Commercial Pilot Salary: Award Rates and What They Mean for Your Pay

What is a commercial pilot salary?

A commercial pilot salary in Australia is the pay a pilot receives for flying passengers, cargo, or conducting aerial work. It is regulated by the Air Pilots Award 2020 (MA000046), which sets minimum hourly rates and annual salaries for pilots based on their role (captain or first officer), aircraft type, and weight. The award also covers aerial application pilots (crop dusting, etc.). These minimum rates are updated each year following the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review.

Because commercial pilot salaries vary enormously—from a first officer on a small single-engine aircraft to a captain flying a wide-body international jet—there is no single figure. Instead, the award provides a structured pay scale. Understanding where a particular role sits on the salary index helps compare it to other occupations.

How the Air Pilots Award structures pay

The award divides pilots into two main categories: airlines/general aviation and regional airlines. Within each, there are classifications for captains and first officers/second pilots. The key factor is the aircraft's maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and whether it is single or multi-engine. For example:

• Captain, single engine under 1360 kg: $29.47 per hour
• Captain, multi-engine 3360 kg to 5660 kg: $35.68 per hour
• Captain, wide body double deck: $119.93 per hour
• First officer, single engine: $26.45 per hour
• First officer, multi-engine 3360–5660 kg: $27.88 per hour

Regional airlines have their own rates for specific aircraft types, such as the Embraer 190 ($63.00/hr for captain) or Airbus A320 ($65.65/hr). Aerial application pilots are paid weekly rates based on flying hours experience, ranging from $978.10 to $1,116.80 per week.

These hourly rates are derived from annual salaries divided by 800 hours (the assumed annual flying time for full-time pilots under the award). For casual pilots, a 25% loading applies.

Adding mandatory allowances

The award requires employers to pay additions to salary for certain qualifications. For example, a captain with a command instrument rating receives an extra $2,049.11 per year, and a multi-engine endorsement adds $8,196.42 per year. These are added to the base annual salary before calculating the hourly rate. So a captain on a multi-engine 3360–5660 kg aircraft has a base salary of $70,496, plus $10,245.53 in additions, totalling $80,741.53 per year.

Where does a commercial pilot salary sit on the index?

The salary index compares gross annual earnings to the national benchmark of $108,352 (index 100). Using the award minima:

• Captain, multi-engine 3360–5660 kg: $80,742 → index 74.5
• First officer, single engine: $26.45/hr × 800 hrs = $21,160 → index 19.5
• Captain, wide body double deck: $119.93/hr × 800 hrs = $95,944 → index 88.5
• Regional captain, A320: $65.65/hr × 800 hrs = $52,520 → index 48.5

These are minimum award rates. Many commercial pilots, especially those working for major airlines, earn significantly more under enterprise agreements. The index for a senior captain on a long-haul aircraft could exceed 100.

Superannuation and tax considerations

From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid by the employer on top of the salary. For a pilot earning $80,742, that adds $9,689 in super contributions. The award requires employers to contribute to a fund that meets the super guarantee legislation.

For tax, a resident pilot earning $80,742 in 2026–27 would pay approximately $17,417 in income tax plus $1,615 Medicare levy (2%), leaving a take-home of about $61,710. This excludes HELP repayments or Medicare levy surcharge. Higher earners face the 37% marginal rate above $135,000 and 45% above $190,000.

How to find current rates

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides summarising award rates. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database provides detailed classification data. Always check the specific award classification for your role, as rates differ by aircraft and experience.

Caveats

• Award rates are minimums; actual pay may be higher under agreements.
• The 800-hour divisor is used for calculating casual rates; full-time annual salaries may assume different hours.
• Additions for qualifications are mandatory and increase total compensation.
• Super is additional and not included in the hourly rates shown.
• The salary index figures are estimates based on award minima and may not reflect market rates.

For a broader view of how pilot pay compares to other industries, see the industries page. To understand the index calculation, visit how the index works.