Civil Engineer Salary Australia: Why State and Awards Can Move Pay Off the National Line
If you're a civil engineer in Australia, your salary is likely to sit above the national full-time average—but exactly where depends on where you work and what agreement covers you. The national full-time average ordinary-time earnings stood at $2,083.70 a week ($108,352 a year) in May 2026, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings release. For civil engineering professionals, the median full-time weekly earnings are $2,217 (about $115,284 a year), based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, as reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. That's about $6,900 above the national line.
But the national average is just that—an average across all full-time adults in all industries and states. Your actual pay as a civil engineer can be pulled higher or lower by two main forces: the state or territory you work in, and the award or enterprise agreement that governs your employment.
State Variations
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings data for May 2026 shows clear differences between states. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest full-time average at $119,090 a year, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. Tasmania is lowest at $96,008. Civil engineers are concentrated in states with large infrastructure projects—Western Australia's mining and resources sector, for example, often drives up demand and pay. In contrast, a civil engineer in Tasmania might earn closer to that state's lower average, though still potentially above it if working on major projects.
The on-site States and territories page lets you compare full-time averages across all states and territories. For a civil engineer, moving from Tasmania to Western Australia could mean a pay difference of nearly $20,000 a year, even before accounting for individual experience and role.
Awards and Enterprise Agreements
Many civil engineers are covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020, which sets minimum salaries for classifications like Engineer-in-Training, Professional Engineer, and Senior Professional Engineer. However, these award rates are often below market rates. Enterprise agreements negotiated by unions or employer groups can set higher minimums, and individual contracts may go higher still.
The national minimum wage rose to $26.44 an hour from 1 July 2026, a 4.75% increase, but this only directly affects the lowest-paid workers. For professional engineers, the relevant minimums are in the award. For example, a Level 1 Professional Engineer under the award might have a minimum salary around $70,000–$80,000, but actual market rates for a graduate civil engineer are often $70,000–$85,000, and experienced engineers can earn $120,000–$150,000 or more.
The ABS data shows that public sector full-time average ordinary-time earnings are $2,263.10 a week ($117,681 a year), higher than the private sector average of $2,034.10 ($105,773). Many civil engineers work in government infrastructure departments or agencies, which may offer higher base salaries and better conditions.
How the National Line Is Set
The national full-time average of $108,352 is calculated by the ABS from its Average Weekly Earnings survey, which measures the level of earnings across all industries and sectors. It's not a median—it's an average, so it can be pulled up by very high earners. The median full-time earnings for all occupations is lower, at about $90,532 a year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). Civil engineers, with a median of $115,284, sit well above that all-occupations median.
The Place a salary on the line tool lets you compare any salary against the national full-time average. For a civil engineer earning $115,000, you'd be about $6,648 above the line. For one earning $130,000, you'd be $21,648 above.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
Understanding your gross salary is only half the picture. For 2026–27, the 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, and 45% above that. Plus a 2% Medicare levy (reductions may apply). A civil engineer earning $115,000 would pay about $24,467 in tax plus $2,300 Medicare levy, leaving a take-home of about $88,233. That's roughly $1,696 a week.
Conclusion
A civil engineer's salary in Australia is typically above the national full-time average, but the exact figure depends on state, sector, and agreement. Use the States and territories page to see how your location compares, and the Place a salary on the line tool to see where your pay sits against the national benchmark.