- Salary statistics
- Flight instructor salary
Flight instructor 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 Flight instructor
What does a flight instructor do? – Tasks and working environment
A flight instructor is responsible for training and guiding aspiring pilots or already certified pilots seeking to develop their skills further. Tasks include both theoretical classroom instruction and practical flight training in the air, often focusing on safety procedures, navigation, aircraft handling, and emergency situations. Flight instructors work at flight schools, flying clubs, or within commercial aviation and are expected to follow strict regulations while maintaining the highest safety standards. The working environment is highly varied – some days are spent on ground activities like planning and administration, while others involve cockpit instruction with students under different weather and traffic conditions.
Salary development over time
The salary for flight instructors has shown a downward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 74,400 SEK per month, then decreased to 69 800 SEK in 2023, and further to 76 200 SEK in 2024. The total decline amounts to approximately 6.2% during this period. Causes for this trend may include changing demand for instructor services, industry competition, and adaptations to a more digitalized training environment. Additionally, the economic cycle of the aviation industry, the number of training assignments, and the availability of qualified instructors influence salary levels.
Flight instructor salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 76 200 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 53,200 SEK (female, public sector, short post-secondary education under 3 years)
- Highest salary: 87,500 SEK (male, public sector, up to 2 years of secondary education)
- Hourly wage (average): 420 SEK
- Gender differences: Men 76 700 SEK, women – incomplete statistics available
- Regional differences: Varies depending on the size and location of the flight school
Education and qualifications
Becoming a flight instructor requires both theoretical and practical training in aviation, followed by specific instructor certifications. A valid pilot license, typically a commercial pilot license (CPL) or private pilot license (PPL) with sufficient flying experience, is needed first. This is followed by instructor training, which concludes with practical and theoretical exams. Additional requirements may include medical certificates and ongoing continuing education to retain instructor certification.
- Pilot certificate: PPL or CPL required as a foundation
- Instructor training: Specialized course (usually 2–6 months)
- Medical certificate: Mandatory approved doctor’s certificate
- Practical experience: Minimum flight hours and documented flying experience
- Continued education: Regular updates and refresher courses
Many flight instructors combine their work with personal flying or other roles within the aviation industry, providing a varied and stimulating daily life. Teaching also requires staying updated on new regulations and technological innovations. This makes the profession especially attractive for those who want to develop both as educators and pilots.
Common benefits and compensations
Flight instructors often have access to benefits such as wellness allowances, opportunities for further training, occupational pension schemes, and sometimes discounted flying hours for personal development. Some employers offer flexible working hours and access to modern training resources or simulators, contributing to an attractive work environment and increased professional growth.
Competition and challenges
Competition for positions as a flight instructor varies depending on demand from flight schools and the number of qualified instructors. The limited number of training spots and qualified instructors can make it difficult for recent graduates to establish themselves. The profession also demands high pedagogical skills, updated knowledge of safety regulations, and the ability to adapt to new training technologies. Market fluctuations, such as changes in the aviation industry’s economic cycle, also impact the availability of training assignments and employment opportunities.
Tips for aspiring flight instructors
To succeed as a flight instructor, it’s important to combine a strong safety mindset with pedagogical talent and clear communication skills. Being organized and meticulous facilitates handling both practical flying lessons and theoretical instruction. It’s also valuable to stay updated on new regulations and techniques, which requires curiosity and engagement. Flexibility is a key trait, as working days often vary and may involve quick adjustments. Patience and the ability to motivate students are central to creating a safe and educational environment. Networking within the industry and actively seeking further training can open new doors and contribute to a long-term career as a flight instructor.
Key facts about flight instructors
- Education level: Pilot certificate (PPL/CPL) + instructor qualification
- Work environment: Flight schools, flying clubs, and commercial airlines
- Work form: Varies between theoretical teaching and practical flying
- Demand: 412 job openings within the profession (May 2024)
- Special skills: Safety work and modern aviation technology
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, a flight instructor can move into more advanced roles, such as training manager, chief instructor, or specialized instructor for instrument flying and type courses. There are also opportunities to combine instructing with commercial flying or safety work within airlines. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecast for the pilot profession, no specific assessment is made for flight instructors due to limited data, but the current availability of job openings in the group is good. The industry’s development is influenced by air traffic growth, technological advancements, and demand for pilot training, which can create new career opportunities for qualified instructors.
Frequently asked questions about flight instructors
- What does a flight instructor earn?
- The average salary for a flight instructor is 76 200 SEK per month. - What education is required to become a flight instructor?
- A valid pilot certificate (PPL or CPL) and approved instructor training are required. - What does the job market look like?
- Currently, there are 412 job openings within the pilot and flight instructor profession. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Men have an average salary of 76 700 SEK, but complete statistics for women are lacking. - What are the biggest challenges in the profession?
- High competition for positions, requirements for continuous training, and adaptation to new educational technologies. - Where do flight instructors work?
- Most work at flight schools, flying clubs, or within commercial airlines. - How has the salary development looked over time?
- Salary development has been slightly negative over the past three years, from 74,400 SEK (2022) to 76 200 SEK (2024).
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 Flight instructor has the SSYK code 3153, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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