Where the civil engineering salary sits against the national full-time average
If you work in civil engineering in Australia, you are likely earning above the national full-time average. The most recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the average weekly ordinary time earnings for full-time adults (seasonally adjusted) was $2,083.70 in May 2026. That works out to about $108,352 per year. That is the line that this site uses as its benchmark.
The median weekly earnings for civil engineering professionals, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, was $2,217 per week. That figure is for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. It is about $133 per week above the national full-time average. That is a solidly above average.
How the figures are collected
The ABS publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year, for May and November. The May 2026 release is the most current. The median figures come from the Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which is published less frequently. The most recent median for all employees was $1,436 per week, and for full-time employees it was about $1,740 per week (roughly $90,532 per year). The civil engineering median of $2,217 is well above both.
State and territory differences
Full-time average earnings vary across Australia. The highest is in the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090 per year, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. New South Wales is about $109,658, Victoria $106,137, Queensland $106,064, South Australia $102,450, Northern Territory $103,173, and Tasmania $96,008. Civil engineering salaries are likely to be higher in states with large infrastructure projects or mining activity, but the ABS does not publish occupation-specific state figures.
Minimum wage and awards
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date. Civil engineering professionals are typically covered by individual arrangements or enterprise agreements, so their pay is usually well above the award rate. The median of $2,217 per week is more than double the minimum wage.
Tax on a civil engineering salary
For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200, 15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000, 30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000, 37% on income between $135,001 and $190,000, and 45% on income above $190,000. The Medicare levy of 2% applies before any reductions. A civil engineer earning the median of $2,217 per week (about $115,284 per year) would fall into the 30% tax bracket plus Medicare levy, resulting in an effective tax rate around 24%.
How to use this site
Place a salary on the line to see how your pay compares to the national full-time average. You can also explore states and territories to see regional differences, or check job medians for other occupations. For industry comparisons, see industry medians. More detail on how the figures are set is available on the data page.
Summary
Civil engineering is a well-paid profession in Australia. The median weekly earnings of $2,217 are above the national full-time average of $2,083.70. That places it in the top half of occupations. If you are a civil engineer, you are likely earning more than the typical full-time worker. Use the tools on this site to see exactly where your salary sits on the line.