What a 6 Figure Salary Means in Australia
Earning a six-figure salary — $100,000 or more a year before tax — is often seen as a benchmark of financial success. But how does it stack up against official data? In 2026, the national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. Multiplied by 52 weeks, that's about $108,352 per year. So a six-figure salary sits just above the national average for full-time workers.
However, averages can be misleading. The median full-time weekly earnings are lower. The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey from August 2025 shows the median weekly earnings for full-time employees are $1,887.00, or about $90,532 per year. That means half of all full-time workers earn less than that. A six-figure salary is therefore above the median, placing you in the upper half of full-time earners.
How a 6 Figure Salary Compares to Other Benchmarks
- National minimum wage: From 1 July 2026, the Fair Work minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. A six-figure salary is nearly double that.
- All employees median: The median for all employees (including part-time) is $1,436 per week, or about $74,100 per year. A six-figure salary is well above this.
- Gender differences: Men's full-time average ordinary time earnings are about $113,412 per year; women's are about $100,594. So a six-figure salary is slightly above the average for women but below the average for men.
State and Territory Differences
Where you live matters. The ABS publishes full-time average weekly ordinary time earnings by state. Here are the annualised figures (× 52):
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
- Western Australia: $115,825
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- South Australia: $102,450
- Tasmania: $96,008
In the ACT and WA, a six-figure salary is below the state average. In Tasmania, it's above. For more detail, see States and territories.
What Moves a Salary Above or Below the Average?
Several factors push earnings above or below the six-figure mark:
- Industry: Mining, electricity, gas and water, and professional services tend to pay above average. The ABS Employee Earnings survey shows average hourly earnings in Mining at $74.10, well above the all-industries average. Industry medians can help you compare.
- Occupation: Managers and professionals have the highest hourly earnings — $69.20 and $64.50 respectively. Technicians and trades workers average $46.50. Sales workers average $33.40. See Job medians for more.
- Full-time vs part-time: Part-time workers earn a median of $769 per week, far below six figures. Full-time status is almost a prerequisite for a six-figure salary.
- Collective agreements vs individual arrangements: About 38.5% of employees have pay set by individual arrangement, and 34.6% by collective agreement. Those on individual arrangements often earn more.
Tax on a 6 Figure Salary
For the 2026–27 financial year, the ATO tax rates are:
- 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
- 45% above $190,000
Plus a 2% Medicare levy (with possible reductions for low-income earners). On a $100,000 salary, you'd pay about $22,967 in tax plus $2,000 Medicare levy, leaving about $75,033 after tax. On $108,352 (the average), tax is about $25,506 plus $2,167 Medicare, leaving about $80,679.
Is a 6 Figure Salary 'Good'?
It depends on your context. A six-figure salary is above the national median for full-time workers and well above the minimum wage. But in high-cost cities like Sydney or Canberra, it may not stretch as far. The ABS data shows that average earnings have grown 3.7% annually to May 2026, so the six-figure threshold is becoming more common.
To see where your own pay sits on the line, use Place a salary on the line. For more on how the figures are calculated, see How the figures are set.
Key Takeaways
- A six-figure salary ($100,000+) is slightly above the national full-time average of $108,352.
- It is well above the full-time median ($90,532) and the minimum wage ($52,255).
- State averages vary: in Tasmania a six-figure salary is above average; in the ACT it is below.
- Industry and occupation are major determinants of whether you earn six figures.
For further reading, check our Guides on salary negotiation and career planning.