1. Pilot Salary in India per Month

The Indian aviation industry is on a high growth curve with new airlines being launched, the existing ones expanding their fleet, and foreign carriers recruiting Indian pilots at an unprecedented rate. As a result of this demand, the profession not only provides prestige and travel opportunities, but also one of the most rewarding salary packages in the country.

So, how much salary does a pilot earn in month in India? The question is answered by the stage you are in your career path, whether you are a trainee pilot or a senior pilot flying international flights. Now, let us look at this in detail.

2. Pilot Salary in India per Month: Trainee Pilot

A trainee pilot has passed the flight training and earned a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) but is still undergoing training with an airline.

• Salary- 40,000-1 lakh/month
• At this point, the emphasis is on gaining flight hours, learning airline procedures, and preparing for type rating.
• The pay is not high, but it is a necessary stepping stone to becoming a First Officer.

3. Pilot Salary in India per Month: First Officer / Co-Pilot

The First Officer (Co-Pilot) is seated in the cockpit with the Captain and is an important part of navigation, communication, and aircraft control.

• Domestic airlines: 1.5-3 lakhs/month
• International carriers: 4-5 lakh/month (can be higher in case of wide-body aircraft)
• Each 5001,000 flying hours can add significantly to the pay of a First Officer.

4. Pilot Salary in India per Month: Captain

The dream milestone of every pilot is to become a Captain. Captains have the responsibility to ensure the safety of the aircraft and the passengers and the crew.

• Domestic airlines: 4 -10 lakh/month
• International flights: 8 lakh+ to 12 lakh+/month

Senior Captains with long-haul aircraft experience earn up to 1 crore per year, which is one of the highest-paying jobs in India.

5. Pilot Salary in India per Month: Cargo Pilot

Cargo pilots fly aircraft with goods rather than passengers. The job is associated with night flights, extended layovers, but with good remuneration.

Salary range: 3-6 lakh/month

It is known that leading carriers such as Blue Dart, FedEx, and international cargo airlines provide competitive packages.

6. Starting Pilot Salary in India

A newly hired commercial pilot earns an average of between 1.5 -2 lakh per month. This is already more than most entry-level corporate jobs in India, and there is a lot of scope for growth in a few years.

7. What is the Average Pilot Salary in India?

Considering various positions, aircraft, and airlines, the average salary of a pilot in India is approximately 4 -6 lakh per month. This average is, however, biased upwards by Captains- junior pilots may start lower, and senior pilots earn much higher.

8. Commercial Pilot Salary in India – Monthly Breakdown

9. Airline Pilot Salary in India – How Much Do Indian Airlines Compensate Their Employees?

Domestic Airlines:

IndiGo / SpiceJet / AirAsia / Akasa Air:

• First Officers: 1.5-3 lakh/month
• Captains: 4-7 lakh/month

International Airlines (Hiring Indian Pilots):

Qatar Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines:

First Officers: 4-6 lakhs/month

Captains: 8-12 lakh/month+

10. Captain Pilot Salary vs First Officer Pilot Salary in India

Captain Pilot

• In charge of command and decision-making.
• Salary: 4-12 lakh/month with airline and aircraft type.

First Officer / Co-Pilot

Helps the Captain in navigation and aircraft control.

Salary: 1.5-5 lakh/month according to experience and airline.

Pay Range Overlaps

It is not uncommon that a Senior First Officer in a major airline would be earning nearly the same amount as a newly promoted Captain. This indicates how dynamic and performance-based aviation compensation can be.

11. Factors Affecting a Pilot’s Salary in India

Experience Level: Salaries increase greatly with hours of flying.

Airline Company: Legacy or premium airlines are more expensive than low-cost carriers.

Type of Aircraft: Wide-body aircraft pilots (flying long-haul international routes) are paid much more than narrow-body domestic pilots.

International vs Domestic Flights: International postings are usually accompanied by better remuneration and other allowances.

12. Perks & Benefits

Other than good salaries, pilots also receive a variety of perks:

• Free or heavily discounted tickets to self and family
• Generous layover allowances
• Full health and life insurance
• Retirement saving packages
• Housing & uniform allowances (depending on airline)

13. How to Become a Pilot in India: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Pass Class 12 with Science (Physics and Maths are compulsory)
2. Class I medical fitness DGCA Medical Tests
3. Enroll in a reputable flight school in India
4. Best Pilot Training School in India: IGI is the DGCA-approved training school with state-of-the-art simulators and experienced mentors to help you get ready to work in the aviation industry.
5. Have a minimum of 200 flying hours of CPL Training.
6. Do a Type Rating (not mandatory but desirable) on a particular aircraft, such as Airbus A320 or Boeing 737.
7. Apply to Airlines as a Trainee or First Officer and start your professional career.

Read more: How to Become a Pilot in India: A Step-by-Step Guide

14. Conclusion

The profession of a pilot is challenging yet very rewarding. The profession promises unparalleled financial growth and status, with a meager stipend as a trainee to multi-lakh monthly salaries as a Captain.

At the Indian Group of Institutions (IGI), we assist those who have a passion to become an aviator to make the transition to a profession. Our DGCA-approved training, state-of-the-art simulators, and placement assistance make your path to a well-paying career in the aviation industry start here.

Soar high in the sky, with IGI as your take-off point.