Aeronautical engineering salary: where does it sit against the national average?
If you are researching an aeronautical engineering salary in Australia, you might expect a clear figure from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Unfortunately, the official data is not that straightforward. The ABS does not publish median weekly earnings for 6-digit occupations such as Aeronautical Engineers (ANZSCO 233911). The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for this occupation explicitly states that median weekly earnings are N/A. This means we cannot give you a single, authoritative number that places aeronautical engineering pay precisely on the line.
However, we can still compare the occupation to the national full-time average using broader categories and the data that is available. The national full-time adult ordinary-time average earnings were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, which works out to about $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52). This is the figure that Average line uses as its benchmark. Aeronautical engineers are classified as Professionals under the ANZSCO system. In the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for May 2025, Professionals had an average weekly total cash earnings of $2,049.60. That is slightly below the national full-time average, but remember that the Professionals category includes many roles with a wide range of pay, from early-career graduates to senior specialists.
What the data tells us about aeronautical engineers
The Jobs and Skills Australia profile does provide other useful context. Aeronautical engineers are overwhelmingly full-time workers: 91% work full-time hours, compared to 64% across all occupations. The average full-time hours worked per week are 42 hours, slightly below the all-occupations average of 44 hours. The median age is 37 years, and only 11% of aeronautical engineers are women. These demographics can influence earnings. For example, a predominantly male, full-time workforce in a specialised engineering field typically earns above the all-employees median.
The all-employees median weekly earnings (including part-time and casual workers) were $1,436 in May 2025, or about $74,100 per year. The full-time median was about $1,887 per week, or $90,532 per year. Given that aeronautical engineers are almost all full-time and highly skilled, it is reasonable to assume that their earnings are above the all-employees median and likely close to or above the full-time median. But without a published figure, we cannot confirm that.
What would move an aeronautical engineer's pay above or below the average?
Several factors can push an individual aeronautical engineering salary above or below the national full-time average of $108,352.
Experience and seniority are the most significant. Entry-level graduates may start on salaries below the average, while senior engineers with 10+ years of experience, especially those in management or specialist roles, can earn well above it. The ABS data for Professionals shows a wide spread: the 1st quartile for full-time non-managerial employees was $1,424 per week, and the 3rd quartile was $2,560 per week. Aeronautical engineers at the top end of the pay scale could be earning $130,000 or more.
Industry sector matters. Aeronautical engineers work in defence, commercial aviation, manufacturing, and research. Defence and government roles often offer higher base salaries and benefits. The public sector average full-time ordinary time earnings for males were $2,399.30 per week in May 2026, and for females $2,154.00. Private sector averages were lower: $2,139.50 for males and $1,840.80 for females. However, these are broad averages and may not reflect specific engineering roles.
Location is another key factor. State full-time averages vary significantly. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest average at about $119,090, driven by the concentration of defence and government jobs. Western Australia follows at $115,825, boosted by the resources sector. In contrast, Tasmania averages $96,008. An aeronautical engineer working in Canberra or Perth is likely to earn more than one in Hobart, all else being equal. You can explore state differences on our States and territories page.
Employer type and bargaining power also play a role. Many aeronautical engineers are covered by enterprise agreements or individual contracts. The method of setting pay can influence outcomes. According to the ABS, individual arrangement was the most common method of setting pay (38.5%) in May 2025, followed by collective agreement (34.6%). Engineers with strong bargaining power or in high-demand specialisations may negotiate salaries above the average.
How the figures are set
The national full-time average is derived from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, which is published twice a year (May and November). The May 2026 release showed a 3.7% annual increase to $2,083.70 per week. This is the figure we use as the line on Average line. The median figures come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which is published annually. The national minimum wage, set by Fair Work, is $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, equating to $1,004.90 per week or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date. For more detail on how these benchmarks are calculated, see How the figures are set.
What this means for your salary check
If you are an aeronautical engineer, you cannot simply look up a single official figure. Instead, you need to consider your experience, sector, and location. The national full-time average of $108,352 is a useful reference point. If you earn above that, you are above the line; if below, you are below. Given the specialised nature of the work and the high proportion of full-time employment, many aeronautical engineers are likely to be at or above the average, especially those with several years of experience.
For a broader perspective, you can compare your salary to the full-time median of about $90,532 or the all-employees median of $74,100. These figures are lower because they include part-time and lower-paid workers. If you want to see how your pay compares to others in the same occupation, consider using our Job medians page, which aggregates available data from the ABS and other sources.
Summary
While a precise aeronautical engineering salary figure is not published by the ABS, you can use the national full-time average as a benchmark. Factors such as experience, industry, location, and bargaining power will determine whether your pay sits above or below the line. The available data suggests that aeronautical engineers, as highly skilled professionals working mostly full-time, are likely to earn above the all-employees median and close to or above the national full-time average. For a personalised assessment, consider your own circumstances and consult industry-specific salary surveys or your employer's enterprise agreement.