Also called: Crew Chief / Hoist Operator, Rescue Hoist Specialist
Runs the cable winch on a rescue helicopter, lowering rescuers to stranded hikers, flood victims and injured climbers and bringing them up.
Hoist operators lean out the door of a hovering helicopter, talk the pilot into exact position, and lower a rescuer on a cable to a cliff ledge or a car roof in a flood. They watch the cable, rotor clearance and wind all at once. Between missions they inspect the hoist and train constantly.
Fire, sheriff or contractor pay. Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 6 years after high school. Usually a firefighter, deputy or flight medic selected for an air unit, then hoist training; military crew chiefs also move into this.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Military, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Fire Science, Paramedicine, Aviation Maintenance.
Growing about average. More agencies are adding hoist-capable helicopters (approx.).
Low risk for 10 years. Better sensors and hover aids help; running live hoist rescues stays human.
Classes: Physics, Physical education.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-2099.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.