2026 comparison
Mechanical Engineer vs Commercial Pilot salary in South Africa
Higher paying career: Commercial Pilot. Approximate monthly difference: R68 000.
Entry, mid, senior pay, demand, difficulty and long-term career upside.
Mechanical Engineer
High demand · BEng / BSc Mechanical Engineering
EntryR26 000
MidR58 000
SeniorR92 000
Top 20%R145 000
Commercial Pilot
Medium demand · Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
EntryR35 000
MidR95 000
SeniorR160 000
Top 20%R250 000
Salary breakdown
Entry
R26 000
R35 000
Mid
R58 000
R95 000
Senior
R92 000
R160 000
Top 20%
R145 000
R250 000
Demand
Mechanical Engineer8/10
Commercial Pilot6/10
Difficulty
Mechanical Engineer8/10
Commercial Pilot9/10
Salary difference
+R68 000
Compare the Commercial Pilot salary in South Africa with how much Mechanical Engineers earn at senior level.
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Higher paying career: Commercial Pilot. The senior-level gap is about R68 000 per month, based on R160 000 for Commercial Pilot compared with R92 000 for Mechanical Engineer.
Career alternatives
Higher earning
Commercial Pilot
Easier entry
Mechanical Engineer
Better long-term
Commercial Pilot
Skills / requirements
SolidWorks / CAD
Mechanical Engineer needs this
Less central
Pr.Eng registration
Mechanical Engineer needs this
Less central
Plant maintenance
Mechanical Engineer needs this
Less central
Project management
Mechanical Engineer needs this
Less central
Instrument Rating
Less central
Commercial Pilot needs this
Multi-engine rating
Less central
Commercial Pilot needs this
Career progression
Mechanical Engineer
Candidate EngineerR30 000
Mechanical EngineerR58 000
Senior EngineerR92 000
Engineering LeadR120 000
Commercial Pilot
Flight InstructorR35 000
First Officer (regional)R70 000
First Officer (airline)R110 000
CaptainR180 000
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