Average Salary in Sydney: A Guide for Workers and Job Seekers
If you are looking for the average salary in Sydney, you will not find a single official figure from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The ABS publishes state-level data, not city-level. The closest proxy is the New South Wales full-time adult ordinary-time average, which stands at $109,658 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is about $1,306 above the national full-time average of $108,352.
Understanding the National Full-Time Average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52 weeks). This figure comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings series, released twice a year (May and November). It represents the average weekly earnings of full-time adult employees in ordinary time, before tax. The site's line is set at this national average.
For comparison, the full-time median salary is $90,532, and the all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The median is the middle value – half earn more, half earn less. The average is pulled higher by high earners.
New South Wales and Sydney
New South Wales has the second-highest state full-time average after the Australian Capital Territory. The NSW average of $109,658 is about 1.2% above the national average. While Sydney likely has a higher average than regional NSW, the ABS does not break down earnings by city. If you are comparing a salary offer in Sydney, the NSW average is a useful benchmark, but consider that living costs in Sydney are among the highest in Australia.
Place a salary on the line to see how your pay compares to the national average, state averages, and medians.
State-by-State Full-Time Averages
The on-site notes provide the following state full-time averages (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026):
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
- Western Australia: $115,825
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- South Australia: $102,450
- Tasmania: $96,008
States and territories has more detail on how each region compares.
Men's and Women's Averages
The ABS also publishes separate averages by gender. For full-time adult ordinary-time employees:
- Men: $113,412 per year
- Women: $100,594 per year
The gender pay gap is about 11.3% on this measure. Sydney's workforce may reflect a similar gap, but no city-level data is available.
Minimum Wage and Awards in Sydney
The national minimum wage applies in Sydney. From 1 July 2026, Fair Work set it at $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums increased by 4.75% at the same time. Many Sydney workers are covered by awards or enterprise agreements that pay above the minimum. The minimum wage is well below the average and median salaries.
Tax on a Sydney Salary
For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are:
- Nil up to $18,200
- 15% from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% above $190,000
Plus a 2% Medicare levy (with reductions for low incomes). On the NSW average of $109,658, the tax would be roughly $26,000–$27,000 plus Medicare, depending on deductions. The national average of $108,352 falls in the same bracket.
Using the Average Salary in Sydney for Your Job Search
If you are negotiating a salary in Sydney, the NSW average gives a starting point. But remember that averages can be skewed by a small number of very high incomes. The median full-time salary of $90,532 may be more representative of a typical full-time worker. For part-time or casual roles, the all-employees median of $74,100 is relevant.
Job medians and Industry medians can help you compare pay for specific roles or sectors.
How the Figures Are Set
The national average is based on the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, which samples employers. It is published twice a year (May and November). Medians come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, released annually. The minimum wage is set by Fair Work after annual review. How the figures are set explains the methodology.
Summary
While there is no official average salary in Sydney, the New South Wales full-time average of $109,658 is the best available benchmark. It sits above the national average of $108,352. For a more typical salary, look at the full-time median of $90,532 or the all-employees median of $74,100. The minimum wage is $52,255 per year. Use these figures to understand where your pay stands.
About this site has more information on how we present salary data.