Best Helicopter Pilot Jobs in Utah

Utah has some great options when it comes to helicopter jobs. Having both large metropolitan areas and mountainous terrain provides variety for pilots looking to take off in the state. FLYING reviewed the most popular helicopter pilot jobs in Utah and five came out on top.  

When choosing the best helicopter job for you in Utah, 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 Utah.

Emergency medical service helicopter pilots are a top job in Utah and those that do it are an essential part of the emergency service department. Being a first responder in life or death situations, an emergency medical service helicopter must be aware that there are some gruesome parts of the job.

Location: All major cities within Utah have an air ambulance division.

Salary or Per-Trip Price: The average salary for medical services pilots in Utah is $92,000 with the potential to make more in large metropolitan areas.

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A helicopter flight instructor conducts pilot ground and simulator training courses, develops and prepares training materials, and evaluates trainees’ progress through the curricula. In addition to ground instruction, flight instructors train students in flight as well. They also recommend candidates for qualification or additional training, and identify training issues that might require review.

Location: Many colleges and universities, as well as small flight schools, give pilots the opportunity to build hours by being a flight instructor. Find out the locations of these schools in FLYING’s Flight School Guide. 

Salary or Per-Trip Price: On average, Utah helicopter flight instructors make around $25-$35 per hour. 

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Law enforcement helicopter pilots, similar to medevac pilots, are at the front line in emergencies. Being a law enforcement helicopter pilot is a highly skilled position that requires the ability to maneuver and land in crowded metropolitan areas as well as mountainous 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, Drug Enforcement Administration or the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

Location: Throughout Utah with high demand in metropolitan areas, like Salt Lake City.

Salary or Per-Trip Price: The average annual pay for a law enforcement helicopter pilot in Utah is $72,000 a year.

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According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, Utah has more than 18,400 farms encompassing more than 10.8 million acres. This means there are plenty of opportunities to work in agriculture as an aerial application (crop dusting) pilot. Some of the aerial application pilot jobs within the state are state-funded and come with great benefits

Location: Throughout Utah (with potential travel to other states)

Salary or Per-Trip Price: The average aerial applicator pilot salary in Utah is $95,000.

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A helicopter ski pilot is similar to a tour guide pilot but is different in the fact that the pilot will land and drop passengers high in the mountains for the purpose of skiing to the bottom. Helicopter ski pilots must take specific training courses to understand the safety and skill needed to land and drop skiers at high altitudes in the snow. Being a helicopter ski pilot can be an exciting career path but it can also be quite dangerous.

Location:  Jobs for helicopter skiing pilots are located at all major mountain skiing destinations in Utah. 

Salary or Per-Trip Price: Depending on the ski resort you are employed with, pay for a helicopter ski pilot can range anywhere from $40,000 to $75,000 per year.

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

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

The timeframe it takes to become a helicopter pilot depends a lot on how much time you devote to training and where you complete your training. It can take six to 12 months to earn a commercial helicopter pilot certificate from start to finish if you are training full time. For part-time student pilots, a commercial helicopter pilot certificate can take longer, up to 12 to 24 months. 

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.

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 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.

It’s important to show that you put safety first in any aviation profession, but 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 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 Utah average between $68,000 and $150,000 a year, or more; however, the average salary for helicopter pilots in Utah hovers around $95,394, per year.

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

Applying to a new job can be daunting but in Utah you have options. Choosing the best helicopter job in Utah 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.