Data analyst salary in Australia: How it compares to the national average
What the ABS says about data analyst pay
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish a specific salary for data analysts. However, the occupation is typically classified under the Professionals category. According to the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (May 2025), the average hourly total cash earnings for non-managerial Professionals was $64.50. For a full-time employee working 38 hours a week, that equates to about $2,451 per week, or roughly $127,452 per year. This is above the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year) from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026.
Averages can be misleading. The median weekly earnings for all full-time employees was $1,887 (about $98,124 per year) according to the same survey, while the on-site notes cite a full-time median of about $90,532 per year from the ABS Employee earnings, August 2025 release. The all-employees median is about $74,100 per year. A data analyst's pay can vary significantly based on experience, industry, and location.
Factors that push data analyst pay above or below the average
Experience and seniority
Entry-level data analysts may earn below the national full-time average. The first quartile for full-time employees was $1,424 per week ($74,048 per year). Senior data analysts or those in managerial roles can earn well above the average, potentially reaching the third quartile of $2,560 per week ($133,120 per year) or more. The Professionals category includes a wide range of roles, so a data analyst early in their career might be on a lower hourly rate than the average.
Industry
Data analysts in high-paying industries like mining, finance, or professional services may earn above the average. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings shows industry variations. For example, the mining industry has higher average earnings. Conversely, data analysts in retail or hospitality may earn less. The method of setting pay also matters: individual arrangement was the most common (38.5% of employees), followed by collective agreement (34.6%). Those on individual arrangements may have more room to negotiate above-award rates.
Location
State full-time averages vary. The highest is the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090 per year, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. Data analysts in these states may have higher pay. Tasmania has the lowest state average at $96,008. A data analyst in Tasmania might be below the national average but still above the state average. For a breakdown by location, see the states and territories page.
Full-time vs part-time
Many data analysts work full-time, but part-time roles are common. The median weekly earnings for part-time employees was $769 ($39,988 per year), which is well below the full-time average. Part-time data analysts may earn less on a weekly basis, but their hourly rate could still be competitive.
How the national minimum wage and awards apply
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Data analysts are typically covered by awards or enterprise agreements. The Professional Employees Award 2020 covers many data analysts. Award rates are higher than the minimum wage. The recent 4.75% increase to award minimums would apply to those covered by awards. Data analysts on individual arrangements or enterprise agreements may earn significantly more.
Using the salary line tool
You can place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average. The tool shows weekly and hourly equivalents based on a 38-hour week, and the distance from the average. This is useful for checking whether a data analyst salary offer is above or below the benchmark.
Conclusion
A data analyst's salary in Australia can range from below the national average for entry-level roles to well above for experienced professionals in high-paying industries. The ABS data provides benchmarks, but individual circumstances vary. The national full-time average of $108,352 per year is a useful reference point. For most data analysts, especially those with a few years of experience, pay is likely to be above this line, but it depends on the specific role and location.