South African Airways — South Africa's state-owned flag carrier · Star Alliance member
An South African Airways (SAA) captain earns an average of $82K per year, typically $66K–$107K. First officers average $45K ($35K–$60K). Figures are gross annual pay, before tax. Figures are as of March 2026.
South African Airways (SAA) is South Africa's state-owned flag carrier, founded in 1934. Operating from its Johannesburg hub, it serves Europe, Asia, North America and destinations across Africa. The airline went through business rescue (bankruptcy protection) proceedings in 2020 and relaunched in 2021. It is a member of Star Alliance. Because salaries are paid in ZAR (South African rand), they are exposed to exchange-rate movements. The airline currently operates at a reduced scale, and hiring is limited.
* Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks. Verify actual compensation with each airline's official recruitment information.
| Position | Salary Range | Avg / Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain International widebody |
$66K–$107K |
$82K | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
$35K–$60K |
$45K | Seniority-based |
Pay is denominated in ZAR (South African rand) and quoted pre-tax, so the yen-converted value swings significantly with the exchange rate (a ZAR/JPY rate of roughly 8 is used as a reference and fluctuates). South Africa levies income tax at a top marginal rate of 45%. Hiring and package conditions have remained in flux since the 2021 restructuring.
Modeled from the captain / first-officer ranges above, sliced into standard career stages. Bands marked est. are derived from those ranges (not official); verified bands come from active-pilot data. Management pay is crowd-sourced from verified pilots.
| Career Stage | Years | Annual (pre-tax) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadet / Trainee | ≤2 yrs | $19K–$28K | est. |
| First Officer — Junior | 3–5 yrs | $35K–$46K | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | $42K–$53K | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | $48K–$60K | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | $66K–$84K | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | $77K–$96K | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | $89K–$107K | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
From the Johannesburg hub, SAA operates international services to London, Frankfurt, Mumbai, Hong Kong and other cities, together with an intra-Africa network (Nairobi, Lusaka, Harare and more). It also flies a substantial number of domestic routes.
Airbus A330-200/-300 and Boeing 737-800. Approximately 25 aircraft (fleet rebuilding in progress).
Type rating training is conducted at facilities approved by the relevant national civil aviation authority (SACAA — the South African Civil Aviation Authority) or at OEM training centers.
Line training is flown once the type rating is obtained, with an instructor captain on board until release to the line.
OPC/LPC checks one to two times per year, in compliance with ICAO Annex 1/6.
South African Airways has a track record of hiring foreign captains directly, alongside internal First Officer-to-Captain upgrades.
Discounted tickets for the employee and family members. Also usable on Star Alliance member airlines.
Medical cover for the employee and family (South Africa's private medical scheme system).
20–25 days per year, in line with South African labor law.
A defined-contribution pension scheme is provided.
Hiring status: Hiring has been limited since the 2021 restructuring. Check the official website for the latest information.
Recruitment resumed after the 2020–2021 business rescue process. Be sure to confirm the current situation on the official website.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| South African Airways (SAA) 🇿🇦 | $66K–$107K | $35K–$60K | Income tax applies |
| ANA 🇯🇵 | $138K–$220K | $88K–$132K | ~33% (Japan) |
| JAL 🇯🇵 | $138K–$220K | $88K–$132K | ~33% (Japan) |
* Salary figures are SSOT reference values (pre-tax unless marked tax-free). ANA / JAL shown as the Japan baseline — ~33% income tax applies in Japan, so after-tax take-home is lower than the headline. Tax-free carriers pay 100% take-home. Verify exact figures with each airline.
South African Airways (SAA) captain pay averages about $82K per year (range $66K–$107K), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
South African Airways (SAA) first officer pay averages about $45K per year (range $35K–$60K), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
Captain / First Officer (Regular Recruitment) — International and domestic operations. Johannesburg-based.. Key requirements — License Required: ATPL (ICAO-compliant / SACAA approved); English: ICAO Level 4 or above; Minimum Flight Hours: Captain: 4,000h or more (guideline); Type Rating: A330 or B737 preferred. Recruitment resumed after the 2020–2021 business rescue process. Be sure to confirm the current situation on the official website.
South African Airways (SAA) captains average $82K, versus roughly $170K at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.
Dividing the annual average by 12, South African Airways (SAA) captains earn about $6.8K a month and first officers about $3.8K. What actually lands each month moves with block hours flown, and where an annual bonus is paid the regular monthly figure sits lower with a spike in the bonus month.
South African Airways (SAA) first officers average $45K and captains $82K — a step of about $36K, or roughly 1.8×. The full range runs $35K to $107K, and where you sit inside it is set by seniority, type rating and the routes you fly. The seniority table on this page breaks the same range into career stages.
Every figure on this page is gross, before income tax. Captains average $82K and first officers $45K pre-tax, and income tax, social insurance and any local levies come out of that. Take-home depends on where you are resident and on your own deductions, so no single percentage applies. Airlines based in countries with no personal income tax — the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia — leave more of the same gross figure in your hand.
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Pilot salary in South Africa 1 airline · captain avg $82K