Qantas Pilots Salary 2026: Award Rates and Industry Context

Qantas Pilots Salary 2026: What the Award Tells Us

When searching for "qantas pilots salary 2026", the most reliable public information comes from the Fair Work Ombudsman's Air Pilots Award 2020. This award sets the legal minimum for airline pilots in Australia, including those at regional airlines. Qantas pilots, however, are covered by enterprise agreements that typically pay above these award rates. This article explains the award minima, how they compare to the national salary index, and what state and industry differences mean for pilot pay.

Air Pilots Award 2020 Minimum Rates

The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide for the Air Pilots Award shows hourly rates for captains and first officers based on aircraft weight and type. For example:

• Captain, single engine under 1360 kg: $29.47 per hour
• Captain, multi-engine 19,000 kg and above: $50.73 per hour
• Captain, wide-body double-deck: $119.93 per hour
• First officer, single engine under 1360 kg: $26.45 per hour
• Regional airline captain (Airbus A320): $65.65 per hour

These rates apply from 14 July 2026, following the annual wage review. Pilots also receive a daily allowance of $138.85 when working on a rostered duty-free day. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database confirms these figures and notes they incorporate the 4.75% increase from the 2026 review.

How Pilot Pay Sits on the Salary Index

The Salary Index sets 100 as full-time adult ordinary-time earnings: $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352. A captain on the wide-body double-deck rate of $119.93 per hour, assuming 800 hours per year (a common benchmark in the award), would earn about $95,944 annually – an index of roughly 88.5. But that's before allowances and enterprise agreement top-ups. In practice, Qantas captains on long-haul aircraft earn significantly more, likely placing them above index 150.

For comparison, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour (index 48.2). Even the lowest award pilot rate ($26.45 for a first officer on a small single-engine) is just above the minimum wage. Most professional pilot roles sit well above the national line.

State and Industry Differences

Pilot pay is influenced by where you live and the industry you work in. The states page shows that Western Australia has the highest state index at 106.9 (annualised $115,825), while Tasmania is lowest at 88.6 ($96,008). Qantas is headquartered in New South Wales (index 101.2), but pilots may be based in other states. The industries page lists mining at index 154.7 and professional services at 114.7. Air transport is not separately indexed, but it's reasonable to expect Qantas pilot pay to exceed the national average, especially for experienced captains on wide-body aircraft.

Enterprise Agreements vs Award

It's important to note that the award is a floor, not a ceiling. Qantas has enterprise agreements with the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association and the Australian and International Pilots Association. These agreements typically include higher base rates, shift loadings, and superannuation above the 12% guarantee. Without a publicly available 2026 agreement, exact figures are uncertain. However, industry reports suggest Qantas captains on Boeing 787 or A380 aircraft can earn between $250,000 and $400,000 annually, which would place them on an index of 230 to 370.

Tax and Super Considerations

For a Qantas pilot earning $250,000 in 2026-27, the resident tax estimate (excluding Medicare) would be: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800, 30% on the next $90,000, 37% on the next $55,000, and 45% on the remaining $60,000. That's roughly $78,000 in tax, plus a 2% Medicare levy. Superannuation guarantee is 12% on earnings up to $270,830, so a pilot on $250,000 would receive $30,000 in super contributions.

Summary

While a precise "qantas pilots salary 2026" figure isn't publicly available, the award minima provide a baseline. Qantas pilots are likely paid well above the national average, with experienced captains on wide-body aircraft earning several times the national line. For the most accurate figures, refer to the Air Pilots Award or check enterprise agreements on the Fair Work Commission website.

For more context on how pay compares across Australia, see the Salary Index home page.