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Estimator Salary: How It Compares to the Australian Full-Time Average

The median weekly earnings for construction estimators are not explicitly stated in the available data, but the national full-time average is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year).

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

Estimator Salary and the National Full-Time Average

If you are an estimator or considering the profession, you probably want to know how your pay compares to the typical Australian full-time worker. The most authoritative benchmark is the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, which puts full-time adult ordinary time earnings at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52 weeks). This is the figure this site uses as the national line.

National Benchmarks

Before looking at estimator-specific data, it helps to understand the broader pay landscape:

  • Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings: $2,083.70 ($108,352/year) – ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026.
  • Full-time adult median weekly earnings: about $1,741 ($90,532/year) – ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, August 2025.
  • All employees median weekly earnings: $1,436 ($74,672/year) – same source.
  • National minimum wage (from 1 July 2026): $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week – Fair Work.

These figures give context. The full-time average is higher than the median, meaning higher earners pull the average up. Estimator pay could sit anywhere on this spectrum.

Estimator-Specific Data

The most relevant occupation-specific data for estimators comes from Jobs and Skills Australia, which profiles Construction Estimators (ANZSCO 312114). Their profile cites the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025 (customised report) for median weekly earnings of full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Unfortunately, the exact median figure is not displayed in the available search results. However, the source is reliable and can be accessed for a precise number.

What we do know from the profile:

  • 87% of construction estimators work full-time.
  • Average full-time hours per week: 42 hours (slightly above the standard 38-hour week used on this site).

Because the median is not published in the snippet, we cannot give a definitive dollar figure here. If you need a precise number, the best approach is to consult the Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile or request a custom ABS report.

State and Territory Comparisons

Estimator salaries can vary significantly by location. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, provides full-time adult ordinary time earnings by state and territory. These are averages across all occupations, but they indicate where pay tends to be higher or lower:

  • New South Wales: $2,108.80/week ($109,658/year)
  • Victoria: $2,041.10/week ($106,137/year)
  • Queensland: $2,039.70/week ($106,064/year)
  • South Australia: $1,970.20/week ($102,450/year)
  • Western Australia: $2,227.40/week ($115,825/year)
  • Tasmania: $1,846.30/week ($96,008/year)
  • Northern Territory: $1,984.10/week ($103,173/year)
  • Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20/week ($119,090/year)

If you work as an estimator in Western Australia or the ACT, you are likely in a higher-paying market. In Tasmania or South Australia, pay may be closer to the national median. Use our States and territories page to see how your location compares.

Factors Influencing Estimator Pay

Beyond location, several factors affect what an estimator earns:

  • Industry: Construction estimators are the most common, but estimators also work in manufacturing, engineering, mining, and consulting. Mining and resources often pay a premium.
  • Experience and seniority: Junior estimators may start near the all-employees median, while senior estimators or those with specialised skills (e.g., cost planning, quantity surveying) can exceed the full-time average.
  • Award coverage: Some estimators are covered by awards or enterprise agreements. The Fair Work Commission’s 4.75% increase to award minimums from 1 July 2026 may have lifted base rates.
  • Qualifications: A degree in quantity surveying, engineering, or construction management can boost earning potential.

How to Use This Information

To see where your own estimator salary sits against the national line, you can Place a salary on the line using our tool. Enter your yearly pre-tax income, and we will show you the weekly and hourly equivalents (based on a 38-hour week) and the distance from the full-time average.

Remember that the national average is just one reference point. Your pay may be above or below depending on your role, industry, and location. For a more detailed comparison, explore Job medians or Industry medians on this site.

Summary

While the exact median salary for estimators is not published in the available data, the national full-time average of $108,352 provides a solid benchmark. Estimators in high-paying states or industries may earn well above this, while those in lower-cost regions or entry-level roles may sit closer to the all-employees median of $74,672. For the most accurate occupation-specific figure, refer to the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey via Jobs and Skills Australia.

For more on how the figures are set, see How the figures are set.

Questions

What is the average salary for an estimator in Australia?

The ABS does not publish a specific average salary for estimators. The most relevant data comes from Jobs and Skills Australia, which reports median weekly earnings for construction estimators (ANZSCO 312114) using the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. However, the exact median figure is not provided in the available search results. For comparison, the national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 ($108,352 per year), and the all-employees median weekly earnings are $1,436 ($74,672 per year).

How does estimator pay compare to the national average?

Without a precise estimator figure, we can only compare broadly. The national full-time average of $108,352 is a benchmark. If estimator pay is similar to the median for all full-time employees ($90,532 per year), it would be below the average. However, estimator roles often require specialised skills, which may push pay above the median. The best source for occupation-specific data is the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, customised reports, or Jobs and Skills Australia profiles.

What factors affect estimator salaries?

Estimator salaries vary by industry (construction, manufacturing, engineering), experience, qualifications, and location. State full-time averages range from $96,008 in Tasmania to $119,090 in the ACT. Senior estimators or those in high-demand sectors like mining may earn well above the national average. Award coverage and enterprise agreements also play a role. For the most current data, refer to the ABS and Fair Work.

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