Aviation Career Guide: Roles, Salary 2025 & Future Scope

Updated on Jun 30, 2025 02:37 IST
Akansha Bisht

Akansha BishtSenior Executive

An Aviation career in India offers a promising path for people who are passionate about the aerospace industry. With the country's increasing market which is driven by air travel demand there are diverse Aviation career opportunities.

The popular jobs are Aircraft Electrical Installers or Technicians, Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, etc. The Aviation salary offered at entry-level is around approx. INR 3-6 LPA, for mid-level profiles it is around approx INR 6 - 12 LPA and for senior-level it is around approx INR 30 - 50 LPA. 

Aviation graduates can either go for jobs or further pursue BBA or MBA.  

Aviation Salary in India

Here are some of the top Aviation jobs:

Job Profiles

Description

Average Salary

Pilots

Aircraft are flown and controlled by them during takeoffs, landings, and scheduled routes

INR 34.6 LPA

Airport Operations Managers

The manager of the airport's operations centre oversees and addresses complicated problems

INR 13 LPA

Aircraft Manufacturing Engineers

In addition to investigating the aerodynamic performance of aircraft and building materials, their main responsibilities include developing aircraft and propulsion systems

INR 12 LPA

Quality Control Personnel

Inspectors of quality control remove or discard any equipment and items that do not meet the requirements

INR 3.5 LPA

Aircraft Electrical Installers or Technicians

Aeroplane electricians set up and maintain the electrical systems and equipment in aeroplanes

INR 5.3 LPA

Note: The salary has been taken from Ambitionbox.com.

Aviation Top Recruiters

Candidates can check the list of top recruiters of Aviation graduates below:

Aviation Top Recruiters

Air India

Go Air

Vistara

Yatra

Spice Jet

Airbnb

Air Asia

Airport Authority of India

Aviation Career: Core Sectors

Candidates can see the top sectors where Aviation graduates can work:

Sector

Description

Logistics Sector

Logistics management ensures efficient transport and storage of goods and information from origin to consumption to meet consumer demands.

Airline Sector

An "airline" is a company providing air transportation services for passengers and freight, typically using jet aircraft, but sometimes helicopters.

Aviation Company

An aviation company offers numerous job opportunities, primarily focused on designing, maintaining, and flying aircraft, as well as managing airport operations and aircraft maintenance.

Airport Terminals

The airport terminal provides dining and shopping options for travellers transitioning between ground transportation and aircraft, supported by airport and aviation teams.

Best Aviation Colleges for Placements

Candidates can see the list of colleges with high package:

Aviation Colleges

Average Package 

Speed Jet Aviation

3 - 42 LPA

Indraprastha Institute of Aeronautics

8 - 20 LPA

The Bombay Flying Club

3 - 10 LPA

Srinivas University

4.5 - 10 LPA

Skybird Aviation

3.96 - 9.96 LPA

Gujarat University

8.75 LPA

Wingsss College of Aviation Technology

8.5 LPA

NMIMS, Mumbai

8.5 LPA

Hindustan Aviation Academy

8 LPA

Note: The info is taken from other sources and can be different.

Aviation Career FAQs

Q. What are the qualifications for India's top Aviation colleges?

A. The following are general requirements that must be met to apply to the best aviation colleges in India:

  • The age requirement to apply for the course is 17 years old.
  • At the diploma level, a candidate must have received a minimum of 50% of the possible points in their class 12 or an equivalent exam taken in India by a recognized board.
  • Students must pass the class 12 or equivalent test from a science stream to enrol in the pilot/aviation engineer program. The requirements for graduating level are the same.
  • Students from any stream who received a 50% overall grade in their 12th-grade exam or its equivalent are eligible to apply for entry-level positions in aviation management, cabin crew, or ground staff.

Q. Is Aviation a good career?

A. Yes. It is suitable for those interested in aeroplanes and flying. It has many job roles. Not just pilot, ATC, ground crew, air hostess etc. Salaries are high. Lucrative incentives should also be noted.

Q. Is Aviation hard to study?

A. Studying Aviation basically requires dedication and a strong commitment towards learning. It also has mastering complex subjects such as aerodynamics, aircraft systems, navigation, weather patterns, and aviation regulations. 

Aviation career syllabus usually have very tough practical training in simulators and actual flight hours which demand precision and attention to the detail. 

So, yes, Aviation can be a little hard to study but nothing is impossible if the student is really very passionate about working in the field.

Q. Does Aviation have a future?

A. Yes. Aviation has a bright future. Industry is changing every decade. New technologies are emerging. Sectors are blooming. Pilots are in high demand. Other aviation roles are also growing rapidly.

Q. Is Aviation a stressful job?

A. Yes, Aviation is a stressful career. You need to be 24/7 alert. Everything should be checked inadvance. No delay or faults are allowed. Proper rest may become a dream. Safety is a must.

Q. Why Choose Aviation?

A. Candidates can check the benefits below:

  • Major airlines such as American Airlines, Air Europa and IndiGo emphasized expanding their horizons by 68%.
  • It is estimated that within the next 20 years, it would be necessary for the industry to hire and train around and about 3 million recruits to fulfil the demands put forth by the Aviation sector.
  • During the projected time frame, between 2022 and 2029, the aviation market is expected to grow at a rapid pace
  • According to MoCA's figures, there are 2,50,000 direct jobs available in the Aviation sector today.
  • Almost 79% of the graduates with a degree in Aviation are employed and leading a life which they consider to be a wish fulfilment. 
  • Aviation as a sector is holistically connected with almost 95% of the leading sectors in the world like Trade, Economy, Healthcare and Agriculture.

Q. What are the emerging trends in Aviation?

A. Aviation industry is blooming. Technology is advancing. New trends are emerging. Everything is upgrading now.

Below listed are some of the key emerging trends in Aviation:

  • Sustainable Aviation
  • Advanced Air Mobility
  • Digital Transformation

Q. What are the courses after Aviation?

A. Completed your aviation course? Thinking what to do now? Here you go! refer to this table below. It gives you an idea of some courses. These may help you study further and gain high package.

Courses

BBA

MBA

Table of content
  • Popular Aviation Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Aviation Colleges in India
  • Popular Exams
  • Popular Aviation Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Popular Aviation UG Courses
  • Popular Aviation PG Courses
View More

Popular Aviation Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Aviation Colleges in India. Learn more about these Aviation colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
2.98 L - 3.08 L
3.8
Ranked #3 Private University in India. Placement with Fortune 500 Companies
1.8 L - 5.4 L
4.1
3.7
3.9
4.4
4.1

Popular Private Aviation Colleges in India

1.35 L - 5.84 L
4.3

Aviation Applications open. Apply Now

3.75 L
6 LPA
12 K - 2.5 L
2.7 L - 7.6 L
4.7
1.8 L - 5.4 L
4.1
4 Courses
1.35 L - 9.25 L
3.5 - 4.3 LPA

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Aviation. Students interested in pursuing a career on Aviation, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Apr '25

SSAT 2025 - Last Date to Apply (with late fee)

TENTATIVE

Feb '25

SSAT 2025 - Last Date to Apply

TENTATIVE

25 Oct ' 25 - 30 Apr ' 26

CUCET 2026 Phase 1 Application Form

25 Oct ' 25 - 1 May ' 26

CUCET 2026 Phase 1 Exam

Popular Aviation Specializations

Following are the most popular Aviation Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

Popular Aviation UG Courses

Following are the most popular Aviation UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Aviation PG Courses

Following are the most popular Aviation PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

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Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 2 months ago

One should study the Pilot course in order to make a career in the Aviation industry. Many people aspire to have the lifestyle and pay scale of a pilot. Other than the surface-level benefits of pursuing the course, one can also aim for a pilot course out of his/ her passion. Just the fact that a car

...Read more

D

Diya Nihalani

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

To become an Airhostess in India, the process is very simple. You will need to just complete your Class 12 from a recognised board and then meet the eligibility criteria to get admission to an Air Hostess institute.

Get admission to an institute and develop your skills in customer service, personalit

...Read more

G

Gunjan Dhawan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Air Hostess courses are majorly offered at the certification and Diploma levels. Instead of choosing a specific course, I personally believe you should look for a top institute for Air Hostess that will provide you with the right knowledge and skills, alongside great placement options in India. Mean

...Read more

M

Mohit Datta

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

The average Air Hostess salary in India is Rs. 5.9 LPA in India but it can totally depend on the airline, experience, and skills of a person to determine their salary. Also the salary of an Air Hostess is based on the type of flights they work for like International flights are high paying if we com

...Read more

L

Lalit Rastogi

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

The Air Hostess qualification for girls and boys is pretty much similar. For example, Class 12 from any stream is mandatory, with a certification or degree that is DGCA-approved. The age limit is also similar for both girls and boys, only there's a minor height difference, which is a minimum of 155

...Read more

I

Ishita Uniyal

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

The Air Hostess courses are majorly offered at the Diploma and certification levels. Hence, the course fee structure of every institute can differ depending on the type of course they are offering. For example, the duration, level, and mode of every course can be different, plus some institutes also

...Read more

A

Akansha Bisht

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

If you really want to be a Pilot in the future, opting for an online course is not a good idea, I believe. The practical is equally important in a Pilot training as the theoretical knowledge. Though you can cover theory topics online, for flight training, you'll need to attend the physical classes.

G

Gunjan Dhawan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

The Pilot salary in India is based on the years of experience, the airline they are flying for, and the type of Pilot they are. However, a Commercial Pilot's salary in India is:

·        InterGlobe Aviation - INR 52 LPA

·        Air India - INR 36.5 LPA

·        Spicejet - INR 47.4 LPA

·        JetAirwa

...Read more

M

Mohit Datta

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

See, the minimum qualification you'll need to obtain is to pass Class 12 from a recognised board of education with PCM subjects (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics). Your age must be 17 years or older for a Private Pilot License (PPL) and 18 years for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
A medical exa

...Read more

I

Ishita Uniyal

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

For a Pilot course license, first meet the eligibility criteria, which include not only the qualification, but you'll also need to get a Class 2 Medical Certificate from a DGCA-approved examiner and obtain a DGCA Computer Number.

After this, you'll enroll in a DGCA-approved flying school, log the nee

...Read more

L

Lalit Rastogi

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

In my opinion, one of the best Pilot courses after 12th is the Commercial Pilot License (CPL) program. It is one of the most common pathways to start their professional career. It will give you the theoretical knowledge and practical flight training to fly a commercial aircraft.
Meanwhile, you can a

...Read more

S

Sreetama Shrivastava

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

It depends on the course level and type you choose. Every Flying/Pilot institute designs its own programs; hence, the duration varies based on the curriculum of these programs. These programs are generally divided into theoretical classes and practical sessions. If you go for a degree course like BT

...Read more

A

Akansha Bisht

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Pilot courses are majorly offered at the certification level, but some institutes also offer Diploma and undergraduate degree programs. So, the Pilot course fees can vary depending on the course level, type, and the institute, starting from INR 10,000 and going up to INR 1.16 Crore.

R

Rashmi Thakur

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Why not! It's a high-demand profession with a huge salary potential in India. You can become a Commercial Pilot, an IAF Officer, a Private Pilot, and so on. India has many major airline companies operating in domestic and international flights, like IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, etc.

Being

...Read more

N

Nikita Chauhan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Of course. Aeronautical engineers can easily find high-paying job roles in the defense, space research, and automobile sectors where they can put their skills to use for the research, design, analysis, and maintenance of high-tech systems and high-performance vehicles, including military aircraft, d

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V

Vidhi Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, optometrists are often hired in the aviation industry for vision screening of pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff. Clear vision is a safety priority in this sector.

They conduct eye check-ups, refraction tests, and color vision assessments. Aviation medical centers, airlines, and airport health

...Read more

J

Jaya Shukla

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, some distance learning colleges offer an MBA in Aviation online:

Online MBA in AviationCourse ProviderCourse Fees
Online MBA in Airline and Airport ManagementSree Pashmi Institute of Management and ScienceNA
MBA in Aviation ManagementUPES OnlineNA
MBA in Aviation Management (Part Time)MAPLESNA
MBA in Aviation Management (Part Time)Avalon Academy, PatnaNA

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.

A

Atul Arora

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, a few online learning platforms and colleges offer free Online Aviation courses, which are short-term and skill-based. Here are some top options among them:

Online Aviation coursesCourse Providers
NPTEL - Advanced Aircraft MaintenanceIIT Nagpur
Digitalisation in Aeronautics and Space SpecializationCoursera
NPTEL - Space Flight MechanicsIIT Kharagpur
Analytical Mechanics for Spacecraft DynamicsCoursera

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.

R

Rashmi Srivastava

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 months ago

There is no fixed Aviation salary in India, since the salary package for every job profile varies depending on the authority & responsibility, experience, demand of work, skills, etc. For instance, both the Pilot and Flight Attendant work for the Aviation industry, but their salary packages vary bas

...Read more

G

Gunjan Dhawan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Under Civil Aviation, you'll find 3 major categories: Commercial air transport, which includes scheduled and non-scheduled passenger, cargo flights, etc.
Then Aerial work, in which aircraft are used for specialised services like agriculture, photography, surveying, rescue operations, etc. 
Lastly, Gen

...Read more

M

Mohit Datta

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

A career in Aviation is fun, dynamic, thrilling, but never boring. No matter what specialized area students choose, this field is ever-growing, offering promising career prospects. The preparation to make a career in Aviation starts very early. First, you'll need to choose the type of job you're int

...Read more

I

Ishita Uniyal

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Aviation in Hindi means "Vimaanan", which means activities related to aircraft and aeroplanes. These activities can be anything from Design, Production, and Operations. Aviation courses teach students about pilot training, aircraft maintenance, aviation management, in-flight services, ground staff,

...Read more

L

Lalit Rastogi

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Here are some top Aviation colleges in India you can consider for Certificate courses. 

Aviation colleges in IndiaAviation Course Fees
The Bombay Flying ClubINR 4.5 Lacs - 34.5 Lakh
IGIA (Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics)INR 69,970 - 1.59 Lakh
Thakur Institute of Aviation TechnologyINR 6.2 Lakh
Rajiv Gandhi Aviation AcademyINR 3.67 Lacs - 20 Lakh
Academy of Carver Aviation Pvt. Ltd.INR 5.5 Lacs - 43.05 Lakh

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.

A

Akansha Bisht

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Adventure Flight Education offers Commercial Pilot License based on some steps that the candidates must complete. A candidate must have I20 certificate before applying for the admission to Commercial Pilot License programme. Furthermore, candidates must have qualified Class 12 with Physics and Chemi

...Read more

A

Aashi Madavi

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 months ago

Adventure Flight Education offers Commercial Pilot License course in full-time mode with a seat of course curriculum designed to provide practical as well as theoretical knowledge of the subject. The Institute offers the respective course on the basis of merit and would require for candidates to sec

...Read more

M

Mukul Singh

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 months ago

Adventure Flight Education offers courses such as DGCA Airline Pilot programme in full-time mode. The programme curriculum includes Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial ASEL, Commercial AMEL, and Time Building. Admission to the respective course is offered on the basis of merit and would req

...Read more

A

Anshuman Singh

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 months ago

Aviation Planet - Institute of Aviation Studies, Nagpur, awards various scholarships to students as financial assistance. The below-mentioned are the Aviation Planet - Institute of Aviation Studies, Nagpur scholarship details:

  • Merit-Based: Up to INR 1 Lacs fee waiver for top 5% applicants
  • SC/ST & Mino

...Read more

N

Nishtha Singh

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, Aviation Planet - Institute of Aviation Studies, Nagpur, has collaborated with several organisations and companies. The below-mentioned are the Aviation Planet - Institute of Aviation Studies, Nagpur collaborations:

Aviation Planet - Institute of Aviation Studies, Nagpur Collaborations
IndiGoSpiceJetAir India
Qatar AirwaysEtihadBritish Airways

R

Raj Kumar

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Aviation Planet - Institute of Aviation Studies Nagpur placements 2025 will be updated here once out. The college's Placement Cell ensures students are career-ready with mock interviews, direct placement support, and grooming sessions. Graduates have secured roles in the following:

  • Airport Operations

...Read more

V

Vikrant Shekhar

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Aviation Planet - Institute of Aviation Studies, Nagpur, offers certificate courses to students. The below-mentioned are the Aviation Planet - Institute of Aviation Studies, Nagpur, available courses, seat intake, and their duration:

Course Name

Duration

Seat Intake

Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

8–12 months

30

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering

6–8 months

40

Flight Dispatcher

5-6 months

50

Air Traffic Controller

1 Month

25

Foundation Course for CPL

10 Days

20

Cadet Pilot Programme

1 month

20

R

Rashmi Arora

Contributor-Level 9

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