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Electrician salary Australia: How it compares to the national average

The median full-time electrician earns about $2,191 a week ($113,932 a year), above the national full-time average of $2,084 ($108,352).

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 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

Electrician salary Australia: How it compares to the national average

How does an electrician pay sit against the national full-time average?

The median full-time electrician earns about $2,191 a week, from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. That is about $113,932 a year, above the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 a week ($108,352 a year). So the typical electrician is above the line. But the award minimums are lower. Under the Electrical, Electronic and Electrical and Electronic Contracting Award (MA000025, from Fair Work from 1 July 2026, an Electrical worker grade 5 with all allowances receives $1,223.11 per week ($32.19 per hour). That is above the award rate, but many earn more.

What moves electrician pay above or below the national average?

Overtime and hours

Electricians average 45 full-time hours per week, from the ABS Census 2021. That is above the all occupations average of 44 hours. Overtime at time-and-a-half or double time can push weekly pay well above the base rate. The median hourly earnings for electricians is $55, from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. That is above the national full-time average hourly equivalent of $54.83 (from the average $2,083.70 divided by 38 hours). So the median electrician is above the average.

State differences

Location matters. The national full-time average by state from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026: New South Wales $2,108.80 a week ($109,658 a year). Western Australia $2,227.40 ($115,825). Australian Capital Territory $2,290.20 ($119,090). Tasmania $1,846.30 ($96,008). Electricians in high-paying states like WA or ACT likely earn above the national average. In Tasmania, even with overtime, they may be below.

Grade and allowances

The award has grades from 1 to 10. A grade 10 worker with all allowances earns $1,478.72 per week ($38.91 per hour). That is above the national full-time average. A grade 1 worker earns $1,046.31 per week ($27.53 per hour), below the average. The median electrician likely sits around grade 5 or 6 with allowances.

Sector

The private sector full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,034.10 per week ($105,773 a year). Public sector is higher. Electricians in public sector roles (e.g., government, utilities) may earn above the national average.

How the figures are set

The national full-time average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. The median for electricians comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. Award rates are set by Fair Work and updated each July. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, $52,255 a year. Electricians are covered by the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award, which has higher minimums.

What this means for your salary

If you are an electrician earning above $2,191 a week, you are above the median and likely above the national average. If you earn at the award rate for a lower grade, you may be below the national average. Use the Place a salary on the line tool to see where your pay sits against the national full-time average. See States and territories for how your location affects the comparison.

Summary

The median electrician salary in Australia is above the national full-time average. But award minimums are below. Overtime, location, grade, and sector all move pay above or below the line. The national average is a benchmark; electricians typically sit above it.

Questions

What is the average electrician salary in Australia?

The most reliable figure is the median full-time earnings for electricians, which the ABS reports as $2,191 per week (about $113,932 a year) based on the Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. This is a median, meaning half earn more and half less. It is not the same as the average. The national full-time adult ordinary-time average from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 a year). So the typical electrician earns above that average.

How does an electrician's pay compare to the national average?

The median full-time electrician earns about $2,191 a week, which is roughly $107 more than the national full-time average of $2,083.70. However, award minimums are lower. Under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award (MA000025), an Electrical worker grade 5 (with allowances) receives $1,223.11 per week ($32.19 per hour) from 1 July 2026. Many electricians earn above the award due to overtime, allowances, and experience. The national full-time average is a benchmark; electricians typically sit above it.

What factors can increase an electrician pay above the national average?

Overtime is a major factor. Electricians average 45 full-time hours per week (ABS Census 2021), compared to 44 for all occupations. Overtime at time-and-a-half or double time can push weekly pay well above the base rate. Location matters: Western Australia's full-time average is $115,825, well above the national average. Grade and allowances also matter – a grade 10 worker with all allowances can earn $1,478.72 per week with all allowances. Experience and sector (private sector ordinary time earnings for males is $2,139.50, public $2,399.30). All these can move pay above the national average.

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