What kind of pay does a helicopter pilot receive? While becoming a pilot, this is a crucial factor to take into consideration. In this inflationary environment, earning a solid income is more vital than ever, and one of the best ways to achieve that is to get trained to be a pilot. Getting paid for flying in the azure sky? What a cool thing!
Some pilots earn staggering sums of money, which may astound you. Even though they make good money, the overall life of a helicopter pilot is likewise fascinating. They can get other generous benefits such as making new friends, having a good career, flying in the sky for the whole day, and having no landing limitations on the runway.
So, if you never want to endure the tedium of an office job, you can carve up a career in this field. And as the payment figure is one of the most effective drivers to convince you to be a pilot, let me tell you how much helicopters make. In this blog article, I’m going to discuss anticipated and expected pilot incomes to address their queries. Let’s have a look!
Does A Helicopter Pilot Gets Paid Well?
Some jobs pay a salary, which means that the pay is the same each month, but the pilot job is distinct. Numerous factors affect a pilot’s income, such as experience level, determination level, working hours, and essential skills.
For instance, if you have less experience with a lack of skills, you’ll probably get less paid for performing the pilot’s duties. Nowadays, various companies are willing to hire contract pilots to save money.
This is why some pilots receive a daily fee in addition to an hourly rate for hours of revenue. Crucial factors that decide how much helicopter pilots get paid can be requisite skills, degree of commitment, and level of creature comfort, all of which have a role in how much you get paid.
How Much Do Helicopter Pilots Make?
Some of them are well compensated, while others receive ordinary compensation each month. Because they are employed in several countries, their pay scale can vary. Despite all this, the type of job also matters. Let’s discuss different sorts of helicopter pilots.
Does A Pilot’s Job Type Affect Their Salary?
I know you’ll never be short of helicopter job possibilities because there are numerous kinds of chopper jobs available in different industries such as agriculture, the medical field, entertainment, and the military sectors.
Unfortunately, if you are getting fed up with your previous job and want to try something else, you can easily switch from your previous job to a pilot’s job with very little additional training. You’ll probably get three types of helicopter pilot jobs, as mentioned below:
If you have gained 20 to 25 years of experience working in private and corporate firms as a helicopter pilot with extra certifications, you’ll probably get the highest salary, up to $130,000 as a helicopter pilot. Ensure that you have all the required certificates, such as a private pilot certificate and a flight instructor certificate.
If you lack experience in piloting helicopters, you’ll probably get a medium salary of somewhere between $80,000 and $100,000. Keep in mind that if you work for a reputable, wealthy corporate firm, you will almost certainly be paid in this range.
It’s typically for newly qualified pilots, they can join as helicopter pilots with a minimum wage. I’ll recommend you get more experience in this field for higher-paying positions. For that purpose, I’ll advise you to work for tour companies such as Grand Canyon, Tuna Boat, and Las Vegas.
What Is The Starting Salary For A Helicopter Pilot?
After graduating, you’ll probably be looking for a pilot’s job with an initial salary concern. That’s okay! Due to the inflammatory situation, it’s crucial to know how much helicopter pilots make initially. To answer this titular question, I have used payscale.com.
Payscale.com estimates that the average instructor makes roughly $66,000 per year. Frankly speaking, this type of employment is a fantastic way to increase your flying hours. So, if you love to travel in the sky and want to get curiously paid for it, you must apply for a helicopter pilot job.
What Is The Average Salary Of A Helicopter Pilot?
As the pilot is considered in charge of other people’s lives while operating a helicopter, For that purpose, businesses want to make certain that their employees are competent. This implies that they will begin by taking a job that pays less than the minimum wage and struggle over and over until they can earn the highest salary feasible.
The kind and scale of the company are quite important. For example, pilots who are working for big companies or wealthy organizations typically make more money than those who work for small transportation agencies or travel agencies. In the case of working in a small travel agency, you’ll probably get paid less than $50,000.
As per my in-depth analysis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2019 estimates that a helicopter pilot has average pay of about $77,000 annually. On the other hand, helicopter pilots with the lowest salaries are paid less than $39,430, while those with the highest salaries are paid greater than $147,240.
Currently, a helicopter pilot makes an average of about $94,519 annually. Nowadays, helicopter pilots typically earn between $80,148 and $121,547 per year. Bear in mind that your payments will gradually increase as you get promoted to the upper rank. Moreover, if you have been hired, your starting salary for helicopter pilot positions can be lower than this.
What Is The Highest Salary For A Helicopter Pilot?
Several businesses offer you a competitive wage. As I indicated above, I have friends who work as pilots, and they told me that EMS, which stands for Emergency Medical Services, is renowned for offering pilots the best salaries in the industry.
A pilot that is ranked first and is thought to be the most senior will likely receive the maximum pay, which is around $376,520. However, senior or experienced pilots must work for a well-known and rich organization. As I mentioned above, if you are working in a tiny, less-developed country, your salary range may differ.
Currently, three nations are being considered as having the highest pay for their pilots. The first and foremost nation is the United States, which pays its senior pilots an annual salary ranging from $65,453 to $83,664. Further, the average hourly wage of certain companies in the US is about $42.99.
Secondly, the United Kingdom paid its most accomplished pilots an annual salary of roughly $63,724.44. Thirdly, Africa paid a high-ranking pilot an annual salary of over $29,000. These high salaries for pilots should make you shiver. As a result, if you have a lot of experience in this industry and are approachable, try to apply in these countries.
How Can You Raise Your Helicopter Pilot Salary?
If you wish to improve your salary as a pilot, there are some exclusive factors that you should take into account. For instance, get more training, more experience, and more qualifications. Here’s a comprehensive list of qualifications or certifications to maximize your salary:
Private Pilot Certification:
If you are working on a low salary as a pilot and want to maximize it, obtain your private pilot’s license to appear more qualified and experienced at work. You will probably learn about voice radio, flight maneuvers, emergency procedures, and safe landing navigation while obtaining this certificate.
Commercial Pilot Certification:
Obtaining a commercial pilot’s license is mandatory to become a professional pilot and work in commercial flight as a PIC. For that purpose, you must be able to read, speak, and write English. Furthermore, you must be 18 years old to acquire this certificate.
Turbine Transition:
Helicopters occasionally encounter risky conditions in the sky due to inclement weather, equipment problems, engine failure, and other factors. This is why the pilot needs to be aware of the turbine transition to kick off these things.
Flight Instructor Certification:
You will have a fantastic opportunity to gain more experience and develop your professionalism. This certificate is currently thought to be in high demand on the market. Significant legal changes in the US airline industry may give the impression that a flight instructor credential is required.
