Account Manager Salary in Sydney: A Snapshot
If you are an account manager in Sydney or considering the role, you probably want to know how the pay stacks up against the national benchmark. The most commonly cited figure for this role comes from private salary surveys, as the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a specific occupation-level average for account managers. According to PayScale data, the median base salary for an account manager in Sydney is about $78,045 per year. That figure is a median, meaning half of account managers earn more and half earn less. The range is wide: from around $59,000 for newcomers to $114,000 for seasoned professionals, with additional bonuses and commissions that can lift total pay significantly.
How It Compares to the National Full-Time Average
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings report for May 2026 shows that full-time adult ordinary time earnings (the site’s benchmark) are $2,083.70 per week, which works out to $108,352 per year when multiplied by 52. The Sydney account manager median of $78,045 is about 28% below that national line. It is also below the New South Wales full-time average of $109,658. However, it is important to note that the national average includes all full-time occupations, many of which are senior or highly specialised. Account management is often a mid-level commercial role, so a salary below the all-occupations average is not unusual.
For context, the all-employees median weekly earnings (including part-time and casual workers) were $1,425 per week in August 2025, or about $74,100 per year. The Sydney account manager median sits slightly above that broader median, indicating that full-time account managers tend to earn more than the typical worker across all employment types.
State and Territory Comparisons
If you are comparing across Australia, the full-time average varies by state. New South Wales sits at $109,658, Victoria at $106,137, Queensland at $106,064, South Australia at $102,450, Western Australia at $115,825, Tasmania at $96,008, the Northern Territory at $103,173, and the Australian Capital Territory at $119,090. The Sydney account manager median of $78,045 is below all state averages, but again, that is a median for one occupation versus an average across all full-time roles. For a more tailored comparison, you can Place a salary on the line to see how any figure measures up against the national line.
What the ABS Data Tells Us About Earnings
The ABS provides several useful benchmarks. The full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings for men are $2,181.50 per week ($113,438 per year) and for women $1,934.50 per week ($100,594 per year). The gender pay gap persists across most occupations. For account managers, the PayScale data does not break down by gender, but it is worth noting that the role is often commission-based, which can introduce variability.
The ABS also publishes median earnings for all employees: $1,436 per week in May 2025 (the most recent release), which is about $74,672 per year. That figure includes part-time and casual workers, so it is lower than the full-time median. The full-time median is estimated at around $90,532 per year based on the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours release. The Sydney account manager median of $78,045 falls between the all-employees median and the full-time median, which aligns with a mid-level professional role.
Minimum Wage and Award Coverage
Account managers are typically covered by individual arrangements or enterprise agreements rather than a specific award. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week, amounting to $52,255 per year. The Sydney account manager median is well above that floor. Award minimums rose by 4.75% in the latest review, but most account managers earn above award rates.
Tax Implications
For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates are: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000, 30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000, 37% on income between $135,001 and $190,000, and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income. On a salary of $78,045, the estimated tax is about $14,667 plus $1,561 Medicare levy, leaving around $61,817 net. This does not include the low-income tax offset or other deductions. For a more detailed breakdown, see the Guides section.
Where to Find More Information
The ABS releases Average Weekly Earnings twice a year, in May and November. The next release for November 2026 is due in February 2027. For occupation-specific data, private surveys like PayScale, Hays, and Robert Half are commonly used, but they are not official statistics. The ABS does publish industry medians and occupation data through the Employee Earnings and Hours survey, but it does not break down to the level of “account manager” specifically. For a broader view of how different roles compare, visit Industry medians or Job medians.
Final Thoughts
A salary of $78,045 as an account manager in Sydney places you below the national full-time average but above the all-employees median. It is a competitive starting point for the role, especially when bonuses and commissions are factored in. To see exactly where your salary sits on the line, use the Place a salary on the line tool. For state-by-state comparisons, check the States and territories page. Remember that the national average is a moving target, updated every six months by the ABS, so check back after each release to stay informed.