helicopter pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for search rescue helicopter pilot in Virginia is $99,389.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $89,200.00 and $111,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a search rescue helicopter pilot?

A Search and Rescue (SAR) Helicopter Pilot operates helicopters to locate and assist individuals in distress, often in remote or hazardous environments. Their duties include flying in various weather conditions, coordinating with rescue teams, and performing emergency evacuations. They work for military, government, or private organizations, responding to emergencies such as natural disasters, lost hikers, or maritime incidents. Extensive training, flight experience, and certifications are required to ensure safety during high-risk operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a search rescue helicopter pilot?

To thrive as a Search Rescue Helicopter Pilot, you need advanced piloting skills, a thorough knowledge of aeronautical navigation and meteorology, and a commercial or air transport pilot license with specialized search and rescue (SAR) training. Proficiency with GPS navigation systems, night vision equipment, hoist operations, and radio communications is essential. Strong decision-making abilities, teamwork, and calmness under pressure are vital soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure safe and effective mission execution in challenging and often life-threatening situations.

What are the typical working hours and conditions for a search rescue helicopter pilot?

Search Rescue Helicopter Pilots often work irregular hours, including weekends, nights, and holidays, as emergencies can occur at any time. The role can involve long shifts and rapid response to urgent calls, with time spent both in-flight and on standby at a base. Pilots typically operate as part of a highly coordinated team, collaborating closely with crew members, paramedics, and ground rescue personnel. Work conditions can be physically and mentally demanding, especially in adverse weather or challenging terrain, but the position is rewarding for those who are passionate about saving lives and making a tangible impact.

What are the most commonly searched types of Search Rescue Helicopter Pilot jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Search Rescue Helicopter Pilot jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Search Rescue Helicopter Pilot jobs in Virginia?

For Search Rescue Helicopter Pilot jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Search Rescue Helicopter Pilot jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Search Rescue Helicopter Pilot jobs in Virginia are:

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Cities in Virginia with the most Search Rescue Helicopter Pilot job openings:

Search Rescue Helicopter Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Search Rescue Helicopter Pilot job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,389 per year, or $47.8 per hour.

Aviation - Officer Careers - VA, DC, MD

U.S. Navy

Norfolk, VA • On-site

$91K - $113K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago

United States Navy rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 379 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 49 rated military and defense

Job description

The U.S. Navy operates more than 3,700 aircraft, making it the second largest air force in the world— second only to the U.S. Air Force. Below are the careers in aviation that work together to get our birds in the sky.

AVIATION JOBS IN THE NAVY

FIGHTER PILOT

Complete complex air maneuvers while flying at Mach speeds. Catapult off carriers at 170 mph and land on moving runways only 300 feet long. Gather intel, drop ordnance and conduct defensive missions—all in the F/A-18 Hornet and the cutting-edge F-35C Lightning II.

AIRCRAFT HANDLING OFFICER

Every performance needs a choreographer and on the deck of an aircraft carrier, that person is you. You’re in charge of directing the movement of the entire flight deck from the jet launch sequence to aircraft recovery.

FIXED WING PILOT

In the C-2 Greyhound, you transport parts, personnel, and mail to the 5,000 people aboard. In the cockpit of the E-2C Hawkeye, you’re on patrol as the command control center in the sky. If you’re flying the P-3 Orion or the brand-new P-8 Poseidon, you hunt submarines using cutting edge software, radar, sonar, and acoustics.

HELICOPTER PILOT

As a helicopter pilot, the sky is your domain. Hover over the sea for search and rescue, extract Sailors and Special Forces from a hot landing zone or track and neutralize enemy submarines in defense of your ship.

NAVAL FLIGHT OFFICER

In this role, you’re the navigator, the lookout and the weapon operator inside naval aviation. Whether you’re hunting submarines from a P-8 Poseidon, navigating an E-2 Hawkeye through enemy territory or dropping bombs from the backseat of an F-18 fighter jet .

AVIATION MAINTENANCE DUTY OFFICER

You’re in charge of managing the repair and upkeep of our most lethal aviation assets—over eighty different types of aircraft. In addition to that, you manage hundreds of personnel, making this a job that requires a level of organization and focus that few can say they’ve mastered.

PAY AND BENEFITS

From the day you start, you’ll receive:

  • Competitive salary
  • Free health insurance
  • Free housing
  • A retirement plan
  • 30 days paid vacation per year

EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Beyond professional credentials and certifications, the Navy can help ease your financial burdens and advance your career with generous financial assistance and continuing education programs, including:

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill
  • Navy Tuition Assistance Program
  • Naval Postgraduate School (NPS)
  • Navy College Program
  • VOLED Assistance Center
  • VOLED Region Advisors
  • Navy War College (NWC)
  • USAF Air University Air Command and Staff College

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

  • Bachelor’s degree (Students may apply in last 12 months of pursuing degree)
  • U.S. citizen or equivalent
  • 17 years of age or older

General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you’re currently serving, whether you’ve served before or whether you’ve never served before.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

In the field of aviation, you’ll make the world your home. You may be assigned to sea or shore squadrons on almost any continent. You will have the opportunity to work in a variety of environments—airborne aircraft, hangars, flight decks, flight lines at air stations and on aircraft carriers.

PART-TIME OPPORTUNITIES

Some of the above aviation jobs in the Navy Reserve are open only to prior or current military aviators. Take a moment to learn more about the general roles and responsibilities of Navy Reserve Sailors.

What United States Navy employees say

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About US Navy

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

National security, national security and international affairs, public safety statistics centers and offices, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

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