How the average monthly salary is measured
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish a direct "average monthly salary" figure. Instead, it reports weekly earnings in its Average Weekly Earnings survey, released twice a year for May and November. The most recent release for May 2026 shows that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week. To get a monthly figure, multiply by 52 weeks and divide by 12, giving approximately $9,030 per month, or $108,352 per year. This is the figure used as the national line on this site.
It's important to note that this is an average of ordinary-time earnings for full-time adults, not including overtime. It is also a mean, which can be skewed by very high incomes. For a more typical figure, the median is often more representative.
Where your pay sits on the line
Place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average. If your monthly salary is above $9,030, you are earning more than the average full-time worker. If it's below, you are below the average. But remember, many factors affect where your pay falls.
The median picture
The ABS Employee Earnings survey for August 2025 gives a different perspective. The median weekly earnings for full-time employees was $1,741, or about $7,544 per month. For all employees (including part-time), the median was $1,425 per week, about $6,175 per month. This shows that half of all full-time workers earn less than $7,544 per month, even though the average is higher.
The minimum wage floor
From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. That works out to about $4,354 per month, or $52,255 per year. Award minimums increased by 4.75% from the same date. If your pay is near the minimum, you are well below the average.
What moves pay above or below the average
Several factors can push your monthly salary above or below the national average.
Industry and occupation
The industry you work in has a big impact. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings shows that the public sector pays more on average than the private sector: full-time ordinary-time earnings in the public sector were $2,263.10 per week ($9,806 per month), compared to $2,034.10 in the private sector ($8,814 per month). Occupation also matters: managers had median weekly earnings of $2,072 in August 2025, while sales workers had $742. Professionals earned a median of $1,900 per week. Job medians can help you see where your role sits.
State and territory
Where you live affects your pay. The highest full-time average is in the Australian Capital Territory at $2,290.20 per week ($9,924 per month), followed by Western Australia at $2,227.40 ($9,652 per month). Tasmania has the lowest at $1,846.30 ($8,001 per month). States and territories provides a full breakdown.
Gender
There remains a gap between men's and women's average earnings. For full-time adults, men's average ordinary-time earnings were $2,181.00 per week ($9,451 per month), while women's were $1,934.50 ($8,383 per month). This gap is partly due to differences in industry and occupation distribution.
Full-time vs part-time
The averages above are for full-time workers. Part-time workers earn less on average. The all-employees average weekly total earnings (including part-time) was $1,579.20 per week ($6,843 per month). If you work part-time, your monthly salary will likely be below the full-time average.
Qualifications and experience
Higher qualifications generally lead to higher pay. The ABS Employee Earnings survey shows that employees with a bachelor degree or higher had median weekly earnings of $1,800, compared to $1,200 for those with Year 12 or below.
Overtime and bonuses
The average ordinary-time earnings exclude overtime. If you regularly work overtime or receive bonuses, your total earnings could be higher than the average. The average weekly total earnings for full-time adults was $2,160.00 per week ($9,360 per month), slightly above ordinary-time earnings.
How the figures are set
The ABS calculates these averages from a survey of employers. It is not a median or a minimum. How the figures are set explains the methodology. The national minimum wage is set by Fair Work after an annual review.
Using this information
If you are evaluating a salary offer or planning your career, compare your monthly salary to the national average of about $9,030. But also consider the median for your occupation and state. Industry medians can give you a more targeted benchmark. Remember that the average is just one point of reference; your personal circumstances and cost of living matter too.
For tax purposes, the 2026–27 resident tax rates apply: nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that, plus the 2% Medicare levy. Your after-tax monthly salary will be lower than the gross figures discussed here.
About this site provides more context on how we use ABS data to create the salary line.