What is the average salary in Melbourne?

The ABS does not publish a separate average salary for Melbourne, but the Victorian full-time average is about $106,137 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). As the state capital, Melbourne's typical full-time pay is likely very close to this figure.

How does Melbourne's average compare to the national average?

Victoria's full-time average of $106,137 is about $2,215 below the national full-time average of $108,352. This means typical full-time workers in Melbourne earn slightly less than the national line, though the gap is small.

What factors can move a Melbourne salary above or below the average?

Industry and occupation are the biggest drivers. Professional services, finance, and technology tend to pay above the Victorian average, while retail, hospitality, and healthcare support often pay below. Experience, employer size, and enterprise agreements also play a role. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, about $52,255 a year on 38 hours, which is well below the average.

Average salary Melbourne: How it compares to the national full-time average

Average salary Melbourne: Where does it sit?

If you are looking at the average salary in Melbourne, the most reliable public figure is the Victorian full-time adult ordinary-time average published by the ABS. For May 2026, that average is about $106,137 a year. Melbourne is the state capital and the largest labour market in Victoria, so this figure is the best proxy for the city itself.

The national line

This site uses the national full-time average from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026: $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year when multiplied by 52 weeks. That is the line you can place a salary on the line to see how it compares. Victoria's average sits about $2,215 below that line. That means a typical full-time worker in Melbourne earns about 2% less than the national benchmark.

Victoria's average

Victoria's full-time average of $106,137 is the middle of the pack among states and territories. It is higher than South Australia ($102,450), Tasmania ($96,008), and the Northern Territory ($103,173), but lower than New South Wales ($109,658), Queensland ($106,064 is very close), Western Australia ($115,825), and the Australian Capital Territory ($119,090). The difference between Melbourne and Sydney is about $3,500 a year.

What moves pay above the average

Several factors can push a Melbourne salary above the Victorian average:

Industry: Workers in professional, scientific, and technical services; financial and insurance services; and information media and telecommunications often earn above the average. Mining, while smaller in Victoria than in WA, also pays well above. For industry-specific medians, see the industry medians page.
Occupation: Managers, professionals (especially in law, medicine, engineering, and IT), and skilled trades in high demand can command salaries above $106,137. The job medians page shows typical pay for hundreds of roles.
Employer size: Large firms and multinationals based in Melbourne's CBD tend to pay more than small businesses. Enterprise agreements and individual contracts often lift pay above award rates.
Experience and qualifications: Senior roles with 10+ years of experience or postgraduate qualifications regularly exceed the average.

What moves pay below the average

Many workers in Melbourne earn less than the Victorian average:

Industry: Retail trade, accommodation and food services, and arts and recreation services typically pay below the average. These sectors rely heavily on award minimums and part-time work.
Occupation: Sales workers, hospitality staff, labourers, and clerical roles often fall below $106,137. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, about $52,255 a year on 38 hours, which is roughly half the Victorian average.
Part-time and casual work: The average salary figure is for full-time adult ordinary-time workers. Part-time and casual employees earn less on an annualised basis, though casual loading (usually 25%) can lift hourly rates.
Award reliance: Many workers in Melbourne are covered by modern awards, which set minimum pay rates below the average. The Fair Work Commission's 4.75% increase from 1 July 2026 applies to award minimums, but these still sit well below the full-time average.

Medians and minimums

It is important to distinguish between averages, medians, and the minimum wage. The full-time median salary in Australia is about $90,532 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025), which is lower than the average because high earners pull the average up. The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100. So while the average salary in Melbourne is around $106,137, the typical full-time worker earns closer to $90,000, and the typical worker of any type earns about $74,000.

Men's full-time average nationally is about $113,412; women's is about $100,594. Victoria's gender pay gap is similar to the national pattern.

How to use this site

You can place a salary on the line to see how your own pay compares to the national full-time average of $108,352. The tool also shows the weekly and hourly equivalent on a 38-hour week, and the distance from the line. For state-by-state comparisons, visit the states and territories page. For more detail on how the figures are set, see how the figures are set.

Remember that the ABS Average Weekly Earnings is published twice a year, for May and November. The figures here are from May 2026. Medians are from August 2025 and are updated less frequently. The minimum wage is set by Fair Work and applies from 1 July each year.

If you are negotiating a salary in Melbourne, knowing where the average sits gives you a benchmark. Pay above $106,137 is above the Victorian average; pay below that is below. But context matters: industry, occupation, and experience all shift the relevant comparison. Use the medians and averages together to get a fuller picture.