Home > Salary > South Africa > Airline Captain
An airline captain is a highly skilled and experienced pilot who is responsible for the safe operation of an aircraft. They are in command of the flight and have the ultimate authority and responsibility for the safety of passengers, crew, and the aircraft. Their main duties include planning and executing flights, conducting pre-flight inspections, communicating with air traffic control, monitoring weather conditions, and ensuring compliance with aviation regulations.
An airline captain must possess excellent leadership and decision-making skills, as they often have to make critical judgments in high-pressure situations. They must also have strong communication and teamwork abilities to effectively coordinate with the co-pilot and cabin crew. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to remain calm under stress are crucial qualities for this occupation.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 448,848 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 37,404 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 8,632 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 216 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 36,212 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 8,357 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 209 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03
Estimated Yearly Salary: 22,494 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,875 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 433 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 11 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 448,848 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 37,404 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 8,632 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 216 ZAR per hour
By working as Airline Captain a person can save up to 1,603 USD per month or 19,240 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Airline Captain
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Airline Captain salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Airline Captain in South Africa is approximately 448,848 ZAR (22,494 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Airline Captain do?
An airline captain is a highly skilled and experienced pilot who is responsible for the safe operation of an aircraft. They are in command of the flight and have the ultimate authority and responsibility for the safety of passengers, crew, and the aircraft. Their main duties include planning and executing flights, conducting pre-flight inspections, communicating with air traffic control, monitoring weather conditions, and ensuring compliance with aviation regulations.
An airline captain must possess excellent leadership and decision-making skills, as they often have to make critical judgments in high-pressure situations. They must also have strong communication and teamwork abilities to effectively coordinate with the co-pilot and cabin crew. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to remain calm under stress are crucial qualities for this occupation.
Skills: Airline pilot, Aviation, Flight operations, Safety management, Leadership, Decision-making.
Job industry: Aviation
Job industry: Aviation
How much does Airline Captain make?
Salary details
How much does Airline Captain make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 448,848 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 37,404 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 8,632 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 216 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 434,540 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 36,212 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 8,357 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 209 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03Airline Captain estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 22,494 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,875 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 433 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 11 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
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Salary comparison to National average
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It has a population of approximately 59 million people and covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Airline Captain job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Airline Captain in South Africa earns on average:
3.54 times the average salary (or 354% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Airline Captain job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Airline Captain in South Africa earns on average:
3.54 times the average salary (or 354% of average salary).
Is Airline Captain a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Airline Captain is a very well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Airline Captain?
High salary for Airline Captain would be somewhere between 493,733 ZAR and 650,830 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Airline Captain in South Africa?
Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 448,848 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 37,404 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 8,632 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 216 ZAR per hour
By working as Airline Captain a person can save up to 1,603 USD per month or 19,240 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Airline Captain
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
+12% salary increase- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
+25% salary increase- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
+16% salary increase- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
+9% salary increase- more than 25 years of experience yields
+10% salary increaseTop 10 highest salaries in South Africa
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Data as of 2025Random salary:
Pay-per-click (ppc), advertising manager (137,227 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Staff auditor (143,360 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Job development specialist (69,557 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Consultant public relations (183,968 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Enterprise resource planning (erp), developer (202,208 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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Salary details presented on optisalary.com are meant for reference purposes only. Our data comes from multiple inputs and may not always be accurate. Users should cross-reference salary information independently before making employment commitments. The figures shown here may fluctuate due to factors such as location, industry standards, and individual skill sets. We cannot guarantee that the data displayed is flawless. By using optisalary.com, you agree that salary information is offered 'as is' and without warranties.