How Much Salary Do Indian Pilots Earn After a CPL? Real Numbers Explained
If you’re aiming for a life in the cockpit — the uniform, the roar of engines, and the thrill of flying — one thing you’ll surely wonder is:
“What’s the real salary of a pilot in India after getting a CPL?”
Let’s break it down honestly.
No hype. No textbook lines. Just the real picture of earnings, the timeline, and what you can expect in your journey ahead.
First Truth: Getting a CPL Doesn’t Mean You Start Earning Immediately
Clearing CPL is like finishing the first level.
To get paid to fly, you need:
- CPL
- RTR(A)
- Type Rating (TR)
- Airline Selection/Training + Line Training
Most fresh CPL holders go through months — sometimes a year or two — of waiting and preparing before landing their first cockpit job.
Salary starts after you join an airline and complete training.
Expected Salary Timeline After CPL in India
| Stage | Experience | Typical Pay Range |
| Just after CPL (waiting phase) | 0–24 months | ₹0 (no salary) |
| After getting Type Rating | 0–6 months | ₹0 (training period) |
| Junior First Officer (JFO) | First year in airline | ₹1.2L – ₹2.4L/month (stipend + allowances) |
| First Officer | 1–4 years experience | ₹3.5L – ₹6L/month |
| Senior First Officer | 4–7 years | ₹6L – ₹8.5L/month |
| Captain | 7+ years | ₹9L – ₹16L/month |
| Senior Captain | 12+ years | ₹15L – ₹22L/month |
Disclaimer: Salary ranges differ among the airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air, Vistara, SpiceJet, and also depend on the type of aircraft, location of the base, number of hours flown, and the pilot’s rank.
International Pilot Salary After CPL
If you fly abroad (especially Middle East & SE Asia):
| Role | Salary Range |
| First Officer | ₹8L – ₹15L/month |
| Captain | ₹15L – ₹35L/month |
Foreign jobs require converting your licence + clearing local regulatory exams.
Does Everyone Become a Captain?
If you’re disciplined, medically fit, and continue training & flight hours — yes.
A captain’s journey is long, but the rewards are big:
- Better schedules
- Major decision-making role
- Financial stability + prestige
Most Indian captains hit ₹2 crore+ annual income with experience.
