Average American Salary in Context
If you are searching for the average American salary, you have come to an Australian salary index. This site uses data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Fair Work, and the ATO to show how a given salary compares to the national full-time average. The average American salary is not tracked here, but we can explain how Australian benchmarks work and what factors move a salary above or below the Australian average.
The Australian Full-Time Average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, multiplied by 52). This figure comes from the ABS survey of average weekly ordinary time earnings for full-time adults, seasonally adjusted. It is the line on this site. Men’s full-time average is higher at about $113,412 per year, while women’s is about $100,594 per year.
Medians and Minimum Wage
The full-time median is about $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). These medians give a better sense of the typical worker than the average, which can be pulled up by high earners. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work). Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date.
State Variations
Full-time averages vary by state and territory. The highest is the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090 per year, followed by Western Australia at about $115,825 per year. New South Wales is about $109,658, Victoria about $106,137, Queensland about $106,064, South Australia about $102,450, the Northern Territory about $103,173, and Tasmania about $96,008 per year. These differences reflect industry mix, cost of living, and local labour markets. For more detail, see States and territories.
Tax Considerations
Australian resident tax rates for 2026–27 are progressive: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy adds 2% before any reductions. A salary above the full-time average of $108,352 falls into the 30% bracket (plus Medicare), so the marginal tax rate is 32%. This is relevant when comparing take-home pay between countries.
How the American Average Compares
The average American salary is not published by the ABS. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports median weekly earnings for full-time workers, which in 2025 were about $1,165 per week (roughly $60,580 per year), but this is a median, not an average, and methodology differs. Without a precise, comparable figure from a source we use, we cannot give an exact comparison. However, the Australian full-time average of $108,352 is higher than many published US averages, partly due to different definitions (e.g., ordinary time earnings exclude overtime and bonuses) and the composition of the workforce. For a direct comparison, you would need to consult US data and adjust for purchasing power parity.
What Moves a Salary Above or Below the Average
Several factors can push a salary above or below the national full-time average:
- Industry: Mining, professional services, and public administration tend to pay above average. Retail and hospitality pay below. The ABS publishes industry breakdowns in the Average Weekly Earnings survey.
- Location: As shown above, the ACT and WA have higher averages; Tasmania and South Australia have lower ones.
- Full-time vs part-time: The all-employees average is much lower ($1,579.20 per week, about $82,118 per year) because it includes part-time workers.
- Overtime: Full-time total earnings (including overtime) average $2,160.10 per week, slightly above ordinary time earnings.
- Gender: Men’s full-time average is about $13,000 higher than women’s, reflecting industry and occupational differences.
- Awards and enterprise agreements: Minimum award rates are set by Fair Work, but many employees earn above award through bargaining.
To see where your own salary sits, Place a salary on the line and compare it to the national full-time average. The tool shows weekly and hourly equivalents on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the average.
Conclusion
While the average American salary is not a figure we publish, the Australian benchmarks are clear. The national full-time average is $108,352 per year, with medians and minimums providing additional context. Understanding what moves a salary above or below that line helps in career planning, negotiation, and financial decisions.