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Captain Tomar Awdhesh, is a highly experienced pilot with over 3,500 flying hours on the Airbus A320. With a career spanning more than 17 years. He has Authored a comprehensive book dedicated to pilots, focusing on technical and behavioral interviews for airline pilots. This book serves as an invaluable resource for aspiring pilots. He has been mentoring pilots, helping many achieve their dream of flying jet airplane since 2008. With 17 years of experience in training, he has extensive knowledge and expertise in guiding pilots through every stage of their journey. He is known for his patient and thorough approach to training, he ensures that his students acquire the necessary technical skills and develop the confidence and professionalism required to succeed in the aviation industry. In short, Captain Tomar Awdhesh is an ace aviator, author, dedicated mentor, seasoned trainer and co-founder whose contributions to the aviation field are highly valued and respected.

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What is the Salary of a Pilot in India? 2025 Guide to Pilot Pay, Perks & Growth

The salary of a pilot in India is one of the most attractive aspects of an aviation career. With the rapid growth of India’s aviation sector, pilot salaries have soared, reflecting both the high demand for skilled aviators and the responsibilities they shoulder. In 2025, pilot salaries in India vary widely based on experience, airline, aircraft type, and rank. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about pilot earnings, from entry-level to senior captain, along with key factors that influence pay and career progression.

Pilot Salary Structure in India: 2025 Overview

Pilot salaries in India are structured by rank, experience, employer, and operational scope. Here’s a quick summary:

Entry-level pilots (Junior First Officer/First Officer): ₹1 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh per month
Senior First Officer: ₹3 lakh to ₹4.5 lakh per month
Captain: ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per month
Senior Captain: ₹12 lakh to ₹25 lakh per month
Annual packages: Range from ₹12 lakh to over ₹3 crore for the most experienced pilots.

Table: Pilot Salary by Rank (2025)

Rank	Monthly Salary (INR)	Annual Salary Range (INR)
Junior First Officer	₹75,000 – ₹1,10,000	₹9,00,000 – ₹13,20,000
First Officer	₹1,50,000 – ₹3,50,000	₹18,00,000 – ₹42,00,000
Senior First Officer	₹3,00,000 – ₹4,50,000	₹36,00,000 – ₹54,00,000
Captain	₹5,00,000 – ₹10,00,000	₹60,00,000 – ₹1,20,00,000
Senior Captain	₹12,00,000 – ₹25,00,000	₹1,44,00,000 – ₹3,00,00,000

Entry-Level Pilot Salary in India

Fresh CPL holders: Start as Junior First Officers or Second Officers.
Typical starting salary: ₹1.2 lakh to ₹3 lakh per month (₹12–₹36 lakh per year)
Cadet program graduates: May get structured stipends and smoother entry into salaried roles, often at competitive rates.

Mid-Level and Senior Pilot Salaries

First Officers (2–5 years’ experience): ₹2.5 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh per month
Senior First Officers (5–10 years): ₹3 lakh to ₹4.5 lakh per month.
Captains (10+ years): ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per month; senior captains can earn even more, especially on international routes or wide-body aircraft

Airline-Wise Pilot Salary Comparison

Airline	Entry-Level Annual (INR)	Senior Annual (INR)
Air India	₹30 lakh	₹60–80 lakh
IndiGo	₹30 lakh	₹60–90 lakh
SpiceJet	₹8–10 lakh	₹38–52 lakh
Vistara	₹20 lakh	₹40–74 lakh
Akasa Air	₹8–12 lakh	₹40–55 lakh

Major airlines (Air India, IndiGo): Offer the highest pay and fastest salary growth.
Regional airlines: Lower starting salaries but can be stepping stones to larger carriers

Salary Progression: Years of Experience

Experience Level	Monthly Salary (INR)	Annual Salary (INR)
0–2 years (Entry)	₹1,00,000 – ₹3,00,000	₹12,00,000 – ₹36,00,000
3–10 years (Mid)	₹2,00,000 – ₹7,00,000	₹24,00,000 – ₹84,00,000
10+ years (Senior)	₹6,00,000 – ₹15,00,000+	₹72,00,000 – ₹2,16,00,000+

Salary by Aircraft Type

Narrow-body aircraft (A320, B737): Standard pay as per above tables.
Wide-body aircraft (B777, B787, A350): Commanders and senior captains receive higher allowances and bonuses, with monthly salaries exceeding ₹12–15 lakh
Regional jets/turboprops: Lower salary bands, but good for building experience.

Additional Allowances and Perks

Pilot compensation in India goes beyond base salary:

Flying hour allowances: Paid per hour flown, ranging from ₹1,500 to ₹8,450 per hour depending on rank and aircraft
Wide-body allowance: Up to ₹75,000/month for captains.
Layover allowance: ₹1,600–₹2,200 per night for domestic stays; higher for international.
Performance bonuses: Profit sharing, annual bonuses.
Medical and insurance: Health, accident, and life insurance for self and family.
Travel benefits: Free or discounted tickets for self and family.
Retirement and provident fund: Especially in government airlines.

Factors Affecting a Pilot’s Salary in India

Experience and seniority: More years = higher pay.
Type of airline: Full-service, low-cost, regional, or charter.
Aircraft type: Wide-body pilots earn more.
Flight hours: More hours flown = higher variable pay.
Location: Metro-based airlines may pay more.
Market demand: High demand periods can push salaries up.
Unionization and contracts: Collective bargaining can affect pay scales.

Career Growth and Salary Potential

Fastest growth: Cadet pilots in major airlines can reach captaincy in 8–10 years.
International opportunities: Indian pilots with experience and type ratings are in demand in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and beyond.
Management roles: Senior captains can transition to training, safety, or management roles with higher compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the starting salary of a pilot in India in 2025?
Entry-level commercial pilots earn ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh per month, depending on the airline and role

Q2: How much does a captain earn in India?
Captains earn ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per month, with senior captains making up to ₹25 lakh monthly in top airlines

Q3: Which airline pays the highest salary to pilots in India?
Air India and IndiGo offer the highest salaries, with senior pilots earning up to ₹80–90 lakh per year.

Q4: Do pilots get additional allowances?
Yes, including flying hour pay, wide-body allowances, layover pay, medical insurance, and travel benefits.

Q5: Does pilot salary grow with experience?
Absolutely. Salary increases significantly with years of service, aircraft type, and promotions.

Conclusion

The salary of a pilot in India is among the highest in the country’s job market, starting from ₹1 lakh/month for freshers and reaching over ₹15 lakh/month for senior captains. Factors like experience, airline, aircraft type, and operational scope play a big role in determining earnings. With the right training and career planning, pilots can enjoy not only high pay but also a rewarding, dynamic profession. Explore more about pilot careers, salaries, and training at Golden Epaulettes Aviation.

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GE has a team of experienced faculty that includes Qualified Instructors. Golden Epaulettes Aviation is an ISO certified pilot training institute based in New Delhi, that offers multiple courses from the ab-intio till the cockpit of commercial airliner. GE has been a leading pilot training academy in India since a decade now and we fully recognized our responsibility towards aviation industry as a whole. There has been a high demand of competent, skilful professional pilots in the industry and we are committed to develop & train a pool of professionals to fulfil the need of the industry.