Best Helicopter Pilot Jobs in California

Editor’s note: The following article is not intended to be a ranking, but is only to serve as a list of possible options. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary.

Sandy beaches, snow-capped mountains, and desert landscapes all in the same state make California a great place to live. As a helicopter pilot, finding the right job in California can be tough because there are so many options. FLYING reviewed the most popular helicopter pilot jobs in California and five came out on top.  

Quicklook: Best Helicopter Pilot Jobs in California

• Best public service career: Law Enforcement Helicopter Pilot
• Best for job security: Military Helicopter Pilot
• Best for adrenaline junkies: Helicopter Firefighter
• Best for time building: Helicopter Tour Guide Pilot
• Best pay: Corporate/Private Helicopte Pilot

Best Helicopter Pilot Jobs – California

When choosing the best helicopter job for you in California, it is best to understand what kind of industry you are looking to get into, if this is a time-building stepping stone, and the size of the company. Once you have gauged these metrics, you can look into jobs that fit the bill. Here are our top picks for the best helicopter jobs in California..

Law Enforcement Helicopter Pilot 

Law enforcement helicopter pilots, similar to medevac pilots, are at the front line in emergencies. Being a law enforcement helicopter pilot in California is a highly skilled position that requires the ability to maneuver and land in metropolitan areas as well as in remote terrain.  Law enforcement helicopter pilots can be employed as a deputy sheriff for a county, as an officer for a city police department, or as an agent for a national organization, like the Border Patrol or the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Location: All major cities in California will have law enforcement helicopter jobs.

Salary or Per-Trip Price: The average annual pay for a law enforcement helicopter pilot in California is $55,989 a year.

Benefits: 

• Job security
• State and/or federal government benefits ie. paid holidays, 401K matching, etc.
• Public service career

Disadvantages:

•  Lower paying than most other helicopter pilot job options in California
•  High risk environment with exposure to criminal activity

Military Helicopter Pilot 

Military helicopter pilots are part of an elite group of service members who are trained to fly helicopters inside and outside of wartime. The military has different types of helicopters depending on the branch. For example, the Navy has SH-60 Seahawks and V-22 Ospreys, while the Army flies AH-64 Apaches and UH-60 Black Hawks and more. Flying for the military can be an option for those with or without a college degree. 

Location: Military stations in California, such as North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego.

Salary or Per-Trip Price: Military pay is based on time in service and location of orders. 

Benefits: 

• Job Security, health and housing benefits for you and your family
• Opportunity to travel the world  
• Paid education benefits 

Disadvantages: 

•  Contractual obligations
•  Possible separation from loved ones for extended periods of time

Helicopter Firefighter

Helicopter pilots in California are among the first to respond to wildfires that typically ravage the state each year. As a firefighting helicopter pilot, you might fly a Ball UH-1H Super Huey, which is the aircraft commonly used to drop thousands of gallons of water from the air each year during California’s wildfire season. In addition to fighting forest fires, firefighting helicopter pilots also lend a hand in urban and rural areas when needed. This career path may be ideal for an adrenaline junkie. 

Location: The California government places firefighting pilots in the most needed locations throughout the wildfire season.

Salary or Per-Trip Price: The average annual pay for a firefighting pilot in California is $59,146 a year.

Benefits: 

• Medical, vision, and 401K-employer supported benefits 
• Public service career
• Job security
• Live anywhere

Disadvantages:

• High-risk career field on the front lines of fighting fires 
• On call when needed

Helicopter Tour Guide Pilot

California is home to many busy tourist destinations, such as Hollywood, San Francisco, and San Diego. This means there is plenty of opportunity to gain experience and earn money as a tour guide helicopter pilot. As a tour guide helicopter pilot, you will fly clients over popular locations and explain the scenery below. Popular sites to see include the Golden Gate Bridge and homes of celebrities. This job is perfect for time building. 

Location: Major tourist cities, including Hollywood and San Francisco.

Salary or Per-Trip Price: Air tour guide pilots in California make an average salary of $105,572 per year.

Benefits:

• High-paying pilot job in California
• Interacting with new people daily
• Great for time building

Disadvantages: 

• No set schedule
• Repetitive work

Corporate/Private Helicopter Pilot

Corporate/Private helicopter pilots are hired by an entity or person to fly them from place to place. This career pathway can be very lucrative and is one of the highest paying pilot jobs in California. 

Location: Large cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Salary or Per-Trip Price: Corporate/private helicopter pilots in California make between $150,000-$200,000 per year.

Benefits: 

• High pay and benefits
• Meet the wealthy, famous, and interesting

Disadvantages: 

• On call by the owner of the aircraft 
• Slim job security
• High time required for hiring

Commercial Helicopter Pilot Requirements in California

To become a commercial pilot in the state of California, you must:

• Hold a current commercial helicopter pilot certificate
• Be at least 18 years old
• Read, speak, write, and understand the English language
• Hold at least a second-class medical certificate
• Obtain a minimum of 40 hours of helicopter flight training and 10 hours of ground instruction
• Satisfactorily pass an FAA-required flight test

After all the requirements are completed, you may apply for helicopter jobs within the state.

How Long Does it Take To Become a Commercial Helicopter Pilot? 

The timeframe it takes to become a helicopter pilot depends a lot on how much time you are devoted to training and where you complete your training. Starting flight training with no experience, to getting a commercial helicopter certificate may take six to 12 months if you are attending training full time. For part-time student pilots, a commercial pilot certificate can take longer, up to 12 to 24 months. 

What to Consider When Looking for Helicopter Pilot Jobs

When determining if a helicopter pilot job is right for you, there are several basic questions you should ask: 

1) Does the company offer job security? 

2) What are the safety protocols? 

3) How much will you make? 

4) What is the location of the position? 

Choose the position that best meets your requirements in each of these areas before applying.

Job Security

Helicopter pilot jobs normally come with inherent job security due to the high-demand for skilled and experienced pilots, and the technical skills the job requires, but it is important to understand your potential employer’s industry and operations, as these may affect job security. Job security is important to understand and take into consideration when applying for a helicopter pilot job because you do not want to be stuck looking for a new position, in cases of company closure, bankruptcy, or a recession. Look for long-standing companies that have years of experience hiring and training pilots. Ask current and former employees their opinions or look at reviews online to gauge job security.

Safety 

It’s important to show that you put safety first in any aviation profession, especially as a pilot. Safety in the aviation industry should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Companies that hire helicopter pilots should be dedicated to the safety of the pilot as well as the passengers. Research the safety protocols of the companies you apply to online or by asking current and former pilots. During your interviews, ask the hiring manager if there are any specific safety protocols you should be aware of before taking the position. 

Salary

Salary is one of the most important metrics when applying for a new position. Set a guideline for yourself and your family and apply to companies and positions that meet those guidelines. If you are right out of flight school, do not have unrealistic expectations of salary, but find the best position to fit your needs in the short term. The more experience you get, the higher the salary you can ask for. Salaries for helicopter pilot jobs in California average between $95,382 and $144,600. a year, or more; however, the average salary for helicopter pilots in California hovers around $112,467 per year.

Location

When searching for a pilot job, focus on the area you want to live in. Whether that be California or another state, helicopter pilot jobs are everywhere, so choose a location you will be happy to live in for the long term. 

Lights, Cameras, Helicopters

Applying to a new job can be daunting but in California you have options. Choosing the best helicopter job in California for you can be easy if you consider the most important metrics, safety, salary, location, and job security. Learn more about helicopter pilot jobs and stay up to date on the top news in aviation by subscribing to FLYING Magazine.

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