Zambian Pilot Salary: See How Much They Earn

Becoming a pilot is a childhood dream for lots of children, a dream which some even carry to adulthood. However, only a few eventually pursue this career and achieve their goals. The main reason for this is actually the cost of being a pilot. No doubt, the pilot profession is one of the most coveted professions in Zambia.

Zambia’s aviation industry is growing, and being a pilot in Zambia is seen as a good way to make money. The salary of a Zambian pilot depends on various factors such as experience, the airline they work for, and the type of aircraft they fly. Here, we’ll talk about the top 10 pilot salaries in Zambia and answer some common questions about this job.

Top 10 Zambian Pilot Salaries:

Captain (Wide-body): $10,000-$15,000 per month
Captain (Narrow-body): $7,000-$12,000 per month
First Officer (Wide-body): $6,000-$8,000 per month
First Officer (Narrow-body): $4,500-$6,500 per month
Captain (Turboprop): $3,500-$5,000 per month
First Officer (Turboprop): $2,500-$3,500 per month
Helicopter Pilot: $2,000-$4,000 per month
Flight Instructor: $2,500-$3,500 per month
Cargo Pilot: $2,500-$4,000 per month
Private Jet Pilot: $4,000-$8,000 per month
As we can see, the salary of a Zambian pilot can vary significantly based on their job title and the type of aircraft they operate. However, being a pilot in Zambia comes with its benefits. For example, pilots in Zambia get good health insurance, benefits when they retire, and discounts on travel.

Apart from the fact that the job seems fun and command a lot of respect from both people in and outside the profession, their basic salary is mouth-watering, not to talk of the bonuses and other allowances they are entitled to.

When you pick the top five paying jobs in Zambia, be sure to include a pilot. Zambian pilots not only enjoy the luxury of being well paid, but their value in the society is also absolutely respected and they are placed in a class of their own. Just like medicine, it takes quite a lot to become a pilot.

Apart from the hefty sum they pay to be trained in pilot schools, getting into a pilot school is quite competitive and given the delicacy of the job, you should expect so. It is not enough to graduate from an aeronautical school; you must also obtain a license as a trained and qualified pilot before you can be considered one; a certificate that cannot be obtained without spending a significant amount of money.

Although the profession seems to be unidirectional as they only work in the airport and are may not fit in anywhere else, the field is broad and has lots of specializations. Pilots are divided into two main categories: the fixed and the rotary wings. A fixed-wing aircraft is one which generates lift caused by the forward airspeed movement of the vehicle and the shape of the wings. A rotary-wing aircraft is a heavier-than-air machine that uses wings generated by the rotary wings that revolve around a mast. The operations and salaries of pilots in each aircraft vary.

Have you ever wondered how much pilots earn? Great! This post talks about the salaries of pilots in Zambia.

Zambian Pilot Salaries: How much Do Zambian Pilots Earn?

Flying an aircraft is one of the most delicate jobs to do. It is one of the reasons why it reflects in their bulky pay and bonuses. The profession not only commands respect roundabout, its delicacy and sometimes complexity makes it a highly selective profession that requires lots of training. If you want to become a pilot, then you must be ready to spend. Labour that will surely bring multiple profits if successful.

Generally, an entry-level pilot earns a minimum of KW200, 000 regardless of his or her position, grade or level of experience. It should be noted that fixed-wing pilots earn less than rotary pilots. Most people start as fixed-wing pilots. After some years of experience, they become captains and later convert to rotary pilots with much higher pay.

As of 2018, most aircraft companies pay in US Dollars. Pilots in oil and gas companies like Shell and Chevron earn about $10, 000 – $25, 000 per month . Airline pilots who work for oil and gas companies earn significantly more than their airline counterparts. The take-home of a pilot usually depends on his or her year of experience, type ratings, rank, flying hours and other basic factors.  Let us take a quick look at how much pilots in various type ratings earn.

Second officers earn between KW1m and KW1.8m, while a new-entry Captain earns between KW2.6m and KW3.3m monthly.

Commercial Pilot License: An entry-level pilot with a Commercial Pilot License from the Zambian Civil Aviation Authority earns between KW35,000 and KW100,000 — depending on the airline, job description and agreement. Getting a job without type rating can sometimes be challenging

A First Officer: A first officer pilot in Zambia earns between KW80,000 and KW3,00,000 depending on the airline, flying hours, and work conditions. This is the first stage after the type rating.

The Authority: The Authority on the aircraft, usually called a captain earns between KW150,000 and KW500,000 per month, depending on the airline, total flying hours, and working conditions.

It should be noted that pilots for local airlines earn about KW80,000 per month on average, while pilots that fly international airlines are paid KW2 million monthly on average.
Question 1: How does the salary of a Zambian pilot compare to that of other African countries?

The salary of a Zambian pilot is competitive compared to other African countries. But it’s important to remember that salaries in this field can vary a lot depending on the airline and the type of plane being flown. Most of the time, pilots in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya make more money than their counterparts in Zambia.

Question 2: What are the requirements to become a pilot in Zambia?

To become a pilot in Zambia, one must meet specific requirements. These include holding a valid commercial pilot’s license, having a minimum of 1500 hours of flight experience, and meeting the medical and physical fitness requirements set by the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority. Before getting a pilot’s license, people must also go through a lot of training and pass several tests.

In the end, being a pilot in Zambia can be a financially and emotionally rewarding job. Even though a Zambian pilot’s salary can change a lot depending on a number of factors, the industry offers a lot of chances to grow and move up. By meeting the requirements and putting in the necessary time and effort, one can build a successful and prosperous career as a Zambian pilot.