Start with the role, not a headline salary
An apprentice, a maintenance technician, a licensed engineer and an authorised certifying employee may work alongside one another but hold different responsibilities. A salary advertised for one role cannot be used as a reliable benchmark for another. Read the job description and identify the work you will actually perform, the required licence category, any aircraft endorsement and the experience expected.
We do not publish a verified national salary survey. Before using a figure from a college brochure, social-media post or recruiter, ask when it was collected, how many employees it represents, and whether it is gross salary, take-home pay or total cost to company. A large figure without those details is difficult to compare.
Build a like-for-like comparison
Put each written offer into the same worksheet. Separate fixed annual cash, variable performance pay, shift allowances, overtime, retirement contributions and non-cash benefits. Ask which allowances are guaranteed and which depend on the roster. Compare the guaranteed portion first; a maximum incentive should not be treated as regular income.
| Check | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Fixed pay | What is the guaranteed gross amount and payment schedule? |
| Variable pay | What conditions determine bonuses and overtime? |
| Roster | How are night shifts, rest days and travel handled? |
| Training | Who pays, and is there a repayment obligation? |
| Location | What will accommodation and commuting cost? |
| Contract | What are the probation, notice and renewal terms? |
Understand training costs before accepting
A type-training course can be a significant commitment. Ask for the provider's approval details, the exact aircraft and licence category covered, the practical component and any on-the-job training arrangements. Confirm with the relevant licensing authority whether the proposed route meets your needs. Do not assume completing a course guarantees a licence endorsement, a company certification authorisation or a job.
If an employer funds training, read the repayment conditions before signing. Check the amount, the period covered and what happens if training is postponed or the employment ends. Record these terms separately from your monthly salary comparison.
Compare opportunities to build experience
A first role should also be assessed by supervision, task exposure, record keeping and the opportunity to document relevant experience. Ask how work is assigned, how your logbook is reviewed and who verifies completed tasks. A vague promise of rapid progression is less useful than a clear explanation of the training and authorisation process.
For an overseas offer, separately check licence recognition, work permission, accommodation, insurance and the currency of payment. Do not assume that a DGCA licence automatically confers EASA privileges or that a foreign salary figure translates directly into higher disposable income.
A decision you can revisit
Save the job advertisement, written offer and your comparison sheet with the date. List unanswered questions and obtain written clarification. Revisit the comparison when the role, location or training commitment changes. This approach gives you a decision based on your circumstances instead of an unsupported industry average.
Official licensing references
DGCA official portal · EASA Part-66 FAQs. These explain licensing requirements; they are not salary surveys. AlwaysAME is an independent study platform, not a recruiter or licensing authority.