eVTOL Pilot Jobs: How to Become an Air Taxi Pilot
The air taxi industry is creating thousands of new pilot positions with salaries ranging from $80,000 to $150,000 or more. Learn what it takes to become an eVTOL pilot, which companies are hiring, and how to position yourself for this exciting new career in urban air mobility.
Quick overview: eVTOL pilots need a Commercial Pilot License and aircraft-specific type rating. Starting salaries of $80K to $150K+ make this one of the highest-paying entry points in commercial aviation, with rapid career growth as the industry scales.
Salary Expectations
eVTOL pilot compensation is highly competitive, reflecting the specialized skills required and the limited pool of qualified candidates during the industry's growth phase.
Entry-Level First Officer
$80K–$100K
per year
New hires with CPL, 250 to 500 flight hours, and a freshly earned eVTOL type rating. Includes benefits, flight training, and potential stock options at startup operators.
Experienced Captain
$110K–$150K
per year
Captains with 750 or more hours and demonstrated proficiency in eVTOL operations. Responsible for flight safety, passenger experience, and mentoring junior pilots.
Chief Pilot / Management
$130K–$180K+
per year
Senior leadership roles overseeing pilot training, standards, fleet operations, and safety management. Requires ATP certificate and extensive management experience.
Current Job Openings
Leading eVTOL companies are actively building their pilot workforces. Here are representative positions and their requirements across the industry.
| Role | Company | Location | Salary Range | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eVTOL Line Pilot | Joby Aviation | Los Angeles, CA | $100K–$140K | CPL, 500+ hrs, type rating |
| Air Taxi Captain | Archer Aviation | San Francisco, CA | $110K–$150K | CPL, 750+ hrs, type rating |
| Chief Pilot | Blade Air Mobility | New York, NY | $130K–$180K | ATP, 2000+ hrs, management exp |
| eVTOL Training Pilot | Bristow Group | Houston, TX | $120K–$160K | CFI, 1500+ hrs, type rating |
| Test Pilot | Lilium | Munich, Germany | $120K–$170K | ATP, test pilot school, 2000+ hrs |
| UAM Operations Pilot | Wisk Aero | Mountain View, CA | $95K–$130K | CPL, 500+ hrs, autonomous ops cert |
| Air Taxi First Officer | United Airlines (AAM) | Chicago, IL | $90K–$125K | CPL, 250+ hrs, type rating |
| eVTOL Ferry Pilot | Volocopter | Singapore | $85K–$120K | CPL, 500+ hrs, type rating |
Salary estimates based on industry projections and comparable aviation roles. Actual compensation may vary by experience and location.
Training Pathway
The path from zero experience to eVTOL airline pilot follows a structured progression. Here is the step-by-step training pathway with estimated costs and timelines.
Private Pilot License (PPL)
Foundation of all pilot careers. Learn basic flight principles, navigation, and airmanship. Requires minimum 40 hours flight time, though most students need 60–70 hours.
Instrument Rating (IR)
Learn to fly solely by reference to instruments in reduced visibility conditions. Essential for all-weather air taxi operations and required for commercial flying.
Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
The minimum license required to fly passengers for hire. Requires 250 hours total flight time and demonstrated proficiency in complex aircraft operations.
eVTOL Type Rating
Aircraft-specific certification for the eVTOL model you will fly. Includes ground school, simulator training, and check rides. Each aircraft type requires its own rating.
Operator Training Program
Company-specific operational training covering standard operating procedures, route familiarization, CRM, emergency procedures, and customer service standards.
Total estimated cost: $58,000 to $92,000 over 13 to 26 months from zero to eVTOL-ready
Explore Training ProgramsSkills for Transition
Whether you come from helicopter, fixed-wing, or military aviation, here are the key skills that translate to eVTOL operations and the areas where additional training is needed.
From Helicopter Aviation
Helicopter pilots bring the most directly transferable skills to eVTOL operations. Their experience with vertical flight, hover control, confined area operations, and low-altitude urban flight makes them ideal candidates. Most helicopter pilots can complete eVTOL type rating in 4 to 6 weeks, significantly less than the full training pathway.
Key advantages include familiarity with heliport operations which translate directly to vertiport procedures, proficiency in managing vertical descent profiles, experience with passenger interaction in small cabins, and comfort operating in dense airspace near buildings and obstacles. Major helicopter operators like Bristow and PHI are already transitioning their pilot forces.
From Fixed-Wing Aviation
Fixed-wing pilots bring strong instrument flying skills, crew resource management experience, and understanding of air traffic control procedures. However, they will need additional training in vertical flight operations, hover control, and the unique energy management challenges of eVTOL aircraft during transition between hover and cruise flight modes.
Regional airline and corporate pilots often find the eVTOL transition appealing due to quality-of-life improvements. eVTOL pilots typically operate on predictable schedules with no overnight trips, fly in a single metropolitan area, and benefit from the growing demand that creates rapid career advancement opportunities. The transition typically requires 6 to 8 weeks of additional training.
Industry Timeline
When will eVTOL pilot jobs be available? Here is the projected timeline for pilot demand growth as the urban air mobility industry scales from initial operations to mass market adoption.
First Commercial Pilot Positions
Initial pilot hiring at Joby, Archer, and Volocopter for launch operations. Estimated 200–500 pilot positions across all operators.
Rapid Expansion Phase
As networks expand to 10+ cities, demand for pilots accelerates. Estimated 2,000–5,000 pilot positions needed industry-wide.
Mass Market Operations
Major airlines enter the market. Training pipelines mature. Estimated 10,000–25,000 pilots employed in eVTOL operations globally.
Autonomous Transition Begins
Single-pilot operations transition to remote monitoring. Pilots shift toward supervisory and management roles. New autonomous operations specialist positions emerge.
The Future of Autonomous Operations
Autonomous flight technology is advancing rapidly, but what does this mean for eVTOL pilot careers? The reality is far more nuanced than simply replacing pilots with computers.
Near Term (2025–2028)
All commercial eVTOL operations will require onboard pilots. Fly-by-wire systems reduce pilot workload significantly, but human oversight remains mandatory. This is the golden era for eVTOL pilots, with high demand, premium salaries, and rapid career advancement as operators race to build their fleets and route networks.
Mid Term (2029–2032)
Single-pilot operations become standard as autonomous systems prove their reliability. Some operators begin testing remotely supervised flights. Pilot roles evolve to include more systems monitoring and exception handling. New positions emerge for remote operations center supervisors who oversee multiple autonomous aircraft simultaneously.
Long Term (2033+)
Autonomous operations become widespread for routine flights. Experienced pilots transition into high-value roles including autonomous systems certification, safety management, remote fleet operations, and regulatory compliance. The total number of aviation professionals in the industry continues to grow even as the nature of the work evolves from hands-on flying to supervisory and management functions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about pursuing a career as an eVTOL pilot, from licensing requirements to salary expectations and future career prospects.
What license do you need to fly an eVTOL?
To fly an eVTOL commercially, you need a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) issued by your national aviation authority such as the FAA in the United States. Additionally, you must obtain a specific type rating for the eVTOL aircraft model you will operate. The FAA is developing a new powered-lift category rating specifically for eVTOL aircraft. Some countries may also require additional endorsements for urban air mobility operations.
How much do eVTOL pilots make?
eVTOL pilot salaries are expected to range from $80,000 to $150,000 or more annually during initial commercial operations in 2025 to 2027. Entry-level first officers may start around $80,000 to $100,000, while experienced captains and chief pilots can earn $130,000 to $180,000 or more. These salaries are competitive with or higher than regional airline pilot pay and reflect the specialized skills and limited pilot pool during the industry's early years. Benefits typically include health insurance, flight training, and stock options at startup companies.
Can helicopter pilots transition to eVTOL?
Yes, helicopter pilots are among the best-positioned candidates for eVTOL pilot positions. Their experience with vertical flight operations, hover control, confined area operations, and low-altitude urban flight directly transfers to eVTOL operations. Many eVTOL companies actively recruit helicopter pilots and offer abbreviated type rating programs that recognize their existing skills. The transition training typically takes 4 to 6 weeks compared to the full training pathway for fixed-wing pilots.
Will eVTOL pilots be replaced by automation?
While fully autonomous eVTOL operations are a long-term goal for many manufacturers, human pilots will remain essential for at least the next decade. The transition will be gradual, moving from two-pilot to single-pilot operations, then to remotely supervised autonomous flight. Even in a fully autonomous future, highly skilled professionals will be needed for remote monitoring, exception handling, flight planning, and safety management. The role will evolve from hands-on flying to supervisory and systems management positions.
How many flight hours do you need to become an eVTOL pilot?
The minimum flight hour requirements vary by operator and position. Most entry-level eVTOL pilot positions require 250 to 500 total flight hours with a Commercial Pilot License. More senior positions and captain roles typically require 750 to 2,000 hours. Some operators may accept lower total hours if the candidate has significant rotorcraft experience. As the industry matures, hour requirements may increase similar to how airline minimum hours increased over time.
Which companies are hiring eVTOL pilots?
Major companies currently building eVTOL pilot pipelines include Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, Lilium, Volocopter, Wisk Aero, and EHang. Established aviation operators entering the market include Blade Air Mobility, Bristow Group, and helicopter operators like PHI and Era Group. Major airlines such as United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta have invested in eVTOL companies and plan to integrate air taxi services. The total number of hiring companies is expected to exceed 50 by 2028.
What skills do eVTOL pilots need beyond flying?
Beyond core piloting skills, eVTOL pilots need proficiency in advanced avionics and fly-by-wire systems, customer service and passenger interaction, crew resource management in single-pilot operations, urban airspace navigation and obstacle awareness, battery management and energy optimization, weather assessment for low-altitude operations, and familiarity with autonomous systems for future supervisory roles. Strong communication skills are essential as pilots interact directly with passengers in the small cabin environment.
Are there eVTOL pilot training programs available now?
Several training programs are emerging for aspiring eVTOL pilots. Joby Aviation has partnered with CAE to develop eVTOL-specific training curricula and simulators. Bristow Group offers transition programs for existing helicopter pilots. Flight schools like FlightSafety International and L3Harris are developing eVTOL training modules. Universities including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Purdue University are incorporating eVTOL coursework into their aviation programs. Additionally, the FAA is working with industry to establish standardized training requirements for the new powered-lift category.
What is the career growth path for eVTOL pilots?
The career path typically starts as a First Officer or Line Pilot, progressing to Captain within 2 to 3 years based on experience and performance. From there, pilots can advance to Check Airman or Training Captain roles, then to Chief Pilot or Director of Operations positions. Some pilots may transition into fleet management, safety management, autonomous operations supervision, or executive leadership. The rapid industry growth means advancement opportunities will be abundant, similar to the early days of commercial aviation when career progression was accelerated by expanding operations.
Ready to Launch Your eVTOL Career?
Join the waitlist to be among the first to know about eVTOL pilot opportunities, training programs, and industry developments. The future of aviation starts now.