10 Best States For Flight Instructors In 2024 - Zippia (2024)

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Not all states present equal opportunity for employees, and when it comes to flight instructor jobs, it's no different. We know how hard job search can be, and in order to make your life a little easier, we have the information you need in order to determine where you might want to start your job search. Pay, benefits, and opportunities vary greatly by state, and it's no different for flight instructors. We found that California is the best state in the nation for flight instructors, and people in Pacifica earn the most in the field.

We figured that the best places for flight instructor jobs has three things everyone would agree on. There would be high annual wages, good career prospects (no matter what phase of the career you are in), and a lot of job opportunities. We found that California is the best state for flight instructor jobs, whereas Montana is the worst.

10 best states for flight instructors in 2024

  1. 10 Best States For Flight Instructors In 2024 - Zippia (1)

    1. California

    Total Flight Instructor Jobs:

    1,767
    Average Annual Salary:$75,940
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$45,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$126,000
    Location Quotient:

    1.27Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

    Flight Instructor Jobs in California

  2. 10 Best States For Flight Instructors In 2024 - Zippia (2)

    2. North Carolina

    Total Flight Instructor Jobs:

    680
    Average Annual Salary:$59,233
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$37,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$94,000
    Location Quotient:

    1.48Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

    Flight Instructor Jobs in North Carolina

  3. 10 Best States For Flight Instructors In 2024 - Zippia (3)

    3. Michigan

    Total Flight Instructor Jobs:

    423
    Average Annual Salary:$61,577
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$38,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$97,000
    Location Quotient:

    1.14Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

    Flight Instructor Jobs in Michigan

  4. 10 Best States For Flight Instructors In 2024 - Zippia (4)

    4. New Jersey

    Total Flight Instructor Jobs:

    479
    Average Annual Salary:$63,708
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$38,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$105,000
    Location Quotient:

    1.26Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

    Flight Instructor Jobs in New Jersey

  5. 10 Best States For Flight Instructors In 2024 - Zippia (5)

    5. Oregon

    Total Flight Instructor Jobs:

    279
    Average Annual Salary:$57,185
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$33,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$98,000
    Location Quotient:

    1.41Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

    Flight Instructor Jobs in Oregon

  6. 10 Best States For Flight Instructors In 2024 - Zippia (6)

    6. Mississippi

    Total Flight Instructor Jobs:

    97
    Average Annual Salary:$56,576
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$36,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$88,000
    Location Quotient:

    0.96Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

    Flight Instructor Jobs in Mississippi

  7. 10 Best States For Flight Instructors In 2024 - Zippia (7)

    7. Massachusetts

    Total Flight Instructor Jobs:

    318
    Average Annual Salary:$70,801
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$42,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$117,000
    Location Quotient:

    0.73Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

    Flight Instructor Jobs in Massachusetts

  8. 10 Best States For Flight Instructors In 2024 - Zippia (8)

    8. Iowa

    Total Flight Instructor Jobs:

    168
    Average Annual Salary:$55,594
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$36,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$85,000
    Location Quotient:

    0.97Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

    Flight Instructor Jobs in Iowa

  9. 10 Best States For Flight Instructors In 2024 - Zippia (9)

    9. Delaware

    Total Flight Instructor Jobs:

    70
    Average Annual Salary:$56,570
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$34,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$93,000
    Location Quotient:

    1.17Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

    Flight Instructor Jobs in Delaware

  10. 10 Best States For Flight Instructors In 2024 - Zippia (10)

    10. Minnesota

    Total Flight Instructor Jobs:

    246
    Average Annual Salary:$59,762
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$39,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$91,000
    Location Quotient:

    0.78Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

    Flight Instructor Jobs in Minnesota

Flight Instructor JobsNear Phoenix, AZ

How Zippia determines the best states to be a flight instructor

You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated

here.

Detailed list of the best states for a flight instructor

RankStateAverage SalaryLowest 10% EarnPopulationJob Count
1California$75,940$45,00039,536,6531,767
2North Carolina$59,233$37,00010,273,419680
3Michigan$61,577$38,0009,962,311423
4New Jersey$63,708$38,0009,005,644479
5Oregon$57,185$33,0004,142,776279
6Mississippi$56,576$36,0002,984,10097
7Massachusetts$70,801$42,0006,859,819318
8Iowa$55,594$36,0003,145,711168
9Delaware$56,570$34,000961,93970
10Minnesota$59,762$39,0005,576,606246
11Pennsylvania$57,682$35,00012,805,537424
12New York$55,049$33,00019,849,399653
13Wisconsin$56,055$36,0005,795,483184
14Rhode Island$53,519$32,0001,059,63948
15North Dakota$51,178$34,000755,39340
16Alabama$52,766$33,0004,874,747160
17Tennessee$52,000$33,0006,715,984212
18Hawaii$59,689$52,0001,427,53869
19Kentucky$50,334$32,0004,454,189157
20Texas$51,969$32,00028,304,596826
21District of Columbia$61,041$37,000693,97238
22Virginia$51,898$31,0008,470,020597
23Vermont$51,621$31,000623,65732
24Nebraska$51,167$32,0001,920,07687
25Wyoming$47,143$30,000579,31546
26Florida$49,719$31,00020,984,400787
27New Hampshire$51,793$31,0001,342,79561
28West Virginia$49,310$30,0001,815,85758
29Indiana$50,739$32,0006,666,818131
30New Mexico$47,856$30,0002,088,07099
31Georgia$47,384$30,00010,429,379692
32Missouri$51,156$32,0006,113,532174
33Connecticut$52,116$31,0003,588,184111
34Alaska$46,805$26,000739,79555
35Colorado$46,227$29,0005,607,154508
36Arkansas$49,349$31,0003,004,27941
37Maryland$48,828$29,0006,052,177299
38Nevada$44,844$27,0002,998,039151
39Washington$50,593$29,0007,405,743233
40Maine$48,177$29,0001,335,90744
41Ohio$44,949$28,00011,658,609403
42South Carolina$41,958$26,0005,024,369364
43Oklahoma$45,976$29,0003,930,864108
44Kansas$44,135$28,0002,913,123129
45South Dakota$44,084$28,000869,66643
46Louisiana$45,121$28,0004,684,333136
47Utah$44,830$28,0003,101,833126
48Arizona$41,255$25,0007,016,270266
49Illinois$42,534$27,00012,802,023456
50Idaho$37,296$22,0001,716,94357
51Montana$39,503$25,0001,050,4930

Highest paying states for flight instructors

RankStateAvg. Flight Instructor Salary
1California$75,940
2North Carolina$59,233
3Michigan$61,577
4New Jersey$63,708
5Oregon$57,185
6Mississippi$56,576
7Massachusetts$70,801
8Iowa$55,594
9Delaware$56,570
10Minnesota$59,762
11Pennsylvania$57,682
12New York$55,049
13Wisconsin$56,055
14Rhode Island$53,519
15North Dakota$51,178
16Alabama$52,766
17Tennessee$52,000
18Hawaii$59,689
19Kentucky$50,334
20Texas$51,969
21District of Columbia$61,041
22Virginia$51,898
23Vermont$51,621
24Nebraska$51,167
25Wyoming$47,143
26Florida$49,719
27New Hampshire$51,793
28West Virginia$49,310
29Indiana$50,739
30New Mexico$47,856
31Georgia$47,384
32Missouri$51,156
33Connecticut$52,116
34Alaska$46,805
35Colorado$46,227
36Arkansas$49,349
37Maryland$48,828
38Nevada$44,844
39Washington$50,593
40Maine$48,177
41Ohio$44,949
42South Carolina$41,958
43Oklahoma$45,976
44Kansas$44,135
45South Dakota$44,084
46Louisiana$45,121
47Utah$44,830
48Arizona$41,255
49Illinois$42,534
50Idaho$37,296
51Montana$39,503

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10 Best States For Flight Instructors In 2024 - Zippia (2024)

FAQs

10 Best States For Flight Instructors In 2024 - Zippia? ›

High demand for flight instructors.

One of these changes is expected to be a shortage of pilots. Flight instructors are being hired by airlines faster than they can be replaced, which means that there is currently a need for qualified flight instructors.

Where do flight instructors get paid the most? ›

Highest paying cities for Flight Instructors near United States
  • Pensacola, FL. $58.83 per hour. 7 salaries reported.
  • Chicago, IL. $43.53 per hour. 16 salaries reported.
  • Wichita, KS. $34.42 per hour. 6 salaries reported.
  • Farmingdale, NY. $27.98 per hour. 7 salaries reported.
  • Arlington, TX. $23.64 per hour. ...
  • Show more nearby cities.
Apr 14, 2024

Is there a demand for flight instructors? ›

High demand for flight instructors.

One of these changes is expected to be a shortage of pilots. Flight instructors are being hired by airlines faster than they can be replaced, which means that there is currently a need for qualified flight instructors.

How much do flight instructors earn in USA? ›

The average flight instructor salary in the USA is $68,250 per year or $32.81 per hour.

How much do ATP CFI make? ›

Atp Cfi Salary in Houston, TX
Annual SalaryMonthly Pay
Top Earners$106,128$8,844
75th Percentile$72,206$6,017
Average$67,263$5,605
25th Percentile$37,799$3,149

Can you make a living as a flight instructor? ›

From what research I've done on the forums and speaking with instructors, most instructors average about 70 hours a month and ATP pays $20.70 per hour, plus a half hour of ground school for each flight hour bringing that amount up to $29.30 per hour or about $2k per month.

Can you make good money as a flight instructor? ›

Unless you own a flying school your pay may always be less than an airline pilot particularly when you first start instructing. However, once you have gained considerable instructing experience it is possible to earn anywhere from $60,000 to $85,000 a year as a fulltime professional flight instructor.

Is there an age limit for flight instructors? ›

You must hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate with an Instrument rating. You must be 18 years of age or older. There is no maximum age limit. You must be able to read, speak, and understand English.

What is the average age of certified flight instructors? ›

Certified Flight Instructor age breakdown
Certified Flight Instructor YearsPercentages
40+ years67%
30-40 years21%
20-30 years11%

How many hours a month do flight instructors fly? ›

How many hours do Flight Instructors fly each month? On average, full-time CFIs fly about 80 to 100 hours per month. Though our top performing instructors can easily get 120 hours in a month. I addition you flight instructors also do an additional 100 hours of classroom and flight simulator instructions.

How long does it take to get 1500 flight hours? ›

How Long Does it Take to Become a Pilot? It takes three months to become a pilot and earn your private pilot license. To become an airline pilot, it takes two years to gain the required 1,500 hours flight time.

How much do CFI pilots make in Florida? ›

As of Apr 5, 2024, the average annual pay for a Cfi Pilot in Florida is $96,869 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $46.57 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,862/week or $8,072/month.

Is it hard being a flight instructor? ›

It's also one of the most challenging positions I've ever had. Many instructors would attest that the student who works hard and flies well makes the job of a flight instructor fairly simple and much more enjoyable. The opposite is also true: some students make the job more arduous than others.

How many flight hours do CFI get? ›

Certified Flight Instructor Requirements

Before you pursue your CFI rating make sure you've met these CFI requirements: Have logged at least 250 hours (or 190 hours Part 141) total time. Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or ATP (ASEL or AMEL) with Instrument Rating.

Does ATP hire outside Cfis? ›

ATP hires entirely from their pool of students-- no outside instructors come in asking for a job at ATP.

How many hours is a CFI? ›

It takes approximately 12 months to become a Certified Flight Instructor and you must have logged at least 250 hours total time to get your certificate.

How much do United Aviate instructors get paid? ›

Average United Aviate Academy Flight Instructor hourly pay in the United States is approximately $30.26, which is 10% above the national average.

What is the highest paying flight job? ›

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