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What Moves Your Annual Salary Above or Below the National Average

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average annual salary is $108,352, based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Understanding Your Annual Salary Against the National Average

Your annual salary is the total you earn before tax in a year. In Australia, the national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This figure is the benchmark line on this site. But where does your pay sit? And what moves it above or below that line?

The Benchmark: National Full-Time Average

The ABS calculates Average Weekly Earnings twice a year, for May and November. The latest published figure (May 2026) gives a weekly ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 for full-time adults. Multiply by 52 weeks to get the annual salary of $108,352. This is the line we use. It is an average, not a median, so it can be pulled up by high earners.

Medians Give a Different Picture

The ABS Employee Earnings survey (August 2025) reports the full-time median annual salary at about $90,532. That means half of all full-time workers earn less than that. The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100. If your annual salary is above $90,532, you are above the typical full-time worker. If it is below, you are in the lower half.

The Minimum Wage Floor

From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week. That works out to an annual salary of about $52,255. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from the same date. If your annual salary is near this figure, you are likely on an award or the minimum. This is well below the national average, so factors like industry, experience, and location are needed to move it higher.

What Pushes Your Annual Salary Above the Average?

Several factors can lift your pay above the $108,352 line:

  • Industry: High-paying industries include mining, information technology, and professional services. For example, the mining industry often pays well above the national average.
  • Occupation: Specialist roles such as surgeons, airline pilots, and senior managers command high annual salaries. The Job medians page shows typical pay for hundreds of occupations.
  • Location: The Australian Capital Territory has the highest state average at $119,090, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. Working in these regions increases your chance of being above the national line. See States and territories for more.
  • Experience and seniority: More years in a role or management responsibilities push annual salary up.
  • Overtime and bonuses: Ordinary-time average excludes overtime, but your actual annual salary may include penalty rates, bonuses, or commissions.

What Keeps Your Annual Salary Below the Average?

Conversely, these factors tend to keep pay lower:

  • Part-time or casual work: The national average is for full-time adults. Part-time workers earn less annually by definition.
  • Award-reliant roles: Many retail, hospitality, and care workers are on awards that set rates below the average.
  • Entry-level positions: Graduates and apprentices often start below the average.
  • Location: Tasmania has the lowest state average at $96,008. Even full-time workers there may earn below the national line.
  • Gender pay gap: The ABS data shows men's full-time average at about $113,412, women's at $100,594. Women are more likely to be below the national average.

How to Use This Site

You can Place a salary on the line to see how your annual salary compares to the national average, the median, and the minimum wage. The tool shows your weekly and hourly equivalents on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the line.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

Your annual salary before tax is what we use. For 2026–27, the tax-free threshold is $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy adds 2% (with possible reductions). If your annual salary is $108,352, your marginal rate is 30% plus Medicare, but your effective rate is lower.

Summary

Your annual salary relative to the national average depends on your industry, occupation, location, hours, and award coverage. The national full-time average of $108,352 is a useful benchmark, but the median of $90,532 may be more representative for typical workers. Use the Guides for more on negotiating pay and understanding your position.

For a deeper dive into how the figures are set, see How the figures are set.

Questions

What is the national full-time average annual salary in Australia?

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average annual salary is $108,352, derived from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings of $2,083.70 per week multiplied by 52 weeks (May 2026). This is the benchmark line used on this site.

How do industry and occupation affect whether my annual salary is above or below average?

Industry and occupation are major drivers. For example, mining and professional services tend to pay above the national average, while retail and hospitality often pay below. The ABS Employee Earnings data (August 2025) shows the full-time median is about $90,532, meaning half of full-time workers earn less. Award minimums, which rose 4.75% from 1 July 2026, also set floors that can keep annual salaries below the average in lower-paid roles.

How does location impact my annual salary relative to the national average?

Location matters significantly. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest full-time average at $119,090, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. Tasmania has the lowest at $96,008. If you work in a state with a higher average, your annual salary is more likely to be above the national line, while those in lower-average states may find their pay below it.

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