The pilot hiring market fell this week, bringing the total number of available jobs to 1,300, down 22 from last week's total of 1,322 jobs. This 1.7% decline is a welcome respite from the last few weeks' rapid gains. Of greater concern is the fact that only 17 new jobs were added to the existing pool this week as airlines appear to be taking a step back to evaluate the aftermath of their hiring frenzy.
We are seeing a lot of interest in this area from business aviation based on our data across 655 unique airlines. A320 opportunities held steady at 103 positions, but the real action is happening in the corporate world.
Corporate Aviation Stealing the Show
PC12 jobs climbed 2 positions to 46 total, which is the only turboprop showing meaningful growth. Citation CJ jobs climbed 1 position to 36 jobs, and the Challenger 650 added a job for a total of 28 openings.
The heavy iron corporate market is red-hot. Global Express sits at 38 jobs with no change. Gulfstream GV holds 30 positions. The G650 market stayed flat at 28 jobs, but these ultra-long-range positions typically command premium compensation.
Meanwhile, the airline workhorses – the A320 and 737 – showed zero net movement. That's not necessarily bad news, just evidence that legacy carriers are holding steady rather than expanding aggressively.
Solairus Still Dominates
The crew at Solairus Aviation continued their stranglehold on the job market this week, with 49 active positions posted. Unlike last week, however, they did not add any new positions to the mix. They are more than double their next closest competitor, CAE, who had 28 active positions this week.
There's no doubt who's doing the hiring in the business aviation sector. Clay Lacy Aviation maintains 21 openings, Executive Jet Management has 15, and Jet Aviation posts 12 positions. VistaJet rounds out the corporate leaders with 11 jobs.
Airbus was the only major employer to add positions this week, posting 1 new job for 11 total. When the manufacturer is hiring, it usually signals either new program ramp-ups or training department expansion.
Geography Tells the Real Story
Texas leads all locations with 64 jobs, followed closely by Florida at 62. California rounds out the top US markets with 53 positions. But here's what's interesting: Europe as a region shows 50 jobs, suggesting international opportunities remain solid despite slower overall growth.
We notice that the general location category "US" pulls up 55 jobs - this means a lot of employers are casting a wide net for this location - often a sign that they are having trouble filling specific locations.
Captain Market Stays Strong
The rank breakdown reveals where the real demand sits. Captain positions dominate with 736 openings, while first officers trail significantly at 422 jobs. That 736 to 422 ratio shows airlines and operators are hungry for experienced left-seat talent.
We've got 116 listings for Flight Instructors, indicating training departments are gearing up for increased activity. Meanwhile, only 11 cadet positions are available. It appears training departments are more interested in hiring experienced pilots.
The Money Numbers
Salary data shows the market rewarding experience. The average pilot salary across all positions sits at $143,969, with a median of $124,110. That $20,000 gap between average and median suggests high-paying captain and corporate positions are pulling the average upward.
For context, these numbers reflect the entire market from regional FO spots to heavy jet PIC positions, so individual mileage will vary significantly based on experience and aircraft type.
Cabin Crew Market Perks Up
Despite the slower pace of pilot hiring this week, the number of open cabin crew positions increased. We list 194 active positions this week, up 4 from last week. While the increase is modest, any upward movement in flight attendant hiring often signals airlines preparing for increased flying ahead.
The pilot market this week seems to be experiencing a natural consolidation rather than any fundamental weakness. With business aviation showing the most movement and captain positions still commanding premium demand, experienced pilots with turbine time should find plenty of opportunities. The real test will be whether this week's slowdown extends into April or if we see hiring activity pick back up as operators finalize their summer flying schedules.