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Aerospace engineer salary: reading job ads and comparing offers
How to interpret aerospace engineer salary data in Australia, using the salary index to compare job offers across states and industries.
The median weekly earnings for aerospace engineers are not published by the ABS, but the occupation sits within the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry (index 114.7), suggesting pay above the national line of 100.
Aerospace engineer salary: reading job ads and comparing offers
When you see a job ad for an aerospace engineer in Australia, the salary figure can be hard to benchmark. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia do not publish a median weekly earnings figure for this occupation. So how do you know if an offer is fair? This guide uses the Salary Index to help you compare offers across states and industries.
What the data says about aerospace engineer pay
Jobs and Skills Australia reports on aeronautical engineers (a specialisation of aerospace engineer). As of the 2021 Census, there were about 1,400 employed, with a median age of 37 and a female share of just 11%. Most work full-time (91%), averaging 42 hours per week. The main industries are Public Administration and Safety, Manufacturing, and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services. New South Wales employs 27.8% of all aeronautical engineers. Jobs and Skills Australia
The ABS Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) defines Aerospace Engineer (243932) as someone who performs and supervises engineering work concerned with the design, development, manufacture, maintenance and modification of aircraft, launch vehicles and spacecraft. Specialisations include Aeronautical Engineer, Propulsion Engineer, and Aerospace Engineer Officer roles. Australian Bureau of Statistics
Neither source gives a median salary. The ABS only publishes median weekly earnings for 4-digit occupation groups, not the 6-digit level. So you need to rely on job ads and industry benchmarks.
Using the salary index to compare offers
The Salary Index sets 100 as the national line for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. That line is $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings of $2,083.70 per week, May 2026). If a job ad offers $120,000, the index is 111 – about 11% above the national line.
But the right benchmark depends on where you work and in which industry. The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry – where many aerospace engineers are employed – has an index of 114.7. That means typical full-time earnings in that industry are about 15% above the national line. So an offer of $120,000 (index 111) is slightly below that industry average, while $130,000 (index 120) would be above.
State matters too. The states page shows indices from 88.6 in Tasmania to 109.9 in the ACT. An aerospace engineer in Canberra (ACT index 109.9) would expect higher pay than one in Hobart (Tasmania index 88.6), all else being equal.
What about awards and super?
The Fair Work Ombudsman does not list a specific modern award for aerospace engineers. Fair Work Ombudsman The Professional Employees Award may cover some roles, but many aerospace engineers are employed under enterprise agreements (especially in defence) or individual contracts. Always check the job ad for mention of an award or agreement.
Superannuation is mandatory at 12% from 1 July 2026. A salary of $120,000 plus super means the employer pays an extra $14,400 into your super fund. The salary index uses pre-super ordinary-time earnings, so factor super in separately.
Practical tips for reading job ads
- Look for total remuneration package (TRP) – salary plus super and any allowances.
- Compare offers using the how the index works page. Convert the annual salary to an index number and compare to the national line (100) and your state/industry.
- If the ad says "negotiable", use the industry index of 114.7 as a starting point. For a role in Professional Services, an index of 115–120 is reasonable.
- Consider experience. Entry-level aerospace engineers may start around $75,000–$85,000 (index 69–78), while senior engineers with 10+ years can earn $150,000–$180,000 (index 138–166).
- Government roles (e.g., Defence) often have structured pay scales. Check the relevant enterprise agreement if available.
Where to find more information
- Salary Index: the main page with the national line and state/industry indices.
- pay guides: articles on how awards and agreements affect pay.
- industries: industry-specific benchmarks.
- topics: other occupation salary guides.
Summary
Because the ABS doesn't publish a median for aerospace engineers, you need to triangulate from job ads, industry indices, and state indices. The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services index of 114.7 is a good anchor. Use the Salary Index to convert any offer into a number you can compare across Australia. And remember that super, location, and experience all affect the real value of a salary.
Questions people ask
What is the average aerospace engineer salary in Australia?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for aerospace engineers at the 6-digit occupation level. Jobs and Skills Australia also reports no median for aeronautical engineers. However, the industry where most aerospace engineers work – Professional, Scientific and Technical Services – has a salary index of 114.7, meaning typical full-time earnings are about 15% above the national line of $108,352. Job ads often range from $90,000 to $150,000 depending on experience, location, and employer.
How does the aerospace engineer salary compare to the national average?
The national average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings is $108,352 per year (index 100). Aerospace engineers are likely to earn above this, given the industry index of 114.7. For example, a salary of $120,000 gives an index of 111, which is above the national line but slightly below the professional services industry benchmark. State location also matters: an aerospace engineer in the ACT (index 109.9) or WA (106.9) may expect higher pay than in Tasmania (88.6).
What award covers aerospace engineers?
The Fair Work Ombudsman does not list a specific modern award for aerospace engineers. They may be covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020 if their role involves professional engineering duties, but this is not guaranteed. Many aerospace engineers work under enterprise agreements (e.g., in defence or manufacturing) or individual contracts. Always check the specific job offer for award coverage or agreement terms.