Pilot Salary in India 2024

Pilot Salary in India – The average starting salary of a pilot in India ranges from INR 9.1 LPA to 12.85 LPA. However, with gradual experience and exposure one can expect to get an average pay of INR 1 Crore after becoming a senior pilot.

Pilots are responsible for keeping their aircraft clean and running frequent tests to check the working order as well as other associated issues. Some various designations and roles aspiring students can choose to become pilots in India are commercial pilots, helicopter pilots, or work for the Indian Defence Forces. The salaries for each sector vary in terms of their work ethics and other parameters.

Pilot Salary in India 2024

Pilot Salary in India 2024

Profile	Starting Annual Salary (INR)	Mid-Range Annual Salary (INR)	Senior Position Annual Salary (INR)
Armed-Services Pilot	2.7 L	6 L – 8 L	10 L – 25 L
Private Pilot	7 L	10 L – 22 L	N/A
Commercial Pilot	8.75 L	24 L	1.5 Cr.
Captain, Air India	25 L	50 L – 75 L	1 Cr. – 2 Cr.
Captain, Indigo	30 L	60 L – 90 L	1.5 Cr. – 2.5 Cr.
Captain, Emirates	60 L	1 Cr. – 1.5 Cr.	2 Cr. – 5 Cr.

Average Salary of Pilot in India

The average salary of a Pilot highly depends on the organization or the airline company they are working for, location and the sector.

The average salary of a pilot in India can range from around ₹10 lakhs to ₹50 lakhs or more per year. The incentive varies from ₹10,000 and ₹9.86 lakhs every year. However, the salary of a pilot can vary significantly depending on their experience, the type of aircraft they fly, and the airline they work for.

For example, a pilot with over 10 years of experience flying a large commercial aircraft for a major airline can earn much more than a pilot with less experience flying a smaller aircraft for a regional airline.

Pilot Salary in India per Month (Fresher /Mid-level / Experienced)

The list of salaries of the various categories is below:

Pilot Salary in India per Month: Fresher

• Commercial airline pilot with less than a year of experience earns ₹15.26 lakhs. It includes tips, overtime pay and an incentive.
• fresh commercial airline pilot in India earns approximately ₹1.27 lakhs per month
• A commercial airline pilot with 1 to 4 years of experience may earn ₹18.09 lakhs in yearly.

Pilot Salary in India per Month: Intermediate

• A commercial airline pilot with 5 to 10 years of experience may expect to receive ₹25.89 lakhs as yearly income in India.
• A commercial airline pilot with 5 to 10 years of experience in India earns approximately ₹2.16 lakhs per month.

Pilot Salary in India per Month: Experienced

• Expert commercial airline pilot with 10 to 17 years of experience: ₹15.26 lakhs per month
• Professional pilot with over 20 years of experience: ₹70 lakhs per month

Responsibilities of a Pilot

Here are the responsibilities which are to be fulfilled by a pilot:

• Safely operate and control an aircraft.
• Plan and execute flights safely and efficiently.
• Monitor and maintain aircraft systems.
• Communicate with air traffic control and other aircraft.
• Ensure the safety and comfort of passengers and crew.
• Respond to emergencies and unexpected events.

Salary Ranges Across Different Airlines

Here is a table of salary ranges across different airlines in India:

Airline Type	Entry-Level Pilot Salary (INR)	Senior Pilot Salary (INR)	Examples
Full-Service Carriers (FSCs)	10-15 lakhs	50+ lakhs	Air India, Vistara, IndiGo
Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs)	7-10 lakhs	30-40 lakhs	SpiceJet, GoAir, AirAsia India

Pilot Salary Based on Experience

Here is a breakdown of the average salary of pilots in India by experience level:

Experience	Salary
Freshers	₹9 LPA – ₹11.25 LPA
1-3 years	₹15 LPA – ₹25 LPA
3-5 years	₹25 LPA – ₹35 LPA
5-10 years	₹35 LPA – ₹50 LPA
10+ years	₹50 LPA – ₹1 Crore

It is important to note that these are just averages. The actual salary of a pilot can vary significantly depending on the factors mentioned above.

Pilot Salary in India: Company-Wise

Many top airline companies that hire Pilots and other staff who help passengers on board are in India. The average pilot salary across various airline companies is listed below.

Job Profile Average Annual Salary (INR)	Annual Salary (INR)
Qatar	INR 14.15 LPA
Emirates	INR 97.2 LPA
Spice Jet	INR 38 LPA
Air Asia	INR 86.3 LPA
Indigo	INR 30.65 LPA
Vistara	INR 74.1 LPA

Pilot Salary in India: Sector Wise

The salary of a pilot in India can vary significantly depending on the sector they work in. Here is a breakdown of the average salary of pilots in India by sector:

Sector	Average salary
Commercial airlines	₹46.87 LPA
Private jets	₹35 LPA
Helicopter operations	₹30 LPA
Cargo airlines	₹25 LPA
Flying schools	₹15 LPA

Pilot Salary in India: Designation Wise

Pilots having years of experience are promoted to a higher designation and are compensated with high salary packages than those who are fresh in the industry. The average Pilot Salary across the various designations are listed below.

Designation	Average Annual Salary (INR)
Pilot Captain	INR 10 LPA
Co-Pilot	INR 40 LPA
First Officer	INR 1 Crore
Flight Engineer	INR 12.31 LPA
Relief Crew	INR 60 LPA

Pilot Salary Based on Cities

The salary of a pilot in India can vary depending on their location. Here is a list of the average salary of pilots in India by their location:

Location (City)	Average salary
Delhi	₹48 LPA
Mumbai	₹46 LPA
Bengaluru	₹44 LPA
Hyderabad	₹42 LPA
Chennai	₹40 LPA
Pune	₹38 LPA
Kolkata	₹36 LPA
Ahmedabad	₹34 LPA
Jaipur	₹32 LPA

Pilot Salary in foreign Countries

 The salary of a pilot can vary significantly depending on the country in which they work. Here is a list of the average salary of pilots in some of the highest-paying countries in the world

Country	Pilot Average salary
United States	$163,416
Australia	$140,000
United Kingdom	£120,000
Canada	$187,500
Germany	€203,000
Norway	$109,352
Netherlands	$245,000
Switzerland	$211,000
Hong Kong	$11,109 per month
United Arab Emirates	$10,891 per month
Qatar	$220,000 per year

How to Become a Pilot in India: Eligibility Requirements and Qualifications

To become a pilot in India, you must meet the following requirements given below:

Educational requirements

• The candidate must have completed 10+2 (or equivalent) with Physics and Mathematics as subjects with at least 50%.
• Must have a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Aircraft Operations, or a similar field. (This is not required, but it is preferred by many airlines.)

Medical requirements

• You must pass a Class I medical examination conducted by a DGCA-approved doctor. This examination is very thorough and assesses your overall health and fitness to fly an aircraft.

Other requirements

• You must be at least 18 years old to obtain a Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
• You must be a citizen of India.
• You must have a valid passport.
• You must have a good command of English.

High Paying Airlines in India

Here are some of the highest salary paying airlines for pilots in India:

• IndiGo
• Air India
• Vistara
• SpiceJet
• GoFirst

These airlines offer competitive salaries and benefits to their pilots. They also have a good reputation for safety and reliability.

Essential Skills Required to become a Pilot

A pilot must possess the following skills:

• Advance of Maths and Physics.
• The capacity to comprehend technical data, since pilots must grasp how their aeroplane operates.
• Great situational visualisation and synchronisation.
• Excellent communication abilities.

Collaboration abilities must include the ability to critically think fast and make judgments in tough situations, the capability to stay calm and composed under any situation, professionalism, self-confidence, dedication and leadership potential, with the ability to deliver explicit directions to flight crew members and passengers.

Conclusion

The scope for pilots in India is vast and promising, offering exciting opportunities across various sectors of the aviation industry. Pilots play critical roles in ensuring safe and efficient flight operations, shouldering responsibilities that require a unique set of skills.

Effective communication, strong decision-making, situational awareness, and technical aptitude are essential pilot skills. Salaries for pilots in India can vary based on experience and sector, ranging from lakhs to lakhs per annum.

Pursuing a career as a pilot in India is rewarding, combining adventure, responsibility, and continuous learning. With the growing aviation industry, aspiring pilots can look forward to a fulfilling journey in the Indian skies.

Pilot Salary in India 2024 – FAQs

How long would it take to become a plane captain?

It is dependent on the person aspiring to be an aircraft captain. You have at least 1,500 flying hours and have to complete an Air Transport Pilots Licence (ATPL). Nevertheless, several short-haul carriers need at least 3,000 flight hours before evaluating pilots for promotions.

When are airline pilots required to retire?

Regardless of an airline employee or commercial pilot, one must retire at 65 years. And on international routes, a pilot below 60 years accompanies the pilot who is 60 years or above.

Why is it vital for a pilot to have good interpersonal skills?

Most aeroplanes need a pilot to collaborate with a co-pilot in the cabin, and some long-distance aircraft may even have three or four pilots. Pilots also collaborate with the whole of the aircraft’s staff to guarantee everybody’s security and wellbeing.

What is the distinction between a commercial pilot and an airline pilot?

An airline pilot has an agreement with a single airline and flies only for them. A commercial pilot is someone who flies personal or private aircraft, and their job is frequently freelance.

What are some of the difficulties that pilots face?

Pilots should be able to handle any pressure at the workplace to deal with any obstacles that may emerge. They must also be adaptable since they must be able to think quickly and also accommodate odd shift lengths. Flying at varying periods of the day is another problem that pilots commonly confront.

Who earns more CA or pilot?

There are various factors on which the salaries of a CA and Pilot depends, but in general pilots earn more than chartered accountants (CAs) in India.

Is pilot a very stressful job?

Yes, being a pilot can be a very stressful job. Pilots are responsible for the safety of hundreds of passengers and crew members, and they must be able to make quick and sound decisions in complex and challenging situations.