Cargo Pilot vs Airline Pilot – Salary, Job Roles, Qualifications & More
If you’re considering a career as a pilot, you may be wondering whether you’d prefer to fly an airline’s passenger jet or a cargo plane. The decision of becoming a cargo pilot vs an airline pilot can be difficult, especially for someone new in the aviation space. Both jobs are rewarding, but they have many differences, like salary, working hours, job responsibilities, and lifestyle.
In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the comparison between a cargo pilot an airline pilot. We’ll study and analyze their salaries, job roles, qualifications, career growth, and more
Let’s get started.
Cargo Pilot vs Airline Pilot – Key Differences
Both airline pilots and cargo pilots fly airplanes. But they don’t do the same work
- Airline pilots fly commercial planes that carry passengers.
- Cargo pilots fly planes that carry goods, packages, and freight instead of people.
Although the two professions require almost the same flying skills, the daily tasks, routine, and lifestyle can vary greatly. Understanding the differences between cargo pilots and airline pilots is crucial, enabling you to make an informed decision.
Cargo Pilot vs Airline Pilot – Job Role, Duties and Responsibilities
Cargo Pilot vs Airline Pilot: Airline Pilot Job Role, Duty, and Responsibilities
Airline pilots are in charge of flying passengers from one destination to another. They usually interact with co-pilots, cabin crew members, and ground personnel. An airline pilot’s job isn’t just flying the plane — they also make sure passengers are safe and comfortable
Airline Pilot: Main Duties
- Check flight plans and weather
- Inspect the aircraft before flying.
- Communicate with the air traffic controller.
- Monitor instruments and fuel during the flight.
- Handle emergencies and ensure smooth landings.
Cargo Pilot vs Airline Pilot: Cargo Pilot Job Role, Duty, and Responsibilities
Like their commercial counterparts, cargo pilots are tasked with flying planes loaded with goods. Flights are generally done early in the morning and sometimes late at night. Unlike other pilots, cargo pilots do not contact passengers, but that does not mean that they do not have other responsibilities.
Cargo Pilot: Main duties:
- Load and secure cargo properly
- Fly under different weather and time conditions.
- Handle special or hazardous goods.
- Meet tight delivery schedules.
Cargo Pilot vs Airline Pilot: Job Role Summary
In short, airline pilots focus on flying passengers and safety, while cargo pilots focus on transporting goods safely and on time.
Requirements and Qualifications – Cargo Pilot vs Airline Pilot
Airline Pilot Requirements and Qualifications:
- Complete 12+ in Physics and mathematics.
- A Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
- Class 1 Medical fitness certificate
- Good English communication skills
- Completion of an airline pilot course
- To become an airline pilot in India, you need to meet the standards set by the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation).
- Training in passenger safety, etiquette, and the airline pilot uniform code
Cargo Pilot Requirements and Qualifications
To become a cargo pilot, you also need the same education qualification, CPL, and strong flying experience, especially when flying at night and in bad weather.
Other cargo pilot requirements include:
- Instrument rating for flying without visual references
- Training in cargo handling
- Knowledge of dangerous goods regulations
Unlike airline pilots, cargo pilots do not have to follow strict dress codes like the airline pilot uniform.
Salary Comparison – Cargo Pilot vs Airline Pilot
Cargo Pilot vs Airline Pilot: Airline Pilot Salary
An airline pilot’s salary in India can vary based on their experience, the airline they work for, and where they’re based
- Airline pilot salary in India: ₹1.5 lakh to ₹8 lakh per month
- Airline pilot salary per month globally: $6,000 to $16,000+
- Experienced international pilots salary: ₹1+ crore per year
Cargo Pilot vs Airline Pilot: Cargo Pilot Salary
The cargo pilot’s salary is quite high, especially when flying for major cargo airlines.
- Cargo pilot salary in India: ₹1.2 lakh to ₹5 lakh per month
- Cargo plane pilot salary in India and globally: $4,000 to $14,000+ per month
- Pilots working with top air cargo carriers pilot jobs (like FedEx, DHL, and UPS) often earn more.
Cargo Pilot Salary vs Airline Pilot Salary per month in India ( in INR)
Monthly Cargo Pilot Salary vs Airline Pilot Salary in India ( in INR)
| Pilot Salary: Experience Level | Airline Pilot Salary | Cargo Pilot Salary |
| Trainee/Cadet | 25,000 – 80,000 | 40,000 – 1,00,000 |
| Junior First Officer | 1.8 lakhs to 2.5 lakhs | 2 lakhs to 2.5 lakhs |
| First Officer | 2.5 lakhs – 4 lakhs | 2.5 lakhs – 4 lakhs |
| Senior Officer | 4 lakhs – 6 lakhs | 4 lakhs – 6 lakhs |
| Captain | 6 lakhs – 10 lakhs | 6 lakhs – 9 lakhs |
| Senior Captain | 10 lakhs – 12 lakhs | 8 lakhs – 10 lakhs |
Cargo pilot salary can be slightly lower, but becomes similar to an airline pilot’s salary with more experience.
Who Earns More?
In some cases, cargo pilots working long-haul routes with major carriers can earn more than commercial pilots. But airline pilots may get more travel perks, bonuses, and lifestyle benefits.
So, when it comes to cargo pilot salary vs airline pilot salary, both can be well-paid, but it depends on the employer, experience, and the type of aircraft flown.
Cargo Pilot vs Airline Pilot – Course and Training
Both career paths begin with an introductory pilot course, which includes theory, simulator sessions and flight training. However, there are some extra things airline pilots and cargo pilots need to learn:
Airline Pilot Course in India
- Airline Pilot Course: Ground School Training (6–8 months)
- Air Navigation
- Aviation Meteorology
- Air Regulations
- Technical General
- Technical Specific
- Human Performance & Limitations
- Radio Telephony (RTR-A)
- Airline Pilot Course: Flying Training (12–14 months)
- Minimum 200 hours flying time
- Dual and solo flights
- Instrument flying (IFR)
- Night flying
- Cross-country flights
- Check rides & skill tests.
- Airline Pilot Course: DGCA Exams & CPL Issue
- Appear for all DGCA written exams.
- Pass the flying test
- Obtain Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
- Airline Pilot Course: Type Rating Training
- Airplanes used by airlines, like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737
- Ground training
- Simulator training
- Emergency procedures
- Multi-crew coordination (MCC)
- Jet orientation course (JOC)
- Airline Pilot Course Includes:
- Crew resource management
- Passenger handling
- Aviation law and regulations
- Airline pilot qualifications for domestic and international routes
Cargo Pilot Course in India
- Cargo Pilot Course: Ground School Training (6–8 months)
- Air Navigation
- Aviation Meteorology
- Air Regulations
- Technical General
- Radio Telephony (RTR-A)
- Airframe & Engines (Basic)
- Cargo Pilot Course: Flying Training (12–14 months)
- Minimum 200 flying hours
- Solo and dual flights
- Cross-country flying
- Night flying
- Instrument flying
- Simulator training
- Cargo Pilot Course: DGCA Exams & CPL Issue
- Pass all DGCA theory exams.
- Pass the skill test with a DGCA examiner.
- Get Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
- Cargo Pilot Course: Type Rating Training
- Aircraft-specific simulator & ground training (e.g., Boeing 737F, Airbus A300, ATR72)
- Aircraft systems and performance
- Normal and emergency procedures
- Full-flight simulator sessions
- Line-oriented flight training (LOFT)
Cargo Pilot Course Focuses On:
