Australia's flag carrier and one of the world's oldest airlines — widebody captain pay ranks among the highest in the Asia-Pacific.
An Qantas captain earns an average of $233K per year, typically $196K–$340K. First officers average $132K ($104K–$196K). Figures are gross annual pay, before tax. Figures are as of March 2026.
Founded in 1920, Qantas Airways is one of the oldest airlines in the world and Australia's flag carrier. From its Sydney and Melbourne hubs it flies to Europe, North America, Asia and the South Pacific, and is a founding member of the Oneworld alliance. It also operates the low-cost subsidiary Jetstar and holds a large share of the Australian domestic market.
In 2025–2026 Qantas plans to launch Project Sunrise, non-stop Sydney–London service flown with the A350-1000 — set to be the world's longest commercial route. Australia levies income tax (up to 45%), but pilots benefit from public healthcare (Medicare) and a strong superannuation retirement scheme.
* Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks. Verify actual compensation with each airline's official recruitment information.
| Position | Salary Range | Avg / Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain International widebody |
$196K–$340K |
$233K | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
$104K–$196K |
$132K | Seniority-based |
AUD-denominated and pre-tax; first officer pay is seniority-based. Figures converted at AUD/JPY = 103. Australia's income tax reaches 45% at the top bracket, but pilots receive public healthcare (Medicare) and superannuation (statutory 11%+ retirement contributions). Reference values based on public and industry data.
Modeled from the captain / first-officer ranges above, sliced into standard career stages. Bands marked est. are derived from those ranges (not official); verified bands come from active-pilot data. Management pay is crowd-sourced from verified pilots.
| Career Stage | Years | Annual (pre-tax) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadet / Trainee | ≤2 yrs | $31K–$52K | est. |
| First Officer — Junior | 3–5 yrs | $104K–$146K | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | $130K–$170K | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | $155K–$196K | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | $196K–$261K | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | $237K–$299K | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | $275K–$340K | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
From its Sydney and Melbourne hubs, Qantas serves Europe (London, Frankfurt), North America (Los Angeles, San Francisco), Asia (Tokyo, Beijing, Singapore) and the South Pacific, alongside a large domestic network.
Boeing 787-9, B737 MAX 10, Airbus A380-800, A350-1000 (on order) and A321neo — around 200 aircraft.
Type training at CASA (Australia) or CAA New Zealand certified centers, using OEM facilities or Qantas' own simulators.
After the type rating, line flying under supervision with an instructor captain — typically around 50–80 legs.
Proficiency checks once or twice a year, in line with each country's civil aviation regulations.
Seniority-based. Promotion via internal assessment once CASA/CAA NZ requirements are met.
Discounted or free travel for the employee and family, including on alliance partner airlines.
Australia/NZ public healthcare (Medicare/ACC) plus private health cover including dental.
Australia: Superannuation (statutory 11%+ contributions); NZ: KiwiSaver — a robust retirement savings scheme.
20–25 days per year, in line with Australian and New Zealand labor law.
Duty allowances paid while on trips, differing between domestic and international flying.
Varied flying across the South Pacific, Asia, Europe, North America and within Oceania.
Hiring status: Actively recruiting on an ongoing basis. Open to CASA ATPL holders; Australian work authorization required.
Pilot work may be possible on a long-term Australian work visa (e.g. TSS/482). A JCAB-to-CASA license conversion is required.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas 🇦🇺 | $196K–$340K | $104K–$196K | Income tax applies |
| ANA 🇯🇵 | $138K–$220K | $88K–$132K | ~33% (Japan) |
| JAL 🇯🇵 | $138K–$220K | $88K–$132K | ~33% (Japan) |
* Salary figures are SSOT reference values (pre-tax unless marked tax-free). ANA / JAL shown as the Japan baseline — ~33% income tax applies in Japan, so after-tax take-home is lower than the headline. Tax-free carriers pay 100% take-home. Verify exact figures with each airline.
Qantas captain pay averages about $233K per year (range $196K–$340K), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
Qantas first officer pay averages about $132K per year (range $104K–$196K), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
Captain & First Officer — Ongoing Recruitment — Domestic and international flying. Sydney / Melbourne based.. Key requirements — License: CASA ATPL (or ICAO mutual recognition); English: ICAO Level 4 or higher; Min Flight Time: 5,000h+ for Captain (widebody experience preferred); Work Eligibility: Australian citizen / PR / work visa required. Pilot work may be possible on a long-term Australian work visa (e.g. TSS/482). A JCAB-to-CASA license conversion is required.
Qantas captains average $233K, versus roughly $170K at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.
Dividing the annual average by 12, Qantas captains earn about $19K a month and first officers about $11K. What actually lands each month moves with block hours flown, and where an annual bonus is paid the regular monthly figure sits lower with a spike in the bonus month.
Qantas first officers average $132K and captains $233K — a step of about $101K, or roughly 1.8×. The full range runs $104K to $340K, and where you sit inside it is set by seniority, type rating and the routes you fly. The seniority table on this page breaks the same range into career stages.
Every figure on this page is gross, before income tax. Captains average $233K and first officers $132K pre-tax, and income tax, social insurance and any local levies come out of that. Take-home depends on where you are resident and on your own deductions, so no single percentage applies. Airlines based in countries with no personal income tax — the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia — leave more of the same gross figure in your hand.
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Pilot salary in Australia 2 airlines · captain avg $192K