Understanding the Australia Median Salary
When people ask for the "Australia median salary," they usually want a single figure that represents the middle of the pay scale. Unlike the average, which can be skewed by very high incomes, the median tells you what a typical worker earns. The most recent data from the ABS Employee Earnings report (August 2025) gives two key medians: $90,532 a year for full-time employees and $74,100 a year for all employees (including part-time and casual workers).
How the Median Compares to the National Average
The national full-time average, from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026), is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year. That is roughly $17,820 higher than the full-time median. The gap exists because a relatively small number of very high earners pull the average up, while the median stays closer to what most people earn. For context, the men's full-time average is about $113,412 and women's about $100,594, both above the median.
Reading the Same Pay as a Year, Week, and Hour
The on-site tool lets you enter a yearly salary before tax and see it as a weekly and hourly figure on a 38-hour week. For the full-time median of $90,532:
- Yearly: $90,532
- Weekly: $1,741 ($90,532 ÷ 52)
- Hourly: $45.82 ($1,741 ÷ 38)
For the all-employees median of $74,100:
- Yearly: $74,100
- Weekly: $1,425 ($74,100 ÷ 52)
- Hourly: $37.50 ($1,425 ÷ 38)
These are gross figures. After tax and the Medicare levy (2%), the take-home amount will be lower. The 2026–27 tax rates start at nil for income up to $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that.
Where the Median Sits Against the Minimum Wage
Fair Work sets the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 at $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 a week on 38 hours ($52,255 a year). The full-time median is about 73% higher than that minimum. Even the all-employees median is about 42% higher. Award minimums rose 4.75% in the same decision, so many workers under awards earn more than the base minimum but still below the median.
State and Territory Differences
Full-time averages vary across Australia, and medians tend to follow similar patterns. The highest full-time average is in the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. Tasmania has the lowest at $96,008. If you are comparing your salary to the national median, it helps to look at your state's average as well. For a state-by-state breakdown, see our States and territories page.
How Medians Are Used in Practice
Employers and employees often use the median to benchmark salaries. Because it is less affected by outliers, it gives a realistic target for a typical role. The ABS publishes medians for occupations and industries, which you can explore on our Job medians and Industry medians pages. For example, a full-time median of $90,532 means that if you earn that amount, you are exactly in the middle of the full-time workforce.
What About Part-Time and Casual Workers?
The all-employees median of $74,100 includes everyone—full-time, part-time, and casual. Since part-time and casual workers often earn less per year, this median is lower than the full-time median. If you work part-time, your annual salary may be below the all-employees median even if your hourly rate is above the minimum. The Guides section has more on how to interpret your pay in context.
Why the Median Matters More Than the Average
For most workers, the median is a better benchmark than the average. The average can be misleading because a small number of very high salaries (like executives or specialists) push it up. The median tells you what the person in the middle earns. If you are negotiating a raise or choosing a career, the median gives a realistic picture of what is typical.
How the Figures Are Set
The ABS collects earnings data through surveys of employers. The Average Weekly Earnings series is published twice a year (May and November), while the Employee Earnings and Hours survey (which gives medians) is less frequent. The most recent median data is from August 2025. For more on methodology, see How the figures are set.
Putting Your Salary on the Line
Once you know the median, you can see where your own pay sits. Use our tool to Place a salary on the line and compare it to the national full-time average of $108,352. The tool shows your weekly and hourly equivalents on a 38-hour week, plus how far you are from the average. If your salary is close to the median, you are in the middle of the pack; if it is above the average, you are in the top half.
Summary
The Australia median salary is $90,532 for full-time workers and $74,100 for all employees. These figures come from the ABS and are the best measure of typical earnings. They are lower than the national average of $108,352 because of high earners at the top. When you read your salary as a year, week, or hour, keep the median in mind as a realistic benchmark. For more detail, explore the About this site page.