Qantas pilots are escalating their industrial campaign and planning a shareholder revolt even though senior captains earn more than the prime minister.

Figures obtained by News Ltd show the most senior pilots earn up to $536,000 a year. This is more than Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s base salary of $366,000.

Last year, some pilots received average pay rises of up to 17 per cent or $45,000, News Ltd said.

The leaked figures also showed that even a second officer on an A330 gets almost $150,000, on average, and starts on more than $110,000 a year.

The revelations come as the Australian and International Pilots Association plans a shareholder revolt against management decisions.