Where a Qantas pilot salary sits against the national average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the line used on this site. The full-time median is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, about $52,255 a year on 38 hours.
A precise figure for a Qantas pilot salary is not published in the sources used on this site. However, the Air Pilots Award [MA000046] from Fair Work sets minimum hourly rates for pilots, which vary by aircraft type. For example, a captain on a narrow body aircraft (such as a Boeing 737) has a minimum hourly rate of $92.52 under the award. On a 38-hour week, that equates to about $182,000 a year, well above the national full-time average. A captain on a wide body single deck aircraft (e.g., Boeing 787) has a minimum of $106.23 per hour, about $209,000 a year. Qantas pilots are typically covered by enterprise agreements that pay above award, so actual salaries are likely higher than these award minimums.
How the award rates compare to the national average
The national full-time average of $108,352 is significantly lower than even the lowest award rate for a captain on a single engine aircraft under 1,360 kg ($29.47 per hour, about $58,000 a year). Most Qantas pilots operate larger aircraft, so their award minimums are far above the average. For instance, a first officer on an Airbus A320 has a minimum of $65.65 per hour, about $129,000 a year, already above the national average. This illustrates that pilot salaries, especially at major airlines like Qantas, are generally above the national benchmark due to the specialised skills, responsibilities, and experience required.
State averages and the Qantas pilot salary
State full-time averages (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026) also provide context. They range from Tasmania at about $96,008 to the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090. New South Wales is about $109,658, Victoria about $106,137, Queensland about $106,064, South Australia about $102,450, Western Australia about $115,825, Northern Territory about $103,173. A Qantas pilot salary would likely exceed all state averages, given the award minimums for larger aircraft already surpass them.
Medians and other benchmarks
The full-time median of about $90,532 and all-employees median of about $74,100 are also well below the award minimums for most Qantas pilot roles. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for Aeroplane Pilots notes that median weekly earnings are not available due to data limitations (the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours does not produce a figure for this occupation). This underscores the difficulty in obtaining a precise public figure for Qantas pilot salaries, but the award provides a clear floor.
Tax considerations
For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are: nil to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above that. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A Qantas pilot earning above the national average would fall into the 30% or 37% bracket, depending on exact salary. The after-tax income would still be significantly above the national average.
Summary
While the exact Qantas pilot salary is not published in the sources used here, the Air Pilots Award minimums for the types of aircraft Qantas operates are well above the national full-time average of $108,352. Actual Qantas pilot salaries are likely higher than award minimums due to enterprise agreements. Therefore, a Qantas pilot salary would be above the line on this site.
Place a salary on the line to see how your own pay compares. You can also explore States and territories for regional averages.