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Survival Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Armada Ltd

Weapons Based Instructor I

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

... Survival Instructors Manual). * Other duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): All instructor personnel shall possess the instructional qualifications contained within this ...

Armada Ltd

Weapons Based Instructor I

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

... Survival Instructors Manual).Other duties as assigned.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):All instructor personnel shall possess the instructional qualifications contained within this Section.

JS Solutions

SERE Instructor

Daleville, AL · On-site

Army Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) school at Fort Rucker, Alabama ... Instructors will be subjected to high levels ofphysical and mental stress in the performance of ...

JS Solutions

SERE Instructor

Daleville, AL · On-site

Army Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) school at Fort Rucker, Alabama ... Instructors will be subjected to high levels of physical and mental stress in the performance of ...

O Gara Training & Services LLC

Instructor

Montross, VA · On-site

$55K - $73K/yr

... personal survivability. We work with the world's most elite counter terrorism professionals ... OTS is soliciting for part time on call(PTOC) instructors with remarkable military and law ...

JS Solutions

SERE Instructor

Daleville, AL

Army Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) school at Fort Rucker, Alabama ... Instructors will be subjected to high levels ofphysical and mental stress in the performance of ...

O Gara Training & Services LLC

Instructor

Montross, VA · On-site

$55K - $73K/yr

... personal survivability. We work with the world's most elite counter terrorism professionals ... OTS is soliciting for part time on call(PTOC) instructors with remarkable military and law ...

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Survival Instructor information

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How much do survival instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for survival instructor in the United States is $18.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $20.91 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a survival instructor?

To thrive as a Survival Instructor, you need a deep understanding of wilderness survival techniques, first aid, navigation, and outdoor safety, often backed by certifications such as Wilderness First Responder or Instructor credentials from recognized survival organizations. Familiarity with GPS devices, compasses, map-reading tools, and emergency communication systems is important for effective instruction and safety management. Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills help instructors engage diverse groups and adapt to challenging situations. These capabilities are crucial for ensuring the safety, learning, and confidence of clients in demanding and unpredictable environments.

How do you become a survival instructor?

To become a survival instructor, individuals typically need relevant outdoor experience, knowledge of survival skills, and certifications such as Wilderness First Aid or Survival Instructor certifications. Gaining experience through outdoor activities, completing training programs, and demonstrating teaching ability are essential steps in qualifying for this role.

What does a survival instructor do?

A Survival Instructor teaches individuals or groups essential survival skills for outdoor or emergency situations. This includes skills like fire-making, shelter-building, navigation, foraging, and first aid. They may work in various settings, such as wilderness schools, military training, or private courses. Their goal is to prepare people to survive in harsh or unexpected conditions with minimal resources.

What are the typical challenges survival instructors face while leading courses in the field?

Survival Instructors commonly face challenges such as unpredictable weather, varying terrain, and ensuring the safety of participants with different experience levels. Leading groups in remote settings requires staying vigilant about risk management while still providing an engaging and educational experience. Instructors must also be able to quickly adapt lesson plans to real-time changes and effectively resolve group dynamics issues. Overcoming these challenges is a key part of the role, making flexibility and decision-making critical skills for success.

More about Survival Instructor jobs
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Survival Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Survival Instructor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 52% Full Time, 42% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,795 per year, or $18.2 per hour.

TRAINING INSTRUCTOR (WATER SURVIVAL)

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

San Diego, CA • On-site

$70K/yr

Other

Posted 10 days ago

U.S. Department Of Defense rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 537 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 49 rated military and defense

Job description

You will serve as a TRAINING INSTRUCTOR (WATER SURVIVAL) in the AVIATION SURVIVAL TRAINING CENTER (ASTC) of NMOTC DET NSTI ASTC MIRAMAR CA.Qualifications:Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
  • Experience qualifying and maintaining diving qualifications.
  • Experience with Navy Dive School or Equivalent
  • Experience using an automated system (e.g., management information system, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) to extract information.
  • Experience assisting with clerical and administrative functions to support the needs of the organization.
  • Experience preparing reports and maintaining documents in electronic files for easy retrieval

Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management web site:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1700/training-instruction-series-1712/
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-ADMIN
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:
In lieu of specialized experience applicants may substitute the following:
Master's or equivalent graduate degree
OR
2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree
OR
LL.B. or J.D., if related

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- education or a subject area related to the position to be filled.
A transcript must be submitted with your application if qualifying using education.

Employment Type: OTHER

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