What is the typical hourly rate for an aerospace engineer under the Professional Employees Award?

The Professional Employees Award 2020 sets minimum hourly rates for aerospace engineers. As of 1 July 2026, a graduate (Level 1, 3-year degree) earns $33.71 per hour, an experienced professional (Level 2) earns $39.77 per hour, and a senior professional (Level 3) earns $43.46 per hour. Higher levels go up to $59.05 per hour. These are minimums; many employers pay above award.

How do I convert an hourly aerospace engineer salary to an annual figure?

Multiply the hourly rate by the number of hours worked per week, then by 52. For a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours per week, the formula is hourly × 38 × 52. For example, $43.46 per hour (Level 3) gives $85,877 annually. The fortnightly amount is hourly × 76. This assumes no overtime, penalty rates, or allowances.

Does the aerospace engineer salary include superannuation?

No, the hourly and annual rates shown in the award are base wages. Employers must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a $85,877 annual salary, super adds $10,305, paid separately by the employer.

Aerospace Engineer Salary: Hourly to Annual Conversion Guide

Under the Professional Employees Award, an aerospace engineer's hourly rate ranges from $33.71 (Level 1 graduate) to $59.05 (Level 5 experienced), based on a 38-hour week.

Understanding the Aerospace Engineer Salary

When researching an aerospace engineer salary in Australia, the most authoritative source is the Professional Employees Award 2020, published by the Fair Work Ombudsman. This award sets minimum hourly rates for engineers and other professionals. As of 1 July 2026, the rates increased by 4.75%. For a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours per week, the annual salary is calculated as hourly rate × 38 × 52. This is the standard conversion used by our hourly conversion tool.

Award Classifications for Aerospace Engineers

The award defines several classification levels. A graduate aerospace engineer with a 3-year degree (Level 1, Pay Point 1.1) earns $33.71 per hour, or $66,825 annually. With a 4 or 5-year degree, the rate is $34.57 per hour ($68,538 annual). After one year of experience (Pay Point 1.2), it rises to $35.15 per hour ($69,688 annual). An experienced professional (Level 2) earns $39.77 per hour ($78,836 annual). A senior or lead professional (Level 3) earns $43.46 per hour ($86,157 annual). For highly experienced roles, Level 4 pays $49.02 per hour ($97,173 annual) and Level 5 pays $59.05 per hour ($117,064 annual). Most aerospace engineers would be classified at Level 2 or 3, depending on experience and responsibilities. The award also includes a separate schedule for medical research employees, but the engineering classifications are the relevant ones.

Converting Hourly to Annual

The formula is straightforward: annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52. Assuming a 38-hour week, multiply the hourly rate by 1,976. For example, at Level 3 ($43.46/hour), annual = $43.46 × 1,976 = $85,876.96. The fortnightly gross is weekly × 2, or hourly × 76. So $43.46 × 76 = $3,302.96 per fortnight. This is useful for budgeting. Our the timesheet can do this calculation for any hourly rate. Note that the award calculates the hourly rate from the annual wage using the formula: hourly = (annual × 6/313) / 38, which accounts for the fact that there are 313 weekdays in a year (excluding weekends). This gives the same result as the simple division by 52 weeks.

Casual Employment

If you work as a casual aerospace engineer, you receive a 25% loading on the base hourly rate. For Level 3, casual rate = $43.46 × 1.25 = $54.33 per hour. The annual equivalent (if you worked full-time hours) would be $54.33 × 1,976 = $107,345. However, casuals do not accrue annual leave or sick leave. The award also requires a minimum engagement of 2 hours per shift. See our casual loading page for more.

Part-Time Work

Part-time employees work fewer than 38 hours per week, agreed in writing. They are paid the same hourly rate as full-time employees, pro rata for leave and other entitlements. For example, a part-time aerospace engineer working 20 hours per week at Level 3 would earn $43.46 × 20 × 52 = $45,198.40 annually. The award requires that part-time employees have a specified number of ordinary hours each week.

Tax and Medicare

Using the 2026–27 resident tax scale from the Australian Taxation Office, tax is progressive. For an annual gross of $85,877 (Level 3), tax is calculated as: $0 on first $18,200; 15% on $18,201–$45,000 ($4,020); 30% on $45,001–$85,877 ($12,263.10); total tax $16,283.10. Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income, so $1,717.54. Total deductions = $18,000.64, leaving take-home pay of $67,876.36 annually, or $2,610.63 per fortnight. Use our take-home pay calculator for your specific rate. Note that the Medicare levy surcharge may apply if you earn above $90,000 (single) and do not have private hospital cover, but it is not included in this estimate.

Superannuation

Employers must contribute super guarantee at 12% of ordinary earnings, on top of the salary. For the $85,877 annual, super = $10,305.24, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. This is not deducted from your pay; it's an additional cost. See super and packaging for details.

Comparison with National Minimum Wage and Averages

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. An aerospace engineer's award rate is significantly higher. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adults (May 2026) is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 annually. An aerospace engineer at Level 3 ($85,877) is below that average, but with experience can reach Level 4 ($97,173) or Level 5 ($117,064), which exceeds the average. Our average pay page provides more context.

Important Notes

The annual figure calculated here assumes the same hourly rate every week, 38 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice. Actual pay may vary. The award also includes penalty rates for work on weekends and public holidays, which are not included in this basic conversion. For a full breakdown, refer to the pay guides from Fair Work. The Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool can provide personalized rates based on your classification and circumstances.

Using Award Rates vs Recruiter Surveys

While recruiter surveys may suggest higher salaries for aerospace engineers, the award rates are the legal minimum. Many employers pay above award, especially for experienced professionals. However, for accurate budgeting and comparison, it's best to start with the award rates and then adjust for market conditions. The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides are updated annually and reflect the legal minimums.