- Salary statistics
- Helicopter pilot salary
Helicopter pilot 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 Helicopter pilot
What does a helicopter pilot do? – Tasks and work environment
Helicopter pilots are responsible for flying helicopters across various sectors, such as medical transport, police operations, firefighting, passenger traffic, and offshore transport. Tasks include planning and executing flights, communicating with air traffic control, safety and aircraft checks, and navigation in varying weather and terrain conditions. The work environment is dynamic and may involve long shifts and standby duties, often at high altitudes and in challenging environments. Flexibility, stress resilience, and quick decision-making under pressure are often required.
Salary development over time
The salary trend for helicopter pilots has shown a decline 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 decrease of approximately 6.2% during the period. The trend can be explained by factors such as increased competition, changes in demand for transport services, and some sectors becoming more efficient or shrinking. Education requirements and certification costs also influence salary levels, while the market remains relatively small and sensitive to economic fluctuations.
Helicopter pilots often work in teams with technicians and rescue personnel and must quickly adapt to unexpected situations, such as rescue operations or adverse weather conditions. Collaboration and communication are therefore crucial skills for success and satisfaction in the profession.
Helicopter pilot salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 76 200 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 53,200 SEK/month (female, public sector, post-secondary education less than 3 years)
- Highest salary: 87,500 SEK/month (male, public sector, secondary education up to 2 years)
- Hourly wage: 420 SEK/hour (based on 166 working hours/month)
- Gender differences: Men earn an average of 76 700 SEK/month; specific figures for women are unavailable, but the highest known salary for women is 74,700 SEK/month
- Regional differences: Limited data available, but salary levels may vary depending on employer and type of assignment
Education and qualifications
To work as a helicopter pilot, extensive training and several certifications are required. The typical pathway involves approved pilot training, followed by practical experience and specialized courses. In addition to formal requirements, pilots must undergo regular medical examinations and continuous training to maintain valid licenses.
- Formal pilot training: Approved helicopter pilot training (1.5–2 years at an approved flight school)
- Pilot certificate: CPL(H) – Commercial Pilot License (Helicopter)
- Medical requirements: Approved aviation medical certificate, Class 1
- Practical experience: Flight hours under supervision required for certification
- Continued education: Recurring courses and simulator training
- Prerequisites: Complete secondary education and good English skills
Common benefits and compensations
Helicopter pilots are often offered benefits such as per diems when working away from home, compensation for unsociable hours, extra vacation days, and pension schemes. Some employers also provide wellness stipends, insurance, and opportunities for further training as part of employment conditions.
Competition and challenges
The competition for helicopter pilot positions is fierce due to the limited number of employers and the high educational requirements. The market is strongly affected by economic cycles, public funding, and technological developments. Many pilots must be prepared to work irregular hours and quickly adapt to new tasks. The physical and mental demands of the profession, along with the need for ongoing training, make it challenging to establish and remain in the industry.
Tips for aspiring helicopter pilots
To succeed as a helicopter pilot, it helps to combine technical interest with practical problem-solving skills. Attention to detail and responsibility are crucial for handling advanced flight equipment and ensuring passenger safety. Good stress resilience is necessary to stay calm in pressured situations, while teamwork skills facilitate cooperation with crew and ground staff. A strong interest in flying and a continuous desire to improve make it easier to learn new technology and regulations. Flexibility is beneficial for standby duties and irregular schedules, and good physical and mental health are prerequisites for meeting the demands of the profession.
Key facts about helicopter pilots
- Education level: Approved helicopter pilot training and CPL(H) certificate
- Work environment: Varies, often outdoors and in challenging environments
- Typical work pattern: Irregular hours, standby duties, team collaboration
- Demand: Approximately 412 job openings within the pilot profession and related fields
- Special skills: Safety procedures, navigation, and technical troubleshooting
Career paths and future prospects
After 3–5 years as a helicopter pilot, opportunities exist to advance to instructor, flight safety officer, or chief pilot. Some choose to specialize in areas such as medical flights or firefighting. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, no precise assessment is made for the helicopter pilot profession due to limited data, but generally, there are good opportunities within the pilot sector, with 412 job openings in Sweden. Future prospects are influenced by societal needs, technological development, and economic cycles, emphasizing the importance of ongoing training and openness to different types of assignments.
Frequently asked questions about helicopter pilots
- What does a helicopter pilot earn?
- A helicopter pilot has an average salary of 76 200 SEK per month. - How to become a helicopter pilot?
- Approved flight training and a CPL(H) certificate are required. - What is the job market like for helicopter pilots?
- There are approximately 412 job openings, but competition is high. - What are the duties of a helicopter pilot?
- Tasks include flying, navigation, safety checks, and crew collaboration. - Are there gender differences in salary?
- Men earn an average of 76 700 SEK; the highest known salary for women is 74,700 SEK, but data is limited. - What education is required to become a helicopter pilot?
- Approved helicopter pilot training and CPL(H) certification are necessary, along with medical approval. - What are the highest and lowest salaries for helicopter pilots?
- The highest salary is 87,500 SEK and the lowest 53,200 SEK per month.
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 Helicopter 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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