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Builder salary: How it compares to the Australian full-time average

The median weekly earnings for builder's labourers are not published by the ABS, but the construction industry full-time average weekly ordinary time earnings were $1,985.30 in May 2026, below the national full-time average of $2,083.70.

This sits $30,352 under the Australian full-time average, about 28.0% below the line. The closest full-time state average is Tasmania. It is off the left edge of the ruler. This close-up only covers full-time state averages.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$1,500 a week · $39.47 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $62,520 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Builder salary and the national full-time average

When asking about a 'builder salary', it helps to be specific. The term 'builder' can refer to a builder's labourer, a carpenter, a construction manager, or a licensed builder running their own business. Each role has different pay. This page focuses on the most commonly searched occupation: builder's labourers, and uses the construction industry average as a broader reference point.

The national full-time average

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year. For May 2026, the national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings was $2,083.70. Multiplied by 52 weeks, that is about $108,352 a year before tax. This is the benchmark used on this site to compare any salary.

For context, the all-employees median weekly earnings (including part-time) was $1,436 in August 2025, according to the ABS. The full-time median was about $1,741 per week, or roughly $90,532 a year. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week ($52,255 a year).

Where does the construction industry sit?

The ABS provides industry-level averages. For the construction industry, full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings in May 2026 were $1,985.30 per week. That is about $103,236 a year – below the national full-time average by roughly 4.7%. Within construction, men earned $1,994.20 per week and women $1,932.20.

This industry average is a useful guide for builder salaries, but it includes all roles from labourers to project managers. The actual pay for a builder's labourer may differ.

Builder's labourers: what the data says

Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) publishes occupation profiles. For builder's labourers (ANZSCO 821111), the median weekly earnings are listed as N/A – not available. The ABS does not publish a reliable median for this 6-digit occupation due to sample size or statistical reliability. The JSA profile notes that the data comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, but for many occupations at this level, figures are suppressed.

What we do know: builder's labourers are mostly full-time (73% work full-time), with an average full-time week of 44 hours. The median age is 34, and only 4% of workers are female. The occupation employs about 42,300 people.

Without a published median, the best available benchmark is the construction industry average or the national full-time average. Most builder's labourers are likely paid under an award – the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 – which sets minimum rates. From 1 July 2026, award minimums rose by 4.75%. A labourer under that award would earn at least the national minimum wage, but often more with allowances.

State and territory comparisons

Builder salaries also vary by location. The ABS publishes state full-time averages. Here are the annualised figures (weekly × 52):

  • New South Wales: $2,108.80 per week ($109,658 a year)
  • Victoria: $2,041.10 ($106,137)
  • Queensland: $2,039.70 ($106,064)
  • South Australia: $1,970.20 ($102,450)
  • Western Australia: $2,227.40 ($115,825)
  • Tasmania: $1,846.30 ($96,008)
  • Northern Territory: $1,984.10 ($103,173)
  • Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20 ($119,090)

A builder's labourer in Western Australia or the ACT is likely to earn more than one in Tasmania or South Australia, reflecting broader market conditions.

How tax affects take-home pay

For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy adds 2% (with possible reductions for low-income earners). A builder earning the construction industry average of $103,236 would fall in the 30% bracket plus Medicare, meaning a marginal rate of 32% on most of their income.

What this means for your salary check

If you are a builder or considering the trade, you can place your salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average. You can also explore state and territory averages or industry medians for more context. For a deeper look at how the figures are set, see How the figures are set.

The bottom line

A precise 'builder salary' figure is not publicly available from the ABS or JSA for builder's labourers. The closest reliable benchmark is the construction industry full-time average of $1,985.30 per week, which is below the national full-time average of $2,083.70. Individual pay depends on the specific role, location, experience, and whether the worker is covered by an award or enterprise agreement. Use the tools on this site to compare your own situation.

Questions

What is the average salary for a builder in Australia?

There is no single published figure for 'builder' because the role covers many occupations. For builder's labourers (ANZSCO 821111), the ABS does not publish median weekly earnings due to data limitations. However, the construction industry as a whole had a full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $1,985.30 in May 2026, according to the ABS. That works out to about $103,236 a year before tax. This is below the national full-time average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 a year).

How does a builder's pay compare to the national full-time average?

Using the construction industry average as a proxy, builder-related roles typically earn less than the national full-time average. The national full-time average weekly ordinary time earnings was $2,083.70 in May 2026, while the construction industry average was $1,985.30. That is a gap of about $98.40 per week, or roughly $5,117 a year. Individual builder salaries can vary widely depending on experience, location, and whether the worker is an employee or subcontractor.

What factors affect a builder's salary in Australia?

Key factors include the specific occupation (e.g., builder's labourer, carpenter, construction manager), years of experience, location, and whether the worker is covered by an award or enterprise agreement. State averages also matter: for example, the full-time average in Western Australia is $2,227.40 per week, while in Tasmania it is $1,846.30. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, but most builders earn above that. The ABS notes that individual arrangement is the most common method of setting pay (38.5% of employees), followed by collective agreement (34.6%).

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