Aerospace Engineering Salary: Converting Hourly Rates to Annual Pay Under the Professional Employees Award
A graduate aerospace engineer covered by the Professional Employees Award earns at least $34.57 per hour, which equals $68,538 per year based on a 38-hour week and 52 weeks.
Understanding Your Aerospace Engineering Salary
If you work in aerospace engineering in Australia, your pay is likely covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020 (MA000065). This award sets minimum hourly rates for engineers, scientists, and IT professionals. To turn your hourly rate into an annual figure, use the simple formula: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. For a full-time employee, the standard ordinary hours are 38 per week, as defined by the Fair Work Ombudsman. This article explains how to calculate your aerospace engineering salary, including casual loading, superannuation, and tax.
Award Rates for Aerospace Engineers
Under the Professional Employees Award, the minimum annual wages for full-time employees are set out in clause 14. For a graduate aerospace engineer with a 4- or 5-year degree (Level 1, pay point 1.1), the annual wage is $68,538, which equates to $34.57 per hour. More experienced engineers at Level 2 earn $78,836 per year ($39.77 per hour). These rates apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, following the 4.75% increase to award minimum wages. If you are offered a salary, compare it to these award minima to ensure it meets legal requirements. You can check the full classification structure in the reference tables on this site.
Casual Loading for Aerospace Engineers
If you work as a casual aerospace engineer, you are entitled to a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For example, a casual graduate engineer would receive $34.57 × 1.25 = $43.21 per hour. This loading is paid instead of entitlements such as annual leave, personal leave, and public holiday pay. The award also requires a minimum engagement of 2 consecutive hours per shift. Use the casual loading page to see how this affects your take-home pay. Remember, when using our timesheet, enter your base hourly rate without the loading; the tool adds it for you if you select the casual checkbox.
Converting Hourly to Annual: The 38-Hour Week
To find your annual aerospace engineering salary, multiply your hourly rate by 38 (hours per week) and then by 52 (weeks per year). For a full-time Level 2 engineer: $39.77 × 38 × 52 = $78,836. This matches the award annual wage. If you are paid fortnightly, your gross pay is the weekly amount times two: $39.77 × 38 × 2 = $3,022.52 per fortnight. The hourly conversion guide provides more examples. Note that this calculation assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. For part-time employees, the same formula applies using your agreed weekly hours.
Superannuation Paid on Top
Employers must contribute superannuation guarantee at 12% of your ordinary earnings, on top of your base salary. For a graduate aerospace engineer earning $68,538 per year, that adds $8,224.56 in super, making total remuneration $76,762.56. Super is paid up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per quarter. This is separate from your take-home pay. Learn more about how super interacts with salary packaging on the super and packaging page.
Tax on Your Aerospace Engineering Salary
Your annual gross salary is subject to Australian resident tax rates for 2026–27: nil up to $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% from $45,001 to $135,000, 37% from $135,001 to $190,000, and 45% above $190,000. Additionally, a Medicare levy of 2% generally applies. For a graduate engineer earning $68,538, the estimated tax (including Medicare) is approximately $11,067, leaving a take-home pay of about $57,471. Use the take-home pay tool to estimate your net income. These figures are estimates and do not include HELP repayments or the Medicare levy surcharge.
Comparing to National Minimum Wage and Average Earnings
The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week for 38 hours). An aerospace engineering salary is well above this, reflecting the professional qualifications required. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, average weekly earnings for full-time adult ordinary time employees were $2,083.70 in May 2026. A Level 2 engineer earning $39.77 per hour ($1,511.26 per week) is below that average, but graduate rates are lower. The average pay page provides more context. Remember that award rates are minimums; many aerospace engineers earn above award through enterprise agreements or individual contracts.
Summary
To calculate your aerospace engineering salary, start with your hourly rate, multiply by 38 hours and 52 weeks. Add super of 12% on top, then deduct tax and Medicare to estimate take-home pay. Always check your award classification and any applicable enterprise agreement. For a quick calculation, use our timesheet. This guide is based on the Professional Employees Award and current legislation; individual circumstances may vary.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.