Airline Pilot Salary in Australia
An airline pilot's salary in Australia is not a single figure—it varies enormously depending on the aircraft they fly, their rank, and their employer. The Air Pilots Award 2020 (MA000046) from Fair Work sets minimum hourly rates for captains and first officers across dozens of aircraft types, from small single-engine planes to double-deck wide-body jets. These award rates are the legal floor; many pilots, especially those at major airlines, earn significantly more through enterprise agreements.
Where the National Average Sits
The Australian Bureau of Statistics' Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings average $2,083.70 per week. That works out to about $108,352 a year (multiplying by 52 weeks). This is the benchmark we use on Place a salary on the line. For context, the full-time median is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).
Award Minimums for Pilots
Under the Air Pilots Award, a captain of a single-engine aircraft under 1360 kg (the lightest category) earns a minimum of $29.47 per hour. On a standard 38-hour week, that annualises to roughly $58,232—well below the national average. At the other extreme, a captain of a wide-body double-deck aircraft (such as an Airbus A380) earns $119.93 per hour, or about $237,000 a year, more than double the national average.
First officers earn less. For example, a first officer on a single-engine aircraft under 1360 kg earns $26.45 per hour (about $52,300 a year), while a first officer on an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 earns $65.65 per hour (about $129,700 a year).
These award rates are minimums. Many pilots receive additional allowances for instrument ratings, remote area flying, or working on rostered duty-free days. The award also specifies a casual loading of 25%, which can push hourly rates higher.
How Pilot Pay Moves Above or Below the Average
Whether an airline pilot's salary sits above or below the national average depends on several factors:
- Aircraft size and type: Pilots of large jets (narrow-body, wide-body) almost always earn above the national average. Those flying small single-engine or light twin-engine aircraft often earn below it.
- Rank: Captains earn significantly more than first officers. For a given aircraft, the captain's rate is typically 10–20% higher.
- Experience and endorsements: Additional qualifications, such as a command instrument rating, attract extra pay under the award.
- Employer: Major airlines (Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar) generally pay above award rates through enterprise agreements, while regional operators may pay closer to the minimum.
- Hours worked: Pilots' hours are regulated, but actual flying hours can vary. The award caps ordinary hours at 38 per week on average, but many pilots work rosters that include overtime or additional duties.
State and Territory Comparisons
Full-time average earnings vary by state. The highest is the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090 a year, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. Tasmania has the lowest state average at $96,008. A pilot earning the award minimum for a large jet would be above average in every state, while a small-aircraft pilot might be below average even in Tasmania. See States and territories for more detail.
The Role of the National Minimum Wage
For context, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week ($52,255 a year on 38 hours). The lowest pilot award rate ($26.45 for a first officer on a small single-engine) is just above the minimum wage. Most pilots earn comfortably more, but the gap is narrow at the entry level.
How the Figures Are Set
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings data is released twice a year, for May and November. The next release is February 2027. Award rates are updated by the Fair Work Commission annually, with the most recent increase of 4.75% taking effect from 1 July 2026. For more on methodology, see How the figures are set.
Summary
An airline pilot salary in Australia can range from below the national full-time average to well above it, depending on the aircraft and role. The Air Pilots Award provides a clear minimum structure, but actual earnings often exceed these floors. If you're considering a career as a pilot or comparing your pay, the key question is: what aircraft do you fly? That single factor largely determines where your salary sits on the line.
For more on how different occupations compare, see Job medians.