Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 91'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 93'368 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 98'604 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 130'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 118'000 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 145'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsTransport, Logistics & Safety
Helikopter-Berufspilot/in
You fly helicopters for transport, rescue missions, and passenger flights
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Helikopter-Berufspilot/in carry heavy loads, save lives, and transport passengers under challenging conditions.
You take control of the cockpit for demanding missions in Switzerland and abroad. Whether lifting heavy loads, conducting high-altitude rescues, or flying passengers, your work requires intense focus and technical knowledge. Flight schedules are irregular and heavily weather-dependent. With experience and additional qualifications, doors open to specialized aviation roles.
FieldTransport, Logistics & Safety
Education pathSpecialisation / Professional Function
IndustryAviation
Swissdoc 0.634.14.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Helikopterpilotin. Based on 187 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+20% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 105'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 98'000 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 102'500 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 125'500 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva | CHF 109'000 | 20 |
| Zurich | CHF 104'000 | 77 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Industry various | CHF 110'000 | 5 |
| Tourism / Travel / Recreation | CHF 106'682 | 36 |
| Transport / Logistics | CHF 101'200 | 102 |
| Service sector in general | CHF 86'500 | 11 |
| Public administration / Associations | CHF 84'000 | 8 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Helikopter-Berufspilot/in mit Berufspilotenlizenz des BAZL
- ⏱ Ca. 2 Jahre, berufsbegleitend
Official education path
Training is part-time at recognized flight schools and leads to the BAZL professional pilot license.
Typical training path
Helikopter-Berufspilot/in mit Berufspilotenlizenz des BAZL
Prerequisites
- Lizenz als Privat-Helikopterpilot/in with at least 155 flight hours, including 50 hours as pilot-in-command
- Theoretical training at CPL level in Meteorology, Navigation, Human Performance, Air Law, General Aircraft Knowledge, Flight Performance and Planning, Emergency and Operating Procedures, Fundamentals of Flight, Mass and Balance, Visual Flight Rules-Communication
- License extension for radiotelephony and Language Proficiency Requirements (LPR) of ICAO
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Extract from the central criminal register (Zentralstrafregister)
Requirements
- Good spatial awareness
- Technical knowledge
- Resilience
- Good eyesight
- Sense of responsibility
- Willingness to work irregular hours
Where this can lead
Career changers can start by flying part-time to accumulate the necessary hours and experience.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Spatial awareness
- Technical understanding
- Stress resistance
- Sense of responsibility
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You check the flight path and weight distribution before starting the engine. In the cockpit, you monitor the instruments and steer the helicopter millimeter-perfect to the site.
- You plan flight routes and check the helicopter's technical readiness before every mission.
- You lift heavy loads precisely and keep the flight attitude stable during transport.
- You transport passengers to business meetings or offer scenic tours over interesting landscapes.
- You navigate through difficult weather and inaccessible mountains to rescue accident victims.
- You monitor fuel reserves and optimize flight time to reduce operating costs.
- You coordinate with the ground crew during landing and secure the cargo after takeoff.
Working conditions
You work primarily in the open air and at various landing sites in Switzerland and abroad. Mission locations range from alpine peaks and construction sites to private helicopter pads.
Where to learn
- Aero-Club der SchweizLidostr. 5, 6006 Luzern
- AEROSUISSE Dachverband der schweizerischen Luft- und RaumfahrtKapellenstrasse 14, 3001 Bern
- Bundesamt für Zivilluftfahrt BAZL Sektion Flugpersonal - LizenzenadministrationMühlestrasse 2, 3063 Ittigen
Strengths
- Spatial awareness
- Technical understanding
- Stress resistance
- Sense of responsibility
Trade-offs
- Irregular hours
- High barriers
- Weather dependency
- Physical strain
06 · Similar
