Qantas pilot salary: award rates and what they mean for pay

What the Air Pilots Award says about pilot pay

When searching for a qantas pilot salary, the first place to look is the Air Pilots Award 2020 (MA000046), which sets the legal minimum for pilots in Australia. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide with hourly rates for dozens of aircraft types. For example, a Captain on a narrow body aircraft (like a Boeing 737) earns at least $92.52 per hour under the award, plus $138.85 per day if working on a rostered duty-free day. A First Officer on the same aircraft earns less, starting at $27.88 per hour for multi-engine aircraft under 3360 kg.

The award also specifies annual salaries for some classifications. The Fair Work Commission's award page gives an example: a Captain flying a multi-engine aircraft between 3360 kg and 5660 kg has a minimum annual salary of $70,496. That figure includes additions for things like a command instrument rating. To put that in perspective, the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings (the index base of 100) is $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). So the award minimum for that Captain sits at an index of about 65 – well below the national line.

How Qantas pilot salaries differ from award rates

Qantas is not named in the Air Pilots Award. Like most major airlines, Qantas pilots are covered by enterprise agreements negotiated between the airline and the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) or other unions. These agreements typically pay well above the award minimums. For example, a Qantas Captain flying a wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 787 might earn a base salary in the range of $200,000 to $300,000 per year, depending on seniority and hours. However, those specific figures are not published in the public award sources used here. The Modern Awards Pay Database from the Fair Work Commission only contains award rates, not enterprise agreement data.

State and industry differences also matter. The on-site reference shows that the mining industry has an index of 154.7, while retail trade is 75.9. Aviation doesn't have a separate industry index in this data, but pilots in Western Australia (state index 106.9) might have slightly higher cost-of-living pressures than those in Tasmania (88.6). The award rates themselves are national, but enterprise agreements can vary by airline and base.

Using the salary index to compare

The Salary Index helps you see where a pay figure sits against the national line. To calculate it: take the yearly gross salary, divide by $108,352, and multiply by 100. For the award Captain earning $70,496, that's an index of 65. For a hypothetical Qantas Captain earning $250,000, the index would be 231 – more than double the national average. But without a published Qantas salary, we can only use the award as a floor.

State and industry context

The on-site reference provides state indexes: NSW 101.2, VIC 98, QLD 97.9, SA 94.6, WA 106.9, TAS 88.6, NT 95.2, ACT 109.9. A pilot based in Western Australia or the ACT might expect higher pay to match local earnings, but award rates don't vary by state. Enterprise agreements often include location allowances. Similarly, industry indexes show that professional, scientific and technical services sit at 114.7, while accommodation and food services are at 72.5. Aviation isn't listed, but it likely falls somewhere between retail and professional services.

What the award means for a Qantas pilot salary

If you're researching a qantas pilot salary, the award gives you a starting point. The minimum hourly rates for a Captain range from $29.47 (small single-engine) to $119.93 (wide-body double deck). For a First Officer, the range is $26.45 to $27.88 for smaller aircraft. These are the legal floors. Qantas pilots, especially those on long-haul international routes, earn multiples of these figures. The pay guides from Fair Work Ombudsman are useful for understanding the award structure, but they won't tell you what Qantas actually pays.

Superannuation and tax considerations

Superannuation is mandatory. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. This is on top of the salary. For a Qantas pilot earning $250,000, that's an extra $30,000 per year into super. Tax-wise, the 2026–27 resident rates apply: 30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000, 37% on $135,001 to $190,000, and 45% above $190,000. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A pilot on $250,000 would have a marginal rate of 47% (including Medicare), but take-home pay depends on deductions and the tax-free threshold.

Where to find more information

For award rates, the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides are the best starting point. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database has downloadable spreadsheets with all classifications. For enterprise agreements, you can search the Fair Work Commission's agreement database, but those are not included in this analysis. The Salary Index can help you compare any salary to the national line, whether it's an award rate or an enterprise agreement figure.

Final note on Qantas pilot salary

A qantas pilot salary is not a single number. It varies by aircraft type, seniority, base, and the specific enterprise agreement. The award minimums are a useful benchmark, but actual pay for a Qantas Captain is likely to be two to three times the award rate. Without published Qantas data, the index comparison remains uncertain. For a more precise figure, you would need to consult the Qantas pilot enterprise agreement or speak to a current pilot.