Flight Instructor Jobs in Washington
Last updated July 3, 2026
A guide to flight instructor (CFI) jobs in Washington — the flight schools FlyTo1500 tracks as potential employers, what CFI roles typically require, and how to find current openings.
Short answer
Washington has 25 flight schools in the FlyTo1500 employer database. CFI hiring varies by school, season, student demand, aircraft availability, and instructor turnover, so this page highlights potential flight instructor employers and how to find current CFI openings.
Washington CFI snapshot
- Flight schools tracked
- 25
- Major areas
- Auburn, Puyallup, Spokane, Everett, Gig Harbor, Vancouver
- Common roles
- CFI, CFII, MEI
- Helpful ratings
- CFII and MEI expand your options
- Common trainers
- Cessna 172, Piper Archer, Diamond DA40, Seminole/DA42 (multi)
- Best for
- Pilots building hours through structured instruction
Counts reflect flight schools FlyTo1500 tracks. Requirements and hiring vary by school, aircraft, and insurance.
Potential Flight Instructor Employers in Washington
Below are flight schools FlyTo1500 tracks in Washington as potential CFI employers. Exact requirements and current openings vary by employer, aircraft, insurance minimums, and location — a listing here does not mean a school is currently hiring.
Aero Maintenance INC
Vancouver, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Avian Flight Center INC
Bremerton, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Big Bend Community College
Moses Lake, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Cascade Aviation LLC
Burlington, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Classic Helicopter CORP
Auburn, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Clover Park Technical College
Puyallup, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Diversity Aviation LLC.
Bellingham, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Green River College
Auburn, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Mission Aviation Training Academy
Arlington, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Moody Bible Institute Of Chicago
Spokane, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Morcom Aviation Services INC
Everett, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Parkwater Aviation INC
Spokane, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Pavco INC
Gig Harbor, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Rainier Flight Services
Auburn, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Rainier Flight Services Bfi
Seattle, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Rainier-everett Pae
Everett, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Rainier-tacoma Tiw
Gig Harbor, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Safety In Motion Flight Center INC
Puyallup, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Safety In Motion Flight Center INC
Olympia, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Snohomish Flying Service INC
Snohomish, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Spanaflight
Puyallup, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Spanaflight Aviation
Tumwater, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Spanaflight Aviation
Kent, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Spanaflight Aviation
Auburn, WA
Flight school FlyTo1500 tracks
Want current CFI openings, not just schools?
FlyTo1500 tracks live listings and matches them to your logbook.
Unlock Current CFI JobsWhat flight schools in Washington typically look for
FAA rules set baseline certificate and flight instructor eligibility requirements, but individual flight schools may add their own aircraft, schedule, insurance, and experience preferences. CFI jobs commonly ask for:
- A Commercial Pilot Certificate
- A CFI certificate (CFII often preferred to teach instrument students)
- MEI helpful at multi-engine schools
- A current medical certificate
- Recent instructional proficiency and a clean, current logbook
- Availability and schedule flexibility, including evenings and weekends
Flight instructor eligibility is set out in 14 CFR § 61.183, with instructor limitations and qualifications in 14 CFR § 61.195. Keep your logbook accurate per 14 CFR § 61.51.
How to improve your chances of a CFI job in Washington
- Add a CFII if you only hold a CFI
- Add an MEI if the area has multi-engine schools
- Keep your logbook clean and current
- Build a simple, professional aviation resume
- Be flexible on schedule and willing to relocate within the area
- Reach out to schools directly and watch for seasonal hiring
- Set up job alerts so you catch new CFI openings early
Metro areas in Washington
Flight instructor jobs in other states
Related FlyTo1500 resources
- Flight instructor job requirements — pay, ratings, and how CFI work builds hours
- Flight instructor jobs by location — the full state and metro hub
- 250-hour pilot jobs — what's realistic right after training
- How to get 1,500 flight hours and the best jobs to build hours
Official sources referenced
FAA rules set baseline certificate and flight instructor eligibility requirements; individual schools add their own aircraft, insurance, and experience preferences. Always confirm current rules with the FAA and the specific school.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find flight instructor jobs in Washington?+
Start by identifying the flight schools near you — Washington has 25 flight schools in the FlyTo1500 employer database. CFI hiring varies by school, season, and student demand, so reach out to schools directly and use FlyTo1500 to track current or recently listed CFI openings that match your certificates and ratings.
How many flight schools are in Washington?+
FlyTo1500 currently tracks 25 flight schools in Washington, concentrated around Auburn, Puyallup, Spokane, Everett, Gig Harbor, Vancouver. These are potential flight instructor employers; whether any is hiring at a given time depends on the school, aircraft availability, and instructor turnover.
Do CFI jobs in Washington require a CFII?+
Not always, but many schools prefer or require a CFII so you can teach instrument students, and an MEI helps at multi-engine schools. Exact requirements vary by school, aircraft, and insurance. A base CFI certificate is typically the minimum.
How much do flight instructors make in Washington?+
Flight instructor pay in Washington varies widely by school, whether it's hourly or salaried, your ratings, and how many students you fly. Because ranges shift often, check current listings rather than relying on a single figure. FlyTo1500 links you to the original source so you can see the real terms.
Are there entry-level CFI jobs in Washington?+
Often yes — flight instructing is one of the most common first jobs for newly certificated pilots, and Washington's 25 schools make it a reasonable place to start. Availability depends on the school and season, and some prefer a CFII. See our 250-hour pilot jobs guide for what's realistic early on.
Can FlyTo1500 help me find CFI jobs in Washington?+
Yes. FlyTo1500 tracks flight schools and CFI opportunities and lets you compare them against your hours, certificates, and ratings, so you can focus on openings you qualify for. FlyTo1500 helps you discover and compare jobs — it does not employ pilots.
Want to know which CFI jobs you actually qualify for?
FlyTo1500 helps you compare low-time pilot jobs based on your hours, certificates, ratings, and job goals — so you can focus on openings that actually match your logbook.
Find CFI Jobs I Qualify ForCancel anytime · Apply directly with employers