Aeronautical engineering salary: what you can expect to take home in Australia

Aeronautical engineering salary: what the data shows

If you are researching an aeronautical engineering salary in Australia, the most reliable public source is Jobs and Skills Australia. Their latest profile for Aeronautical Engineers (ANZSCO 233911) shows that median weekly earnings are not published for this specific six‑digit occupation due to a high standard error. However, the broader group Other Engineering Professionals (which includes aeronautical engineers) has a median full‑time weekly earnings of $2,649 before tax. That works out to about $137,748 a year.

How does that compare with national benchmarks? The national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour or $1,004.90 a week. Full‑time adult ordinary time earnings, as measured by the ABS, are $2,083.70 a week ($108,352 a year). So an aeronautical engineering salary at the median for the broader group is roughly 27% above the average full‑time worker and more than 2.5 times the minimum wage.

What your take-home pay looks like

Your take-home pay is what lands in your bank account after your employer withholds income tax and the Medicare levy. For a salary of $137,748 in 2026–27:

• Income tax: Using the resident tax rates, you pay $4,020 on the first $45,000, then 30c per dollar on the next $90,000 ($27,000), and 37c per dollar on the remaining $2,748 ($1,017). Total tax: about $32,037.
• Medicare levy: 2% of $137,748 = $2,755. (The single‑person Medicare thresholds of $28,011 and $35,013 apply only if your income is low; full‑time salaries pay the full 2%.)
• Take-home: $137,748 – $32,037 – $2,755 = $102,956 per year, or about $1,980 per week (assuming 52 weeks).

Remember, this is an estimate. It excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge (if you don’t have appropriate private hospital cover), and any salary‑sacrifice arrangements. Use our Take-home pay guide to understand the full picture.

How super fits in

Your employer must pay super on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to $270,830. So if your aeronautical engineering salary is $137,748, your employer adds $16,530 to your super fund each year. That money is not part of your take-home pay, but it builds your retirement savings.

Where aeronautical engineers work

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, aeronautical engineers are employed mainly in Public Administration and Safety, Manufacturing, and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services. The occupation is small – about 1,400 people – with a median age of 37 and a female share of 11%. Most work full‑time (91%), averaging 42 hours per week.

Tax deductions for engineers

The Australian Taxation Office provides a guide for engineers on work‑related deductions. You can claim expenses such as union fees, professional memberships, tools, equipment, and travel between worksites if you incur them in earning your income. Keep receipts and a logbook if needed. See the ATO’s engineers page for details.

Comparing your salary to benchmarks

It helps to see where your aeronautical engineering salary sits against the wider market. Our Benchmarks page shows the national minimum wage, all‑employee average weekly total earnings ($1,579.20), and full‑time ordinary time earnings ($2,083.70). The median for other engineering professionals ($2,649) is well above all three. If you are earning less, you might be in a junior role or a different industry segment.

Final thoughts

While a precise aeronautical engineering salary figure isn’t published, the data for the broader engineering professional group gives a solid reference point. Your actual take-home depends on your exact pay, tax offsets, and any deductions. Use our Clearance tool to run your own numbers, and always check your payslip against the tax withheld.