National Average Salary Overview
The average full-time ordinary earnings in Australia are approximately $98,000 per year (before tax) as of the latest ABS data. However, the median salary — the midpoint where half of workers earn more and half earn less — is around $72,000.
The gap between the mean ($98K) and median ($72K) exists because high earners in mining, finance, and technology pull the average upward. The median is a better indicator of what a “typical” Australian worker earns.
These figures cover full-time adult ordinary time earnings and exclude overtime, bonuses, and casual loadings. Part-time and casual workers earn proportionally less based on hours worked.
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Enter your salary into our Pay Calculator to see your exact take-home pay, or use the Take-Home Pay Calculator for a detailed breakdown including tax, super, and Medicare.
Average Salary by Industry
Industry is the single biggest determinant of salary in Australia. Mining pays more than double the hospitality sector. The table below shows average full-time salaries by industry, sourced from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey.
| Industry | Average Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Mining | $130,000 | $97,183 |
| Information Technology | $110,000 | $84,883 |
| Financial Services | $105,000 | $81,783 |
| Construction | $95,000 | $75,583 |
| Healthcare | $90,000 | $72,483 |
| Education & Training | $85,000 | $69,383 |
| Manufacturing | $80,000 | $64,283 |
| Transport & Logistics | $78,000 | $63,043 |
| Agriculture | $60,000 | $50,483 |
| Administrative Services | $65,000 | $53,583 |
| Retail Trade | $58,000 | $49,243 |
| Hospitality | $55,000 | $47,383 |
Take-home estimates assume resident, no HECS, no PHI, and include tax + Medicare levy. Use our calculator for exact figures.
Mining's dominance reflects the remote location premiums, FIFO allowances, and the capital-intensive nature of the sector. The IT sector has seen strong salary growth driven by the global tech skills shortage. For detailed industry breakdowns, see our guides on Mining & FIFO Pay, Tech Salaries, Healthcare Worker Pay, and Retail & Hospitality Pay.
Average Salary by State & Territory
Location significantly impacts salary, with Western Australia leading due to its mining-driven economy and the ACT reflecting its concentration of public service and policy roles.
| State / Territory | Average Salary | Key Industries |
|---|---|---|
| Western Australia | $110,000 | Mining, Oil & Gas, Construction |
| New South Wales | $102,000 | Finance, Tech, Professional Services |
| ACT | $100,000 | Public Service, Defence, Education |
| Victoria | $95,000 | Finance, Healthcare, Manufacturing |
| Northern Territory | $95,000 | Mining, Government, Defence |
| Queensland | $90,000 | Mining, Tourism, Agriculture |
| South Australia | $85,000 | Defence, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
| Tasmania | $80,000 | Healthcare, Tourism, Agriculture |
For state-specific pay calculations including any regional considerations, use our state calculators: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, or NT.
Average Salary by Experience Level
Experience and seniority are the second largest salary drivers after industry. The table below shows typical salary ranges across career stages.
| Experience Level | Typical Range | Midpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate (0–2 years) | $55,000 – $65,000 | $60,000 |
| Early Career (2–5 years) | $65,000 – $85,000 | $75,000 |
| Mid-Career (5–10 years) | $80,000 – $100,000 | $90,000 |
| Senior (10–15 years) | $110,000 – $140,000 | $125,000 |
| Executive (15+ years) | $150,000 – $250,000+ | $180,000 |
Ranges are indicative and vary significantly by industry. Mining graduates may start at $75K+, while hospitality managers with 15 years may earn $70K.
For those starting their career, our First Job Pay Guide covers what to expect from your first payslip. If you are negotiating a salary increase, see how a raise impacts your take-home with the Pay Rise Calculator.
Salary Trends in Australia
Australian wages have grown moderately over recent years, with the Wage Price Index (WPI) tracking at approximately 3.5–4.0% annually. However, real wage growth (adjusted for inflation) has been more subdued, with CPI at times outpacing wage increases.
Key trends affecting salaries in 2025-26 include:
- Skills shortages — Healthcare, IT, engineering, and trades continue to see above-average wage growth due to persistent worker shortages.
- Remote work premium erosion — Salaries for remote-eligible roles are normalising as employers adjust to hybrid models.
- Minimum wage increases — FWC annual reviews have delivered above-inflation minimum wage rises in recent years, compressing the gap with median wages.
- Public sector catch-up — Government wages are rising as enterprise agreements are renegotiated after years of wage caps.
The gender pay gap in Australia remains at approximately 21.7% in total remuneration terms according to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, though this varies significantly by industry. Mining has one of the largest gaps, while healthcare and education have narrower differences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Data sources and methodology▼
Salary data is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings survey and Employee Earnings and Hours survey. Figures represent full-time adult ordinary time earnings. Take-home pay estimates use FY2025-26 resident tax brackets, 2% Medicare levy, and LITO. Individual results vary based on deductions, HECS-HELP debt, salary sacrifice, and other factors. Use our calculators for personalised figures.
Sources & References
- 1Average Weekly Earnings, Australia— Australian Bureau of Statistics
- 2Employee Earnings and Hours— Australian Bureau of Statistics
- 3Labour Force, Australia— Australian Bureau of Statistics
- 4Individual income tax rates— Australian Taxation Office
Last verified: 14 March 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.
Penny Ward
Verified AuthorEmployment & Workplace Rights Editor
B.Com (Hons), Cert IV Financial Planning
Penny is a financial journalist and workplace compliance specialist with over a decade of experience writing about Australian employment law, Fair Work entitlements, and payroll. She has contributed to publications covering industrial relations and personal finance, and previously advised small businesses on award interpretation and pay compliance.
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