Pilot Salary in Australia: Award Rates and Take-Home Pay Guide

Introduction

If you are researching pilot salary in Australia, the first thing to know is that pay is not a single figure. It depends on the type of aircraft you fly, your role (captain or first officer), and whether you work in airlines, general aviation, or aerial application. The Air Pilots Award 2020 sets legally binding minimum rates, and actual salaries can be higher, especially at major airlines.

This guide uses the latest award rates from and tax information from the to show you what a typical pilot might take home after tax and the Medicare levy. We also compare these figures to the national minimum wage and full-time ordinary time earnings.

Award Minimum Rates

The Air Pilots Award 2020 covers most pilots in Australia. It classifies pay by aircraft weight and type, and by role. Here are some examples from the pay guide effective from July 2026:

Captain (full-time, per hour)

• Single engine up to 1360 kg: $29.47
• Multi engine 3360 kg up to 5660 kg: $35.68
• Wide-body single deck: $106.23
• Wide-body double deck: $119.93

First Officer / Second Pilot (full-time, per hour)

• Single engine up to 1360 kg: $26.45
• Multi engine 3360 kg up to 5660 kg: $27.88
• Airbus A320 / Boeing 737: $65.65

These hourly rates are for a 38-hour week. Annual salaries are calculated by multiplying the hourly rate by 38 hours and 52 weeks. For example, a captain on a multi-engine 3360–5660 kg aircraft earns $35.68 × 38 × 52 = $70,496 per year.

Take-Home Pay Example

Let’s work through the take-home pay for that captain earning the award minimum of $70,496 in the 2026–27 tax year. We assume no other income or deductions.

• Income tax: Using the resident tax rates, tax is $4,020 plus 30¢ for each dollar over $45,000. That’s $4,020 + 0.30 × ($70,496 – $45,000) = $11,669.
• Low Income Tax Offset (LITO): At $70,496, LITO is nil because it phases out above $66,667.
• Medicare levy: 2% of $70,496 = $1,410 (full rate applies as income exceeds the single threshold of $35,013).
• Total deductions: $11,669 + $1,410 = $13,079.
• Annual take-home: $70,496 – $13,079 = $57,417.
• Fortnightly take-home: $57,417 ÷ 26 = $2,208.

This is the amount that would reach your bank account after tax and Medicare. Superannuation of 12% is paid by your employer on top of the salary, so it does not reduce your take-home.

Comparison with National Benchmarks

How does this pilot salary compare to other Australian workers?

• National minimum wage: $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year. Our example captain earns $35.68 per hour, which is 35% above the minimum.
• Full-time adult ordinary time earnings: $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year (ABS, May 2026). The captain’s $70,496 is about 65% of that average. However, a captain on a wide-body aircraft earning $106.23 per hour would have an annual salary of $209,000+, well above the average.

Pilot pay spans a wide range. Entry-level first officers on small aircraft may earn close to the minimum wage, while senior captains on large jets earn significantly more.

Tax and Medicare Considerations

As a pilot, you must include all salary, wages, and allowances in your tax return. The ATO allows you to claim work-related deductions for expenses such as:

• Uniforms and protective equipment
• Travel and accommodation when away from home
• Professional development and licence renewals
• Union fees

If you receive an allowance from your employer (e.g., for meals or travel), you may need to declare it as income if you claim deductions. Always keep receipts and records.

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. If your income is below $28,011 (single), you pay no levy; between $28,011 and $35,013, you pay a reduced rate. Full-time pilots almost always exceed the upper threshold, so the full 2% applies.

Conclusion

Pilot salary in Australia is not a one-size-fits-all figure. The Air Pilots Award sets minimum rates that vary widely by aircraft and role. Using the award minimum for a mid-range captain, your take-home pay would be around $57,400 per year, or $2,208 per fortnight. Actual earnings can be much higher, especially for pilots on wide-body aircraft or with seniority.

For a personalised estimate of your own take-home pay, use our Take-home pay calculator. To understand how tax and Medicare affect your income, see our Tax and Medicare guide. And remember, super is additional – your employer must contribute 12% on top of your salary.

This estimate is for illustration only. It excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll rounding. Always consult a tax professional for your specific situation.