How Much Does Skydiving Cost In North Carolina?

Key Takeaways
Tandem skydiving typically ranges from about $200 to $300, with Piedmont Skydiving’s rates varying by day and altitude from $229 to $399 – and media packages, group discounts, and HALO upgrades adding to the total. Learning to skydive solo costs about $2,396 upfront, reflecting the extensive instruction, equipment, aircraft operations, and professional expertise involved. While skydiving may seem expensive, the pricing directly supports a commitment to safety, training, and high-quality equipment. 

How much does skydiving cost? Although prices on skydiving have some variation, tandem skydiving generally costs between $200 and $300. The skydiving cost is determined by a few things, such as where the dropzone is located, what they offer, what plane they use, how high they skydive from, and much more. 

Tandem Skydiving Costs (First-Time Jumpers)

What is the cost of skydiving per person as a first-time jumper? Here at Piedmont Skydiving, the cost per person to skydive is between $219 and $399. That’s a big range – here’s a quick breakdown of our current tandem skydiving prices (December 2025):

TANDEM SKYDIVING – PER PERSON RATES
Day of the Week	Cost Per Person
Monday-Thursday	$229
Friday – 12,500 feet	$249
Friday – 17,500 feet	$399
Saturday & Sunday	$269

Want to jump with my friends? Awesome idea! Check out our tandem skydiving group rates – the more people in your party, the more you save!

TANDEM SKYDIVING – GROUP RATES
Number of People	Discount Per Person
4+	$10
8+	$20
12+	$30

Thinking about adding skydiving photos and video? Excellent choice! Because … did it even happen if you don’t have evidence? 

MEDIA PACKAGE RATES
Package	Cost per Person
Photos Only	$99
Video Only	$99
Photos & Video	$119
Photos, Video & Social Media	$139

What Is A HALO Jump? 

HALO stands for High Altitude Low Opening. Despite the name, skydivers aren’t actually opening their parachute any lower to the ground than they do on a typical jump, it’s just lower in comparison to when they exit the plane. For example, a tandem skydive with us takes place from 12,500 feet, but a HALO jump takes place from 17,500 feet. Each of these skydives result in parachutes deployed at the same altitude. 

How much does a HALO jump cost? $399! Jumping from this high requires additional training, supplemental oxygen, and has even more novelty than a regular skydive. 

Learning to Skydive: AFF Training Costs

A detailed breakdown of our AFF prices is located on our Prices page. 

AFF stands for Accelerated Freefall and it’s the most comprehensive and widely used method for teaching people how to skydive solo! Learning to skydive solo requires commitment of time, resources, and perseverance, but it’s one that is well worth it. 

At Piedmont Skydiving, our program includes two tandem skydives (to get you used to the air and the process), 6-8 hour ground school, subsequent AFF skydives, Coach jumps, and solo jumps. The total cost is around $4,000, although it varies by person. Save $150 when you pay for your AFF training jump upfront!

Keep in mind, AFF skydives are designed for you to gain mastery of certain skills in the sky – if you need an extra jump or two to nail something down, that will be an extra cost. 

AFF costs seem hefty on the front end, but you have to consider what it is that you’re getting – the license to skydive alone (life-changing)! 

What Determines Skydiving Cost? 

Factors such as altitude, plane type, and geographic location all play a role in the skydiving cost. The higher the altitude, the more expensive. The more unique the aircraft, the pricier the jump. And, if you jump in a more picturesque area, you can expect a higher price tag to accompany that.

How much does it cost to go skydiving in SC compared to NC? It’s about the same! Prices may vary between geographic regions, but because North and South Carolina are geographically similar, our skydiving prices are comparable. 

Why Is Skydiving So Expensive? 

We’ll be the first to acknowledge that the cost of skydiving can come with sticker shock – but it’s all relative! What all goes into the cost of skydiving? Let’s break it down. 

• Instructor Compensation
  Think about skydiving like buying a nice piece of art. You’re not paying the artist for a simple canvas with paint on it, but rather something they put years of dedication into that makes you feel alive! Skydiving instructors have hundreds (and often, many thousands) of skydives. They are highly-trained professionals who have a passion for sharing the sky with novices. 

• Aircraft Upkeep
  The aircraft we fly are constantly inspected and maintained. 

• Fuel Costs
  If you think the price of gas has gone up, don’t even get us started on aviation gas! 

• Gear Upkeep
  Skydiving gear is meticulously inspected prior to every skydive, and eventually, even with proper upkeep, gear wears out and needs replacing. And let’s just say, tandem skydiving rigs – the container, harnesses, two parachutes (the main and reserve), and AAD – cost a pretty penny. (For good reason – it’s literally life-saving equipment!)

• Parachute Packing
  Each time we land from a jump, the main parachute has to be repacked. And, every 180 days, the reserve parachute has to be taken out of the container, inspected, and repacked. Each of these are an added expense.

Licensed Skydiver Jump Costs Are Lower 

Ya know that $399 HALO jump we mentioned above? For a licensed skydiver with their own gear, the same skydive costs $49. WHAT!? We’re serious! When a solo skydiver invests in the sport by gaining their skydiving license and purchasing their own gear, the cost of skydiving significantly decreases. At Piedmont Skydiving, a standard jump ticket is $30 and a jump from a low altitude is only $24. 

What if you don’t own your own gear? Newly licensed skydivers typically rent gear until they have a better sense of what kind of skydiving they’ll pursue, then they’ll purchase new or used equipment. At Piedmont Skydiving, we offer rig rental at $30 per jump or $75 per day.

Is Skydiving Worth The Money? 

Ummm … ABSOLUTELY! And if you give up one nice-to-have for a month, like a daily latte or energy drink, you could afford to skydive! 

Here’s the thing. Skydiving is supremely empowering! It can legitimately change your life. So, yes, it is 100% worth it. Do it once or do it 500 times, that very first jump is a priceless, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Come make a skydive with us to see what it’s all about! Book your jump today!