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It’s somewhat difficult to state how much money a helicopter pilot can earn. This is solely due to the fact that different pilots gain drastically different salaries. In addition, the amount of money that you can make as a helicopter pilot can change according to your geographical location. Then again, there are some standard helicopter pilot salaries that should be considered.

Generally, commercial helicopter pilots tend to make more money than private helicopter pilots, though this is not always the case. Private helicopter pilots who spend their days transporting tourists around popular tourist areas may be able to make a great deal of money during peak tourist season. Commercial pilots are usually paid on a salary basis that can vary according to the type of airline that a pilot works for.

Aside from the type of helicopter pilot that you become, your salary may also vary according to the type of helicopter that you are licensed to fly. Statistics have showed that pilots who can fly an A-109 helicopter may make around $86,000 per year, while a pilot who flies a BH-205 may only make around $75,000 per year.

Since acting as a helicopter pilot can be risky, most pilots tend to make a fair amount of money. On average, pilots can make $56,000 to $126,000. Of course, the amount of experience that a pilot has can also impact one’s salary amount. If you have just graduated from flight school or completed hands-on training, the best way to find a job that suits your salary needs is to speak with various employers.

According to the license that you have obtained, you can determine the kind of employer that will hire you. For example, if you have a CPL-H license, then you can look at various job positions offered by commercial airlines. However, if you have only obtained a PPL-H license, then the best way to determine your future salary is to speak with private helicopter guides.

In essence, gaining a job within a commercial airline will entitle you to obtain a higher salary according to the number of years that you work with that airline – this is largely a climbing system. However, if you intend to start your own helicopter ride business, then you may have to work harder in order to gain a decent salary. While this decision is yours to make, it helps to take a few factors into consideration.

Find out if the commercial airlines in your area are looking to hire new pilots. If this market is already saturated with a number of eager pilots, then you may have to fight in order to gain a lucrative position. If you want to go the private helicopter route, then seek out a tourist area that is not already filled with helicopter rides.

Clearly, the kind of salary that you will gain as a helicopter pilot depends on the type of pilot that you become. Take the time to look into every pilot position available in order to find the one that best suits your lifestyle and salary requirements.

For more information on helicopter pilot training, visit the Learn to Fly Helicopters Blog.