Piloting an aircraft is one of the most dexterous jobs in Nigeria, hence pilots are well-paid. The job’s exquisiteness makes it highly selective and requires training and commitment.
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Pilots with oil and gas businesses like Shell and Chevron make $9,500 – $26,500 per month. Petroleum firms Pilots working with airlines earn more. A pilot’s income depends on experience, type ratings, certificates, rank, flying hours, and other considerations.
A pilot job is one of the most envied jobs in Nigeria since it pays well. Each airline has its own pilot salaries and benefits.
NIGERIAN PILOT SALARY PER RANK
Now, a Nigerian pilot’s salary is mainly dependent on the pilot’s rank or level of experience. Below is the list in detail of Nigerian Pilots’ Ranks and their respective salaries:
Flight Captain
The aircraft commander is the most experienced pilot on the flight deck and is called “The Authority.” The left-seat captain is responsible for the plane and its passengers. A captain’s uniform has four stripes.
The Authority bases the salary of Nigerian flight captains on the aircraft company for which they work, the number of hours they fly monthly, their skilled experience, and their qualifications/certificates.
A Nigerian flight captain’s (local pilot) salary ranges from ₦500,000 – ₦1,000,000 per month.
A Nigerian flight captain’s (international pilot) salary ranges from ₦1,000,000 – ₦2,000,000 per month.
Senior First Officer (SFO)
An SFO (Senior First Officer) is a right-seat “co-pilot.” An SFO has at least 1,400 flying hours, though it varies per airline.
The Senior First Officer is the plane’s second-in-command. If the flight captain is incapacitated, the SFO takes over. Shirts and jackets of senior first officers have three stripes.
A Senior First Officer’s salary ranges from ₦400,000 – ₦800,000 per month.
First Officer (FO)
First Officer (FO) is a “co-pilot” rank. First officers have less experience than senior first officers and have two stripes on their uniform blouses and jackets.
However, some airlines assign all new pilots the rank of the first officer for the first four to five years, regardless of their previous experience.
A First Officer’s salary ranges from ₦300,000 – ₦600,000 per month.
Second Officer (SO)
A cruise pilot is a SO (Second Officer). He or she merely sits at the controls for the duration of the trip, allowing the Senior First Officers or First Officers to sleep and be well-rested and relaxed for the landing.
A Second Officer’s salary ranges from ₦250,000 – ₦500,000 per month.
Novice/New Pilot
New Pilot is an entry-level pilot using Commercial Pilot License from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
A New Pilot’s salary ranges from ₦200,000 – ₦500,000 per month.
Please note that Nigerian Pilot salary varies because each airline firm has its own salary range for its pilots and their respective ranks.
Nigerian Pilot Ranks.
Similar to other professions, the money a pilot can earn in Nigeria depends on his rank and position:
- Junior flight officer
- Flight officer
- First officer
- Senior first Officer
- Captain
- Senior captain
- Commander
- Senior commander
- Commercial Pilot License
What steps can a pilot take to earn a great salary?
Be a healthy pilot
Adopt a healthy way of living. Enjoy a healthy diet, daily exercise, and enough sleep. It’s important to take care of one’s health, so staying away from substances like alcohol and tobacco is advised.
Be a valuable worker.
Be trustworthy, a great teammate, genuinely happy, and responsive. Respect your company’s values, which probably place a strong emphasis on customer experience. It’s important to have a positive reputation in the business since it precedes you.
Research
Find out how much various airlines are paying. Legacy airlines like United and Delta are renowned for paying highly. You could be surprised by what other airlines offer, though, given the variety of incentive pay and perks. Check your network to see whether anyone has the necessary details.
Negotiate
Be open to negotiating. Even though you may not be able to, you can try negotiating your bonuses. Prioritize. Ensure you are being clear when you ask for something. While more experienced pilots may prefer more personal time off, a young pilot may be more concerned with salary.
Prepare
Ensure you are adequately prepared, whether it’s your first or sixth interview for a job. Prepare for the interview for the job. Try to find out as much as the company you are interviewing for.
That’s all on Nigerian Pilot Salary. Hope this article will help.