- Salary statistics
- Aviator salary
Aviator salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
60 900 - 99 000 SEK / month
Transport
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Salary progression Aviator
What does an Aviator do? – Tasks and work environment
An Aviator primarily works on operating and navigating aircraft within civil or military aviation. Tasks include flight planning, communication with air traffic controllers, monitoring aircraft systems, and ensuring passenger and crew safety throughout the flight. Aviators are expected to have high technical competence and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure. The work environment can vary greatly, from long periods in the cockpit to administrative tasks on the ground and extensive safety routines. Working hours may include nights, weekends, and long absences from home, which demands high flexibility and stress resilience.
Salary development over time
The salary development for Aviators has shown a downward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 74,400 SEK per month, which decreased to 69 800 SEK in 2023 and further to 76 200 SEK in 2024. This represents a total reduction of approximately 6.2% over the period. The decline can partly be explained by changes in the aviation industry, where factors such as increased competition, efficiency measures, and altered working conditions have affected salary levels. Despite high qualification requirements and ongoing demand for experienced pilots in certain segments, the overall salary level has slightly decreased recently. Market fluctuations and global developments in the aviation sector may continue to influence wages in the future.
Aviator salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 76 200 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 53,200 SEK/month (female, public sector, post-secondary education shorter than 3 years)
- Highest salary: 87,500 SEK/month (male, public sector, upper secondary education up to 2 years)
- Hourly wage: 420 SEK
- Gender differences: Men earn 76 700 SEK/month, highest female salary is 74,700 SEK, no complete data for women
- Regional differences: No complete statistics available
Education and qualifications
To work as an Aviator, a comprehensive education in aeronautics and aviation is usually required, often in the form of pilot training at an approved flight school or within the Armed Forces. The education combines theoretical studies with practical flight training and concludes with necessary certifications. Besides formal requirements, high demands are placed on health, multitasking ability, and responsibility.
- Flight training: Commercial pilot license (CPL) or equivalent, 18–24 months
- Certifications: Approved pilot certificates (e.g., CPL or ATPL)
- Practical training: Mandatory supervised flight hours
- Prerequisites: Complete secondary education, approved health test
- Tips for choosing: Select reputable schools with good reputation and opportunities for further training
Aviators must continuously update their knowledge as aeronautical technology and regulations develop rapidly. Working across different time zones and under varying climate conditions also requires good adaptability and strong physical health.
Common benefits and compensations
An Aviator often has access to benefits such as per diems for international service, favorable pension schemes, wellness contributions, discounted travel, and various insurances. Some employers also offer bonuses for longer employment durations or extra compensation for inconvenient working hours. The extent of benefits can vary depending on the employer and employment type.
Competition and challenges
Competition for positions as an Aviator is often fierce, especially with larger airlines and within commercial aviation. The training costs are high, and admission requirements are very selective, meaning many apply for the profession but only a small proportion succeed. The industry is strongly influenced by economic fluctuations and global events, which can lead to periods of increased demand or temporary oversupply of trained pilots. For those wishing to work internationally, excellent language skills and adaptability to different regulations and work environments are also essential.
Tips for aspiring Aviators
To succeed as an Aviator, it is good to develop a strong sense of responsibility and the ability to handle stressful situations calmly and decisively from an early stage. Precision and technical interest facilitate both training and daily work, as flight safety relies on meticulous checks of routines and technology. Good communication skills are crucial, as collaboration with colleagues and contact with air traffic control occur in multiple languages and under pressure. Flexibility and willingness to work inconvenient hours are also important, as well as physical and mental endurance to handle long shifts and time zone changes. Early internships or trainee programs provide valuable experience and increase the chances of employment after training.
Key facts about Aviator
- Education level: Commercial pilot training (CPL) 18–24 months
- Work environment: Aircraft cockpit, irregular working hours
- Job market: About 412 available jobs within the profession
- Occupational group: Pilots etc. (SSYK 3153)
- Salary range: 53,200–87,500 SEK/month
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, an Aviator can advance to captain, instructor, or transition to administrative roles within the airline, such as safety manager or training supervisor. However, development in the profession is affected by fluctuations in the availability of jobs, and according to the Employment Service’s forecasts, it is difficult to give an exact assessment of future prospects due to limited data. Nonetheless, there is a continuous need within the pilot profession, reflected in the fact that there were 412 available jobs during the latest survey. The industry is expected to continue demanding high competence and flexibility, especially if air traffic returns to previous levels after economic fluctuations.
Frequently asked questions about Aviator
- What does an Aviator earn?
- An Aviator has an average salary of 76 200 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience and employer. - How has the salary development for Aviators been?
- Salaries have decreased from 74,400 SEK (2022) to 76 200 SEK (2024), which is about a 6.2% decline. - What education is required to become an Aviator?
- Commercial pilot training (CPL) or equivalent, including certification and flight training. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Statistics show higher salaries for men, but complete data for women is lacking. - What work environments does an Aviator encounter?
- Mainly in the cockpit with varying working hours and often long absences from home. - How does the job market look for Aviators?
- There are approximately 412 available jobs within the pilot profession, but the future outlook is uncertain according to the Employment Service.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 53500 kr | 57900 kr | |
| 35-44 | 60700 kr | 63800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 83000 kr | 85700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 97000 kr | 99100 kr | |
| Snitt | 73100 kr | 76200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 82% | 62800 kr | 68000 kr |
| 35-44 | 84% | 75600 kr | 81600 kr |
| 45-54 | 93700 kr | 97700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 93200 kr | 96300 kr | |
| Snitt | 72% | 80100 kr | 84800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 82% | 62800 kr | 68000 kr |
| 35-44 | 84% | 75600 kr | 81600 kr |
| 45-54 | 93700 kr | 97700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 93200 kr | 96300 kr | |
| Snitt | 72% | 80100 kr | 84800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 48600 kr | 52500 kr | |
| 35-44 | 54100 kr | 55900 kr | |
| 45-54 | 79200 kr | 81600 kr | |
| 55-64 | 98200 kr | 100000 kr | |
| Snitt | 70400 kr | 72800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 48600 kr | 52500 kr | |
| 35-44 | 54100 kr | 55900 kr | |
| 45-54 | 79200 kr | 81600 kr | |
| 55-64 | 98200 kr | 100000 kr | |
| Snitt | 70400 kr | 72800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 53800 kr | 58400 kr | |
| 35-44 | 60700 kr | 63900 kr | |
| 45-54 | 83000 kr | 85800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 96500 kr | 98600 kr | |
| Snitt | 73500 kr | 76700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 82% | 63600 kr | 68900 kr |
| 35-44 | 84% | 76200 kr | 82400 kr |
| 45-54 | 94100 kr | 98100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 93200 kr | 96300 kr | |
| Snitt | 72% | 81000 kr | 85800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 82% | 63600 kr | 68900 kr |
| 35-44 | 84% | 76200 kr | 82400 kr |
| 45-54 | 94100 kr | 98100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 93200 kr | 96300 kr | |
| Snitt | 72% | 81000 kr | 85800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 48300 kr | 52400 kr | |
| 35-44 | 54000 kr | 55800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 79100 kr | 81500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 97600 kr | 99400 kr | |
| Snitt | 70500 kr | 73000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 48300 kr | 52400 kr | |
| 35-44 | 54000 kr | 55800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 79100 kr | 81500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 97600 kr | 99400 kr | |
| Snitt | 70500 kr | 73000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 82% | 54100 kr | 56400 kr |
| 35-44 | 84% | 66700 kr | 69100 kr |
| Snitt | 72% | 59800 kr | 62000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 82% | 54100 kr | 56400 kr |
| 35-44 | 84% | 66700 kr | 69100 kr |
| Snitt | 72% | 59800 kr | 62000 kr |
About the data
All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.
All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.
Profession Aviator has the SSYK code 3153, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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Pilot at Svensk Luftambulans – Gällivare, Lycksele, Mora, and Karlstad
Pilots etc.
Thu, 18 Jun 2026 - 09:43
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