How is casual loading applied to aeronautical engineers?

Casual aeronautical engineers receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. This loading compensates for entitlements such as annual leave and sick leave that casual employees do not receive. For a Level 2 aeronautical engineer at $39.77 per hour, the casual rate becomes $49.71 per hour. The loading is paid on top of the base rate and is clearly shown in the award's summary of hourly rates.

Does superannuation count as part of the aeronautical engineering salary?

No, superannuation is paid on top of the salary. Under the Super Guarantee, employers must contribute 12% of ordinary earnings into a super fund. For a full-time aeronautical engineer earning $78,836 per year, the super contribution is an additional $9,460.32 (up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830). The salary figure you see in award tables or your pay slip does not include super.

Aeronautical Engineering Salary: Award Rates, Casual Loading & Super Paid on Top

Q: What is the aeronautical engineering salary under the Professional Employees Award?

Under the Professional Employees Award 2020, aeronautical engineers are classified from Level 1 (graduate) to Level 5. Minimum hourly rates range from $33.71 (Level 1, 3-year degree) to $59.05 (Level 5). For a full-time employee working 38 hours per week, the annual salary is the hourly rate multiplied by 38 × 52. For example, a Level 2 experienced professional at $39.77 per hour earns $78,836 per year before tax and super.

A full-time aeronautical engineer at Level 2 under the Professional Employees Award earns a minimum hourly rate of $39.77, or $78,836 annually based on 38 hours per week, with super paid on top.

Understanding the Aeronautical Engineering Salary

Aeronautical engineers in Australia are covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020, which sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates, and conditions. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes these rates and the award is updated each 1 July. From 1 July 2026, award wages increased by 4.75%, and the National Minimum Wage rose to $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours.

Award Classification Levels

The award classifies aeronautical engineers from Level 1 (graduate) to Level 5 (experienced). The minimum annual wages for full-time employees are:

Level 1 Graduate (3-year degree): $66,825 per year, $33.71 per hour
Level 1 Graduate (4 or 5-year degree): $68,538 per year, $34.57 per hour
Level 2 Experienced professional: $78,836 per year, $39.77 per hour
Level 3 Professional: $86,157 per year, $43.46 per hour
Level 4 Professional: $97,173 per year, $49.02 per hour
Level 5 Experienced medical research employee: $117,064 per year, $59.05 per hour

These rates are the minimums. Actual earnings may be higher depending on experience, qualifications, and enterprise agreements. For a typical aeronautical engineer, the median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial employees (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) are around $2,083 per week, but the award provides the legal floor.

Hourly to Annual: The 38-Hour Week

The formula for converting an hourly rate to an annual salary is straightforward: hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For full-time employees under the award, ordinary hours are 38 per week. For a part-time employee working fewer hours, the pay is pro-rata. For a casual employee, the same formula applies but with the casual loading added.

Example: Level 2 Aeronautical Engineer

Take a Level 2 aeronautical engineer at $39.77 per hour. For a 38-hour week, the weekly pay is $39.77 × 38 = $3,022.46 per week. The fortnight is $6,044.92 (weekly × 2). The annual gross is $39.77 × 38 × 52 = $78,836. The super guarantee of 12% is paid on top, adding $9,460.46 per year, up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base.

Casual Loading and Super Paid on Top

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. This loading is paid instead of entitlements such as annual leave, sick leave, and annual leave. The casual loading is calculated as the base rate plus 25% of the base rate. For a Level 2 aeronautical engineer at $39.77 per hour, the casual rate is $49.71 per hour. The loading is paid on top of the base rate. The award's summary of hourly rates includes these penalty rates for casual employees.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

The National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour for award-free employees. The Professional Employees Award rates are higher for aeronautical engineers. The award also provides penalty rates for work outside ordinary hours: Monday to Saturday before 6 am or after 10 pm, Sunday any time, and public holidays. For casual employees, penalty rates are 150% Monday to Saturday before 6 am, 150% after 10 pm, 175% Sunday, 175% public holiday.

Using Our Timesheet

Our the timesheet allows you to enter your base hourly rate and optionally add the 25% casual loading. The calculator then shows your weekly, fortnightly, and annual gross pay, plus estimated tax and super. The tax uses the 2026-27 resident rates with the full tax-free threshold and Medicare levy. The super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base.

Important Notes

The formula assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice.
Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base.
Tax is the 2026-27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold.
Medicare uses the 2025-26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026-27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here.
HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted.

For more detailed pay guides, see our pay guides page. For reference tables of award rates, see our reference tables. For information on casual loading, see our casual loading page. For super and packaging, see our super and packaging page.

Conclusion

The aeronautical engineering salary under the Professional Employees Award provides a clear minimum. Use the hourly conversion formula to estimate your annual salary. Remember that casual loading adds 25% on top of the base rate, and super is paid on top of the salary. Our timesheet helps you see the full picture.