2026 comparison
Electrical Engineer vs Commercial Pilot salary in South Africa
Higher paying career: Commercial Pilot. Approximate monthly difference: R55 000.
Entry, mid, senior pay, demand, difficulty and long-term career upside.
Electrical Engineer
High demand · BEng / BSc Electrical Engineering
EntryR28 000
MidR65 000
SeniorR105 000
Top 20%R160 000
Commercial Pilot
Medium demand · Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
EntryR35 000
MidR95 000
SeniorR160 000
Top 20%R250 000
Salary breakdown
Entry
R28 000
R35 000
Mid
R65 000
R95 000
Senior
R105 000
R160 000
Top 20%
R160 000
R250 000
Demand
Electrical Engineer9/10
Commercial Pilot6/10
Difficulty
Electrical Engineer8/10
Commercial Pilot9/10
Salary difference
+R55 000
Compare the Commercial Pilot salary in South Africa with how much Electrical Engineers earn at senior level.
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Higher paying career: Commercial Pilot. The senior-level gap is about R55 000 per month, based on R160 000 for Commercial Pilot compared with R105 000 for Electrical Engineer.
Career alternatives
Higher earning
Commercial Pilot
Easier entry
Electrical Engineer
Better long-term
Commercial Pilot
Skills / requirements
Power systems
Electrical Engineer needs this
Less central
Pr.Eng registration
Electrical Engineer needs this
Less central
PLC / automation
Electrical Engineer needs this
Less central
Project management
Electrical Engineer needs this
Less central
Instrument Rating
Less central
Commercial Pilot needs this
Multi-engine rating
Less central
Commercial Pilot needs this
Career progression
Electrical Engineer
Candidate Electrical EngineerR34 000
Electrical EngineerR65 000
Senior Electrical EngineerR105 000
Engineering ManagerR135 000
Commercial Pilot
Flight InstructorR35 000
First Officer (regional)R70 000
First Officer (airline)R110 000
CaptainR180 000
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