Airline Pilot Salary: State and Industry Differences in Australia

What is an airline pilot salary?

An airline pilot salary in Australia is not a single number. It depends on the type of aircraft flown, the pilot’s role (captain or first officer), years of experience, and whether the employer is a major airline, regional carrier, or general aviation operator. The legal minimum is set by the Air Pilots Award 2020 (MA000046), but many pilots earn well above that floor.

This article explains the award structure, the latest median earnings, and how state and industry differences affect what pilots take home. All figures are from public sources: the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and Jobs and Skills Australia.

Award minimums: the floor for airline pilot salary

The Air Pilots Award covers most employed pilots in Australia. It sets minimum hourly rates for captains and first officers based on the aircraft’s maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and type. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide, effective from 14 July 2026, lists these rates.

For example, a captain flying a single-engine aircraft under 1360 kg earns a minimum of $29.47 per hour. A captain on a multi-engine aircraft between 3360 kg and 5660 kg earns $35.68 per hour. At the top end, a captain of a wide-body double-deck aircraft (e.g., Boeing 747 or Airbus A380) earns $119.93 per hour. Regional airline captains on an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 earn $65.65 per hour.

First officers and second pilots have lower minimums. Aerial application pilots start at $25.74 per hour for those with under 1000 hours experience, rising to $29.39 per hour for over 3000 hours.

These are minimum rates. Most major airlines pay significantly more through enterprise agreements. The award also includes additions for instrument ratings, multi-engine endorsements, and duty-free day allowances.

Median earnings: a better picture of airline pilot salary

For a more realistic view, we turn to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. The median full-time weekly earnings for Air Transport Professionals (ANZSCO 2311) is $2,651. That’s before tax and salary sacrifice. The median hourly earnings is $63.

Compare that to the all-occupations median of $1,852 per week and $47 per hour. Air transport professionals earn about 43% more per week than the average worker.

Using the Salary Index benchmark – full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week (index 100) – the median air transport professional scores an index of approximately 127. That means the typical pilot or air traffic controller earns 27% above the national line.

State and industry differences

The Salary Index also shows how earnings vary by state and industry. While pilot pay is set nationally, where you live and work can influence your actual salary.

State benchmarks (from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026):

• Australian Capital Territory: index 109.9 (annualised $119,090)
• Western Australia: index 106.9 ($115,825)
• New South Wales: index 101.2 ($109,658)
• Victoria: index 98.0 ($106,137)
• Queensland: index 97.9 ($106,064)
• Northern Territory: index 95.2 ($103,173)
• South Australia: index 94.6 ($102,450)
• Tasmania: index 88.6 ($96,008)

Pilots based in the ACT or WA may have higher earning potential due to stronger local economies and demand. However, many pilots commute or work for national carriers, so state differences may be less pronounced than for other occupations.

Industry context: Air transport professionals are classified under Transport, Postal and Warehousing. This industry has a higher average index than retail (75.9) or accommodation and food services (72.5), but lower than mining (154.7) or professional services (114.7). The industry index reflects all workers in that sector, not just pilots.

How the Salary Index works for pilots

The Salary Index is a simple tool: divide a yearly gross salary by the national line ($108,352) and multiply by 100. For a pilot earning the median $137,852 (based on $2,651 × 52), the index is 127. For a captain on the award minimum of $35.68 per hour working 800 hours per year (typical for airline pilots), that’s $28,544 – an index of about 26. But that’s unrealistic; most pilots work more hours and earn above award.

Use the Salary Index to compare any pay figure. The pay guides page has more on award rates. For state comparisons, see states. For industry benchmarks, see industries.

Superannuation and tax

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee at 12% from 1 July 2026, on top of salary. For the median earner, that adds about $16,542 per year. Income tax for 2026–27 (resident, with tax-free threshold) is:

• Nil on first $18,200
• 15% on $18,201–$45,000
• 30% on $45,001–$135,000
• 37% on $135,001–$190,000
• 45% above $190,000 Plus Medicare levy of 2%. A pilot earning $137,852 would pay roughly $30,000 in tax and Medicare, leaving about $107,852 take-home before super.

Caveats

• The median figure includes air traffic controllers and flying instructors, not just airline pilots.
• Award rates are minimums; actual pay can be much higher.
• The Salary Index uses ordinary-time earnings, not total package.
• State indices are economy-wide, not occupation-specific.

For more on how we calculate the index, see how the index works. Browse related topics at topics.