Pilot Jobs in California

Pilot jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, with demand concentrated in commercial aviation, cargo operations, military contract flying, and regional airline service. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the primary hiring hubs, anchored by carriers and operators such as United Airlines, FedEx, and Alaska Airlines, all of which maintain significant California operations. The most consistent openings are for airline transport pilots, cargo pilots, and corporate or charter pilots with instrument ratings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles103+
Top employerShield AI
Top citySan Diego, CA
Cities hiring51
Work type63% On-site
Top industryAerospace

Showing 5 of 103+ Pilot jobs

G
Co-Pilot & Maintenance Specialist
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G
Added 1d ago
Co-Pilot & Maintenance Specialist
Golden Empire Mortgage
Bakersfield, California
Customer Service
Retail Banking & Branch Management
Sales
$65k - $72k/yr

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REACH Medical Holdings
REACH Helicopter Pilot - HAA
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REACH Medical Holdings
Added 1d ago
REACH Helicopter Pilot - HAA
REACH Medical Holdings
Brawley, California
Project Management
$115k - $127k/yr
First-Class Medical Certificate
501-1,000

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DoorDash
UAS Operations Specialist - Pilot
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DoorDash
Added 2d ago
UAS Operations Specialist - Pilot
DoorDash
Bay Point, California
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$28.4 - $41.8/hr
Military encouraged
10,000+

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SILA
Pilot Production Manager
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SILA
Added 2d ago
Pilot Production Manager
SILA
Alameda, California
Business Development
Corporate Development & M&A
Investment Operations
Procurement & Purchasing
$165k - $208k/yr
Bachelor's degree in engineering

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Certis Biologicals
Pilot Plant Operator
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Certis Biologicals
Added 3d ago
Pilot Plant Operator
Certis Biologicals
Wasco, California
Business Operations
Business Strategy
Revenue Operations & Enablement
Strategy & Corporate Development
$29.36 - $36.7/hr
High school diploma or GED

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Pilot Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Diego
17 jobs
Edwards AFB
6 jobs
Hawthorne
5 jobs
Van Nuys
4 jobs
San Luis Obispo
4 jobs
Concord
3 jobs
Edwards
3 jobs
Torrance
3 jobs
San Mateo
3 jobs

Pilot Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Shield AI
    Shield AI16
  • REACH Medical Holdings
    REACH Medical Holdings13
  • Air Methods
    Air Methods6
  • Northrop Grumman
    Northrop Grumman5
  • Advanced Air
    Advanced Air5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Aerospace & Defense
  • Science & Research
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in pilot jobs across California.

  • FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate required for most California positions
  • Current FAA First or Second Class medical certificate in good standing
  • Minimum total flight hours as specified by the employer or FAA regulation
  • Type rating or willingness to complete type rating training for specific aircraft
  • Valid instrument rating and experience operating in Class B airspace
  • Strong record of on-time performance and crew resource management proficiency

Pilot Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a pilot in California?

Becoming a pilot in California follows the FAA certification path, not a state-issued license. You start with a Private Pilot Certificate, then build hours toward a Commercial Pilot Certificate, and ultimately an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate for airline work. California has numerous Part 141 flight schools, including programs at institutions like IASCO Flight Training and several community college aviation programs, that offer structured training recognized by major California carriers.

Which companies hire pilots in California?

Employers hiring pilots in California right now include Shield AI, REACH Medical Holdings, and Air Methods, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's combination of major international airports, large cargo hubs, and active charter market means demand comes from a wide range of operator types beyond mainline airlines.

Which California cities have the most pilot jobs?

The California cities with the most pilot openings are San Diego, Edwards AFB, and Hawthorne. Los Angeles drives the largest share given LAX's status as a major international hub for multiple carriers, while San Francisco supports United Airlines' West Coast base and significant cargo operations, and San Diego reflects demand from both regional aviation and military contract flying in the area.

Are there remote pilot jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. About 38% of pilot openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, since most flying roles require physical presence in the cockpit or on the flight line. The small share of remote work in this field tends to involve flight simulation instruction, aviation safety analysis, or dispatcher and operations coordination roles that don't require active flying.

How can I get hired as a pilot in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path for low-experience candidates is flight instruction, which builds hours while earning income. Many California regional carriers, including those operating under major airline brands out of LAX and SFO, recruit from flight schools and college aviation programs. Becoming a Certified Flight Instructor at a California Part 141 school lets you accumulate the hours needed to qualify for regional airline first officer positions, which are the standard stepping stone into commercial aviation.

Where can I find and apply to pilot jobs in California?

You can find and apply to pilot jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across airlines, cargo operators, charter companies, and corporate flight departments. Find the roles that fit your certificate level and experience, then apply directly to each employer through the listing.

See All 103+ Pilot Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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