Pilot job market / Flight instruction
The flight instructor job market
For many new commercial pilots, instructing is the first paying flying job. Every lesson goes in the logbook, so a busy instructor builds hours steadily while being paid to fly.
Openings run from independent Part 61 schools to university and academy programs under Part 141. The figures below describe the instructor listings on USA Pilot Jobs right now.
What employers ask for
Minimum flight hours
Total flight time required. 3 of 57 listings state one.
- Under 2500
- 250–4991
- 500–9992
- 1,000–1,4990
- 1,500 or more0
- Not stated54
Certificates required
Share of listings that name each one.
- CFI88%
- CFII35%
- MEI16%
- Commercial11%
- Instrument11%
- ATP2%
- First-class medical2%
- Seaplane2%
- Tailwheel2%
By career stage
Listings grouped by the minimum hours they state, with the certificates asked for most often at each stage.
Entry level1 listing
Under 500 hours
CFI, Commercial, Instrument
Building time2 listings
500–1,499 hours
CFI, CFII, Instrument
Pay in current listings
10 of 57 flight instructionlistings state pay as a figure or range. Each counts at the midpoint of its range, and the middle half leaves out the highest and lowest quarter so one unusual listing doesn't skew it.
Hourly pay
$24–$40/hr
Middle half · median $29/hr · 8 listings
Aircraft in current listings
- Cessna 172 5
- Cessna 152 2
- Cirrus 2
- Cirrus SR20 2
- Diamond DA-42 2
- Fixed Wing 2
- 172RG 1
- 22T G6 1
Where the jobs are
Current flight instruction listings by state. Each state page covers its openings in every category, its aviation employers and its flying clubs.
The most recent listings
- Flight instructionFull-time
Flight Instructors
- State
- New York
- Minimum hours
- Hours not stated
- Pay
- Pay not listed
- CFI
- CFII
Employer, town and apply link for members
- Flight instructionLow-time
Flight Instructor
- State
- Oklahoma
- Minimum hours
- Hours not stated
- Pay
- Pay not listed
- CFI
- CFII
Employer, town and apply link for members
- Flight instructionLow-time
Flight Instructor
- State
- Utah
- Minimum hours
- Hours not stated
- Pay
- Pay not listed
- CFI
Employer, town and apply link for members
- Flight instruction
Flight Instructor
- State
- Connecticut
- Minimum hours
- Hours not stated
- Pay
- Pay not listed
- CFI
- CFII
Employer, town and apply link for members
- Flight instructionPart-time
Flight Instructor
- State
- Washington
- Minimum hours
- Hours not stated
- Pay
- Pay not listed
- CFI
Employer, town and apply link for members
- Flight instructionLow-timeFull-time
Flight Instructor
- State
- Virginia
- Minimum hours
- Hours not stated
- Pay
- From $20/hr
- CFI
- CFII
Employer, town and apply link for members
Before you apply
- A flight instructor certificate for airplanes requires a commercial or airline transport pilot certificate with an instrument rating. (Instructors who hold only a sport pilot rating follow separate, more limited rules.)
- An instructor may give no more than 8 hours of flight training in any 24 consecutive hours.
- Teaching in a twin requires a multi-engine rating on both your pilot and instructor certificates. To give training toward a certificate or rating in a twin, you also need at least 5 hours as pilot in command in that make and model.
Other kinds of flying
Frequently asked questions
How many flight instructor jobs are open right now?+
57 listings are active on USA Pilot Jobs, 55 of them added in the last 30 days. The count is refreshed daily as listings are added and expire.
What do current flight instructor listings pay?+
Across the 8 listings that state hourly pay, the middle half runs from about $24 to $40/hr, with a median of $29/hr. Each listing counts at the midpoint of its stated range.
Which states have the most flight instructor openings?+
Current listings are spread across 22 states. The most are in California, Washington and Texas.
Why doesn't this page show the employer or an apply link?+
Job listings are for members. On the board, every listing shows the employer, the location, the full requirements and a link to apply on the employer's own site. Membership costs $9.99 a month or $99 a year.
Every flight instructor listing, in full
Members see the employer, location and full requirements for each opening, with the ones their hours and ratings already meet marked.
Browse pilot jobsNo contracts · You apply on the employer's own site