- Salary statistics
- The air traffic controller
The air traffic controller
53 200 - 87 500 kr / month
Transport
Salary progression The air traffic controller
What does a Flight Engineer do? – Tasks and Work Environment
A flight engineer works alongside the captain to ensure a safe, efficient, and smooth flight. The role involves navigation, monitoring aircraft systems, communication with air traffic control, and assisting with checklists and procedures throughout the flight. The work environment is characterized by high safety standards, precision, and collaboration in the cockpit, with varying working hours often including night shifts and weekends. Flight engineers also participate in pre-flight preparations, weather data analysis, and follow strict routines to meet both technical and human challenges.
Salary Development Over Time
The salary development for flight engineers has shown a downward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 74,400 SEK per month, which decreased to 71 200 SEK in 2023 and further to 69 800 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a decrease of approximately 6.2% over the period. Causes of the negative salary trend may relate to changing market conditions, decreased demand for air travel, and increased competition in the industry. The airline industry has also been affected by economic fluctuations and changes in education levels, which can lead to adjustments in salary structures for flight engineers. Despite this, the profession remains attractive in terms of salary levels.
Flight Engineer Salary – Complete Overview
- Average salary: 69 800 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 53,200 SEK/month (female, public sector, post-secondary education <3 years)
- Highest salary: 87,500 SEK/month (male, public sector, secondary education up to 2 years)
- Hourly wage: 420 SEK
- Gender differences: Men earn on average 70 000 SEK/month, highest female salary is 74,700 SEK/month. Specific average salary for women is not available.
- Regional differences: Available data is limited, but variations occur depending on employer and region.
Education and Qualifications
The path to becoming a flight engineer requires a combination of theoretical education, practical flight training, and certification according to aviation authority requirements. Basic flight training is conducted at approved schools, followed by advanced practice and licensing. Applicants also need good English skills and medical certificates.
- Formal education: Traffic pilot training (typically 18–24 months)
- Certification: CPL/ATPL (Commercial Pilot License/ Airline Transport Pilot License)
- Practical training: Flight hours under supervision and simulator training
- Prerequisites: Complete secondary education, approved medical examination
- Language skills: Very good English proficiency
Many flight engineers build their experience by starting at smaller airlines before advancing to larger international operators. This path provides valuable routine in various flying conditions and increases employability with larger employers.
Common Benefits and Compensation
In addition to base salary, flight engineers often receive allowances for international assignments, overtime pay, wellness contributions, and access to staff tickets. Some employers also offer pension schemes, health insurance, and extra leave during inconvenient working hours.
Competition and Challenges
The competition for positions as a flight engineer is intense, especially at larger airlines and attractive bases. The industry is sensitive to economic fluctuations and changes in travel demand. Technological advances impose increased requirements for continuous training and adaptability. Additionally, the profession involves long shifts, irregular hours, and high responsibility, requiring both physical and mental resilience. Uncertainty regarding future recruitment needs and industry recovery after global crises can also impact opportunities for recent graduates.
Tips for Aspiring Flight Engineers
To succeed as a flight engineer, it is beneficial to combine technical interest with strong problem-solving skills and stress resilience. Attention to detail is crucial, so focus on following routines and safety procedures during training. Good communication skills facilitate teamwork in the cockpit and improve interaction with colleagues and air traffic control. Flexibility and willingness to work irregular hours are important, as is a strong motivation for continuous development through further education and training. A professional and service-oriented attitude contributes to a safe and positive experience for passengers and crew. Working purposefully with both theory and practice increases chances of employment in a competitive industry.
Key Facts About Flight Engineer
- Education level: Traffic pilot training + certification (CPL/ATPL)
- Work environment: Cockpit, high safety focus, irregular hours
- Typical employment: Permanent, often full-time
- Demand: 412 available jobs within the profession (May 2024)
- Special skills: Navigation, aircraft systems, English
Career Paths and Future Outlook
After three to five years as a flight engineer, there are opportunities to advance to captain through additional experience and training. Career paths can also lead to instructor roles, flight operations management, or specialization in aircraft types. Forecasts from the Employment Service do not provide an exact assessment for flight engineers due to limited data, but within the pilot group, there are 412 available positions. Future prospects are influenced by industry recovery and growth, but experience and further education enhance career development opportunities.
Common Questions About Flight Engineers
- What does a Flight Engineer earn?
- The average salary is 69 800 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience and employer. - What education is required to become a flight engineer?
- Traffic pilot training and certification (CPL/ATPL) are mandatory, often lasting 18–24 months. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, men earn on average 70 000 SEK, while the highest female salary is 74,700 SEK; average salary for women is not available. - What is the work environment like for a flight engineer?
- The work environment is cockpit-based with a focus on safety, teamwork, and irregular hours. - What are the career prospects?
- No specific forecast exists for the profession, but within the pilot group, there are 412 available jobs (May 2024). - What personal qualities are important?
- Attention to detail, stress resilience, and teamwork skills are central to the role. - What is the highest and lowest salary for a flight engineer?
- The highest salary is 87,500 SEK and the lowest is 53,200 SEK, depending on gender, education, and sector.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | 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 |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 42500 kr | 47600 kr | |
| 25-34 | 84% | 60200 kr | 63800 kr |
| 35-44 | 94% | 71200 kr | 76800 kr |
| 45-54 | 90000 kr | 93000 kr | |
| 55-64 | 87200 kr | 89400 kr | |
| Snitt | 75% | 75400 kr | 79100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 42500 kr | 47600 kr | |
| 25-34 | 84% | 60200 kr | 63800 kr |
| 35-44 | 94% | 71200 kr | 76800 kr |
| 45-54 | 90000 kr | 93000 kr | |
| 55-64 | 87200 kr | 89400 kr | |
| Snitt | 75% | 75400 kr | 79100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39600 kr | 41700 kr | |
| 35-44 | 50100 kr | 50800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 66400 kr | 67400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 96600 kr | 97600 kr | |
| Snitt | 64900 kr | 66000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39600 kr | 41700 kr | |
| 35-44 | 50100 kr | 50800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 66400 kr | 67400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 96600 kr | 97600 kr | |
| Snitt | 64900 kr | 66000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 49200 kr | 51800 kr | |
| 35-44 | 56000 kr | 58200 kr | |
| 45-54 | 72700 kr | 74200 kr | |
| 55-64 | 93800 kr | 95100 kr | |
| Snitt | 68100 kr | 70000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 42500 kr | 47600 kr | |
| 25-34 | 84% | 61100 kr | 64500 kr |
| 35-44 | 94% | 71300 kr | 76900 kr |
| 45-54 | 90000 kr | 93000 kr | |
| 55-64 | 87200 kr | 89400 kr | |
| Snitt | 75% | 76000 kr | 79700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 42500 kr | 47600 kr | |
| 25-34 | 84% | 61100 kr | 64500 kr |
| 35-44 | 94% | 71300 kr | 76900 kr |
| 45-54 | 90000 kr | 93000 kr | |
| 55-64 | 87200 kr | 89400 kr | |
| Snitt | 75% | 76000 kr | 79700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 50000 kr | 50800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 66500 kr | 67400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 95900 kr | 96900 kr | |
| Snitt | 64800 kr | 65900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 50000 kr | 50800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 66500 kr | 67400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 95900 kr | 96900 kr | |
| Snitt | 64800 kr | 65900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 84% | 48500 kr | 54400 kr |
| 35-44 | 94% | 67200 kr | 72500 kr |
| Snitt | 75% | 54100 kr | 59800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 84% | 48500 kr | 54400 kr |
| 35-44 | 94% | 67200 kr | 72500 kr |
| Snitt | 75% | 54100 kr | 59800 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 The air traffic controller has the SSYK code 3153, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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