Also called: Rotorcraft Pilot, HEMS Pilot, Utility Helicopter Pilot
Flies helicopters for medical evacuations, news, tours, offshore oil platforms, police, or utility work.
An EMS helicopter pilot waits at a base, then gets a call and is lifting off within minutes to land on a highway or hospital roof. A utility pilot might hover beside power lines while a lineman works from a platform. Every day is different, and weather decides a lot.
Commercial pilots (BLS 53-2012) had a median of about $123k in May 2024; this specialty is estimated within that group.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 2 years after high school. FAA commercial rotorcraft certificate from a flight school (often $80k+), or Army flight training; most need 1,000+ hours before the best jobs.
Ways in: Certification, Military, Trade school. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Professional Helicopter Pilot (flight school), Aviation.
Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years). Steady demand for EMS and tour pilots; many military pilots fill openings.
Low risk for 10 years. Autopilots and night-vision aids help; hovering, hoisting and landing in tight, rough spots stay human.
Classes: Physics, Algebra II, Earth science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-2012.
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.