Salary of Commercial Pilots in China in 2024

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China houses one of the world’s most competitive aviation industries with 57 airlines currently operating. Of the major carriers in the mainland, nine are full service in addition to 11 low-cost options which provide connectivity to nearly every corner of the world by themself or through its global network of alliances and codeshare agreements.

There are over 10,000 pilots in China, who were facing a short supply of aviators some years ago. The world’s second most populated country and one of the biggest by land area still continues to boom in the air, thanks to its citizens having a massive amount of disposable income, which is spent primarily on leisure travel domestically and internationally.

Pilots Salary in China

Pilots in China are some of the best paid in the world and the highest in Southeast Asia. In the continent, only Middle Eastern careers are known to pay better salaries to their commanders.

Recently, China incentivized pilots to immigrate into the country by offering salaries up to $300,000 per year for experienced personnel without a tax liability.

Over 1 billion Chinese passengers fly each year, so the need for volume is clear for all to see. Locally, China faces a shortage of pilots so a majority of the airlines’ cockpit staff is imported from elsewhere.

The Asian giant nation is a popular destination for those in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States due to its incredibly friendly tax laws.

Why does China Fail to Attract Pilots?

Despite offering some of the highest salaries to pilots across the world, China has faced issues when it comes to hiring pilots. Locally, not enough people are qualified and there is a lack of flying schools in the country.

A pilot’s training requires investments amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars, with courses conducted overseas more often than not.

For expatriates, China poses a huge cultural challenge with the language barrier being one of the most crucial hindrances that pilots and their families face.

Despite being paid high salaries that are tax-free, foreigners need to pay through their roof for basic necessities like accommodation, education, and insurance – neither of which are commonly offered by airlines in the Arab region.

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How to become a pilot in China?

Pilot jobs in China are very rewarding from a financial standpoint but require a massive investment as well, which admittedly takes numerous years to recover. There are cadet programs as well as opportunities to independently join flying schools, though their airports are stationed abroad more often than not, so the cost incurred does not lower very much.

Consequently, cadet programs are preferred as they provide pilots with the chance to have guaranteed employment upon the conclusion of their education, training, and licensing.

An uncommon but cheap method to venture into the industry is also by joining the military and training as an Air Force pilot. This avenue came into existence in the United States many years back but is chosen by individuals globally, however, the conversion of certifications and licenses is a time-consuming and expensive process which is mitigated by following a more conventional pathway to becoming a pilot.

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How much do Air Force pilots earn in China?

The training that goes behind becoming an Air Force pilot is not very cumbersome from a financial viewpoint, so the reward is significantly lesser in this case. Those individuals who are flying in the AF earn roughly $60,000 per year although they are entitled to a number of benefits from the government like accommodation which commercial airlines do not provide.

China’s civil services operate in an incredibly secure environment, so there is not much information available regarding how an Air Force pilot’s transition to the commercial flying industry is made, though by looking at global standards, it is fair to assume that a trainee in the AF needs to spend a few years there before moving into the private sector.

Air China – China’s Flag Carrier

In a highly competitive Chinese aviation industry, Air China (CA) holds the honor of being the country’s flag carrier. It is owned 53% by the Air China Group, a state-owned arm that is also responsible for Air Macau, 18% by Cathay Pacific, and the remainder of it is publicly traded.

Air China, the main airline, parents a number of other cargo, low cost and regional operators in and around China alongside AMECO Beijing, a supplier of aircraft maintenance equipment in China. CA’s headquarters is in the capital city of Beijing, while an operating hub is also set up in the western city of Chengdu.

Air China operates a fleet of nearly 500 aircraft and flies to 203 destinations around the world. It has been in existence for only 36 years but remains one of the best Southeast Asian airlines in terms of hospitality, on-time performance, and connectivity domestically and internationally close to China.

The Chinese flag carrier’s fleet is dominated by a mix of Airbus and Boeing airplanes although recently they placed trust in Comac, a local aerospace development giant. CA already operates 35 Comac aircraft and has over 100 more on order with deliveries due until June 2031. Comac’s planes, at this stage, are limited to short-haul flying.

Air China is part of the Star Alliance, the largest of the world’s three most renowned airline alliances, and has codeshare agreements with over 30 carriers from around the world. Air Canada is Air China’s joint venture partner, whereas an interline agreement is held with Pakistan International Airlines.

Read Also: Pilots Salary Across All of the Major US Airlines

Air China Pilot Salary and Requirements

Air China expects the following requirements to be fulfilled by its pilots.

ICAO license (FAA licenses are not accepted) with Frozen ATPL
Minimum experience of 500 flying hours on nominated aircraft
Current type rating on nominated aircraft
500+ hours on nominated aircraft for first officers
1,000+ hours on nominated aircraft for captains
Flown on nominated aircraft within the last 12 months OR 24 months if currently flying on any other Multi-Crew Jet Aircraft
Under 45 years of age
Hold an ATPL and have completed Secondary School OR Hold a CPL and hold a College or University Degree/Diploma

Air China pays its first officers a salary ranging from $11,000 per month to $13,200 per month while a $145 per flying hour fee is paid. Captains, on the other hand, are paid between $16,500 and $25,000 per month as a base, along with $225 for every flying hour.

CA guarantees at least 80 flying hours each month to its pilots. The appended salary numbers are indicative and expatriates may be paid significantly higher as they are not offered cashless benefits and their compensation is commensurate to the existing figure.

FAQs about China Pilots’ Salary

1) How much do pilots earn in China?

Pilots in China earn anywhere between $60,000 to $300,000 annually. This number is dependent on seniority, airline, etc., and can increase if an expatriate is joining.

2) Which is the flag carrier of China?

Air China is the flag carrier of China. It operates from its primary hubs of Beijing’s Capital and Daxing airports and is a member of the Star Alliance network.

3) How much do captains at Air China earn?

Air China’s most experienced captains can earn up to $300,000 in basic salary while the overall payout including flying hours can be exponentially higher.

4) How to become a pilot in China?

An individual wishing to become a pilot can enroll in a flying school independently or through an airline’s cadet program. A cheaper method of becoming a pilot is also by joining the Air Force first, then converting qualifications to become an airliner.

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