How much does a Balloon pilot make

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  2. Balloon pilot
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Balloon pilot

69 800 kr

Pilots etc.

53 200 - 87 500 kr / month

Transport

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Balloon pilot

Average salary 69 800 kr
Males 70 000 kr
Females 0 kr
2 Likes 0 Comments 3 Vacant jobs ->

What does a hot air balloon pilot do? – Tasks and work environment

A hot air balloon pilot is responsible for operating and navigating hot air balloons, often with passengers onboard, under various weather conditions. Tasks include careful route planning, safety checks before and after flights, and communication with ground crew. Balloon flying also requires interpreting weather data and making quick assessments to ensure a safe journey. The work environment varies from open fields at takeoff and landing to long hours outdoors in changing climates, demanding high physical endurance and mental concentration.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, hot air balloon pilots have experienced a slight downward trend in salary. In 2022, the average salary was 74,400 SEK per month, decreasing the following year to 71 200 SEK. In 2024, the average salary continued to decline, now at 69 800 SEK per month, representing a total decrease of approximately 6.2% over three years. This trend can be explained by factors such as decreased demand for commercial balloon flights, increased competition within the profession, and changing market conditions. Despite this decline, the salary for hot air balloon pilots remains high compared to many other transport-related professions, reflecting the high responsibility, safety, and specialized skills required.

Hot air balloon pilot salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 69 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 53,200 SEK/month (female, public sector)
  • Highest salary: 87,500 SEK/month (male, public sector, upper secondary education max 2 years)
  • Hourly rate: 420 SEK
  • Gender differences: Men earn an average of 70 000 SEK, women’s data is not specified (highest female salary 74,700 SEK, lowest 53,200 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Limited data, variations may occur depending on demand and employer

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a hot air balloon pilot involves specialized training in aviation, including theoretical and practical components. To work professionally, certification as a balloon pilot is required, issued by the Transport Agency after approved training, practice, and examination. Many employers also prefer experience in flying and good knowledge of meteorology and safety procedures.

  • Formal education: Hot air balloon pilot training, covering theory and practice (approximately 6–12 months)
  • Certification: Commercial balloon pilot certificate from the Transport Agency
  • Practical training: Mandatory flight training and supervised flights under experienced pilots
  • Prerequisites: Minimum age 18, approved medical certificate (medical class 2)
  • Tips: Basic knowledge of meteorology and navigation increases chances of certification

Working as a hot air balloon pilot often involves early mornings or late evenings, when wind conditions are most favorable for flying. The profession combines technical responsibility with a strong connection to nature and interactions with people, making it a unique role for those seeking variety and freedom in their work life.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Hot air balloon pilots are often offered benefits such as flexible working hours, access to specialized equipment, and opportunities for further training in aviation. Other common compensations include per diems for longer assignments, insurance coverage, and sometimes bonuses for particularly demanding flights or peak seasons.

Competition and challenges

The profession of hot air balloon pilot belongs to a narrow and specialized labor market, meaning relatively few positions but also limited competition among qualified candidates. Challenges include managing weather-dependent workdays, irregular hours, and a large responsibility for passenger safety. Safety standards are high and ongoing training is required to maintain certification and skills. Additionally, demand is affected by seasonal variations and economic conditions, which can make it difficult to predict workload and income over time.

Tips for aspiring hot air balloon pilots

To succeed as a hot air balloon pilot, it’s important to combine technical skills with a strong safety mindset and good teamwork. Precision is crucial, as each flight requires meticulous planning and equipment checks. Stress resistance helps in handling unexpected weather changes and quick decision-making. Good physical condition facilitates physically demanding tasks during takeoff and landing, while service orientation and communication skills are vital for passenger safety. Engaging in continuous education and having a genuine interest in aviation increase the chances of a successful career.

Key facts about hot air balloon pilots

  • Education level: Specialized balloon pilot training with certification
  • Work environment: Outdoors, varying times and weather conditions
  • Work form: Often seasonal and project-based
  • Demand: Limited number of positions, 395 available jobs in related professions
  • Special skills: Meteorology and safety procedures

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a hot air balloon pilot can develop into an instructor for new pilots, work with advanced route planning, or take leadership roles within flying clubs and event companies. With increased experience, there are also opportunities to start their own business in tourism flights or specialized transports. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecasts, no specific assessment is made for hot air balloon pilots due to limited data, but the pilot profession has about 395 available jobs, indicating some demand in related fields. The future for hot air balloon pilots is strongly influenced by tourism development and public interest in experience-based activities.

Frequently asked questions about hot air balloon pilots

  • What does a hot air balloon pilot earn?
    - A hot air balloon pilot has an average salary of 69 800 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience and employer.
  • What education is required to become a hot air balloon pilot?
    - It requires completed balloon pilot training and certification from the Transport Agency.
  • Are there gender differences in salaries for hot air balloon pilots?
    - Men earn an average of 70 000 SEK, while the highest female salary is 74,700 SEK and the lowest 53,200 SEK; full statistics for women are lacking.
  • What is the job market like for hot air balloon pilots?
    - The market is small and specialized, but there are 395 available jobs within related professions according to current statistics.
  • What personal qualities are important for a hot air balloon pilot?
    - Safety awareness, stress resistance, technical skills, and good communication are central qualities.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for hot air balloon pilots?
    - The highest salary is 87,500 SEK/month (male, public sector), and the lowest is 53,200 SEK/month (female, public sector).

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-08-09 16:39:46

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Balloon pilot is 87500 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 74700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Balloon pilot is 53200 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 62900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 48800 kr 51500 kr
35-44 55900 kr 58100 kr
45-54 72500 kr 74000 kr
55-64 94400 kr 95700 kr
Snitt 67900 kr 69800 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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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 Balloon pilot has the SSYK code 3153, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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