Average Salary Perth: A Resident's Take-Home Sketch
If you are looking for the average salary in Perth, the most reliable figure comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings survey. For May 2026, the full-time adult ordinary-time average for Western Australia is about $115,825 a year. Since Perth is the state's capital and largest city, this state average is the best proxy for the city. It sits well above the national full-time average of about $108,352 a year.
How the Average Is Measured
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey is published twice a year, for May and November. The May 2026 figure for Western Australia is $2,227.4 a week (multiplied by 52 to get the annual amount). This is the average for full-time adult employees, excluding overtime and part-time workers. It is not a median or a minimum. The national full-time median from the ABS Employee Earnings survey (August 2025) is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. These medians give a sense of what a typical worker earns, whereas the average is pulled higher by higher earners.
Take-Home Pay on the Perth Average
For a resident earning the Perth average of $115,825, the 2026–27 tax rates apply. The tax-free threshold is $18,200. Then:
- 15% on the next $26,800 (up to $45,000) = $4,020
- 30% on the next $90,000 (up to $135,000) = $27,000, but only on $70,825 of that bracket (since $115,825 minus $45,000 = $70,825) = $21,247.50 Total tax before offsets: $4,020 + $21,247.50 = $25,267.50. Plus Medicare levy of 2% on taxable income ($115,825) = $2,316.50. Total deductions: about $27,584. Take-home: about $88,241 a year, or $1,697 a week, or $44.66 an hour on a 38-hour week. (Note: this is a simplified estimate; actual tax may vary with offsets or deductions.)
Comparing to Other Benchmarks
The Perth average is about $7,473 above the national full-time average. It is also about $25,293 above the national full-time median and about $41,725 above the all-employees median. Men's full-time average nationally is about $113,412, women's about $100,594. The Perth average is above both, reflecting Western Australia's strong mining and resources sector. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.9 a week, or about $52,255 a year on 38 hours. The Perth average is more than double that.
Industry and Occupation Context
While the state average gives a broad picture, salaries in Perth vary by industry and occupation. For example, mining and construction tend to pay above the average, while retail and hospitality pay below. To see how specific jobs or industries compare, you can explore the Industry medians and Job medians pages on this site. These use ABS medians to give a more detailed view.
State Comparisons
Perth's average is among the highest in Australia. The Australian Capital Territory leads at about $119,090, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. New South Wales is about $109,658, Victoria about $106,137, Queensland about $106,064, South Australia about $102,450, Tasmania about $96,008, and the Northern Territory about $103,173. For a full breakdown, see the States and territories page.
What This Means for Residents
If you earn the Perth average, you are taking home roughly $88,000 a year after tax and Medicare. That is a comfortable income in most parts of the city, though housing costs in desirable suburbs can be high. The average is a useful benchmark for salary negotiations, budgeting, or comparing job offers. Remember that the average is not the same as the median; many workers earn less than the average. For a more personal comparison, you can Place a salary on the line to see where it sits against the national full-time average.
Summary
The average salary in Perth, based on the Western Australia state average from the ABS, is about $115,825 a year. It is higher than the national average and reflects the state's economic strengths. Use this figure as a starting point, but always consider your specific industry and role for a more accurate picture.