Electrical Engineer Salaries in Australia
Electrical engineers in Australia are well-compensated, with median full-time earnings significantly above the national average. According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the median full-time electrical engineer earns $2,553 per week. This translates to about $132,756 a year before tax, based on a 52-week year. The figure comes from a customised ABS report for Jobs and Skills Australia, covering full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate.
For context, the national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 a year, as reported in the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. The electrical engineer median sits comfortably above that line.
How Electrical Engineer Pay Compares to the National Average
The national full-time average is a benchmark published twice a year by the ABS. In May 2026, the seasonally adjusted figure for full-time adult ordinary time earnings was $2,083.70 per week. The median electrical engineer earns $2,553 per week – about 23% more. This gap reflects the specialised skills and demand for electrical engineers.
It’s important to distinguish between averages and medians. The national average is pulled up by very high earners, while the median is the middle point. For electrical engineers, the median is the best available measure of typical pay. The all-employees median (including part-time) is about $74,100 a year, but electrical engineers overwhelmingly work full-time (92% according to Jobs and Skills Australia).
Estimating Take-Home Pay for an Electrical Engineer
Using the median annual salary of $132,756, we can estimate take-home pay after tax and the Medicare levy under 2026–27 rates. The tax brackets are:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% above $190,000
For $132,756, the tax is approximately $30,347, plus the 2% Medicare levy of $2,655, for total deductions of $33,002. That leaves an estimated take-home of $99,754 per year, or about $1,918 per week. This is a rough calculation; actual tax may vary with deductions, offsets, or the Medicare levy surcharge.
By comparison, someone earning the national full-time average of $108,352 would have a take-home of about $82,400 per year, assuming similar tax treatment.
State and Territory Variations
While the national median for electrical engineers is $2,553 per week, actual pay can vary by location. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, shows full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings by state:
- New South Wales: $2,108.80 ($109,658 a year)
- Victoria: $2,041.10 ($106,137 a year)
- Queensland: $2,039.70 ($106,064 a year)
- South Australia: $1,970.20 ($102,450 a year)
- Western Australia: $2,227.40 ($115,825 a year)
- Tasmania: $1,846.30 ($96,008 a year)
- Northern Territory: $1,984.10 ($103,173 a year)
- Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20 ($119,090 a year)
Electrical engineers in states with higher overall averages, like Western Australia and the ACT, may earn above the national median. Those in Tasmania or South Australia may see lower figures, though the occupation-specific median is still likely above the state average.
Award Minimums and Career Progression
For electrical workers covered by the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award (MA000025), minimum weekly rates range from $1,046.31 for Grade 1 to $1,478.72 for Grade 10 (including allowances) as of 1 July 2026. These are legal minimums, not typical salaries. Most electrical engineers are classified above award levels and earn significantly more, as reflected in the median.
Career progression, specialisation (e.g., power systems, controls), and industry sector also influence pay. Mining, for instance, has the highest average weekly earnings of any industry at $3,224.20 per full-time adult, according to the ABS.
Where to Learn More
To see how your salary compares to the national line, Place a salary on the line. For state-by-state breakdowns, visit States and territories. The Job medians page has more occupation-specific data, and How the figures are set explains the methodology behind the averages and medians used here.