Not at all it's absolutely not too late. Many aspiring aviators begin their pilot journey later than they initially planned and still go on to earn highly competitive salaries.
Pilot demand remains strong. A global pilot shortage and rising air travel have created high demand for trained pilots—meaning airlines and operators continue to eagerly recruit new talent.
Training leads to progressive earning potential. In India, newly minted CPL holders (Commercial Pilot License) typically earn between INR 1.5–3 lakh per month. With 3–5 years of experience, salaries rise to inr 6–8 lakh, and veteran captains especially on international routes can earn INR 8–12 lakh or more per month.
Trainee/First Officer phase: Starting roles may command roughly INR 1.5–3 lakh/month (domestically in India)
Senior First Officer to Captain: With experience (2–5 years), incomes grow to INR5–8 lakh/month; senior captains, especially on international flights, can reach INR 8–12 lakh or higher
Global and U.S. benchmarks: In the U.S., entry-level pilots typically earn $10k–$11k/month ($130k/year). Experienced airline captains may earn $219k/year (around $18k/month). Low-cost airline pilots such as Frontier/Spirit can reach $270k/year ($22–23k/month)
Age or late entry isn’t a barrier. With focused training, accrued flight hours, and progression through the ranks, you can achieve a strong pilot salary even more so if you aim for international airlines or roles in major markets. The industry’s projected growth makes this a viable, lucrative path for late starters.