Hairdresser salary and the national line
When you place a salary on the line, the national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). That is the benchmark. A hairdresser’s pay, however, typically falls far short of that figure. The median full‑time hairdresser earns $1,209 a week, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) – roughly $62,868 a year. That is about 58% of the national average. Why the gap? Award minimums, the mix of full‑time and part‑time work, and where you work all play a part.
The national average and the medians
The national full‑time average is a single number, but it hides a lot of variation. The full‑time median – the middle point for all full‑time workers – is about $90,532 a year. The all‑employees median (including part‑time and casual) is about $74,100. Hairdressers sit below even the all‑employees median. The occupation’s median hourly earnings are $32, compared with $47 for all occupations. That hourly gap compounds when you consider that hairdressers who work full‑time average 40 hours a week, slightly less than the all‑occupations average of 44 hours.
How the award sets a floor
The Hair and Beauty Industry Award (MA000005) is the legal minimum for most hairdressers. From 1 July 2026, the weekly rates are:
- Level 1: $1,056.80 ($27.81 an hour)
- Level 2: $1,081.00 ($28.45)
- Level 3: $1,119.10 ($29.45)
- Level 4: $1,139.90 ($30.00)
- Level 5: $1,174.00 ($30.89)
- Level 6: $1,215.90 ($32.00)
These are minimums, not typical earnings. But the median full‑time earnings of $1,209 a week sit just above the Level 6 rate, suggesting that many hairdressers are paid at or near the award floor. The award also includes penalty rates for weekends and public holidays, which can lift take‑home pay for those who work non‑standard hours. However, the base rates are low compared with the national average.
State differences
State full‑time averages vary widely, and a hairdresser’s pay can shift depending on location. For example:
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090 a year (highest)
- Western Australia: $115,825
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- South Australia: $102,450
- Tasmania: $96,008 (lowest)
A hairdresser in the ACT might earn more than one in Tasmania simply because the local labour market is tighter and award rates are the same nationally. But even in the ACT, the typical hairdresser’s median of $62,868 is far below the state average. The occupation itself is low‑paid relative to other jobs in the same state. For a detailed look at how each state compares, see States and territories.
Part‑time and full‑time mix
Only 51% of hairdressers work full‑time hours, compared with 69% across all occupations. Many work part‑time or casually, which pulls down the all‑employees average. The national all‑employees average weekly total earnings are $1,579.40 (about $82,129 a year), but hairdressers who work part‑time earn even less. The median hourly rate of $32 means a part‑time hairdresser working 20 hours a week earns about $640 a week, or $33,280 a year. That is well below the national minimum wage of $26.44 an hour ($52,255 a year on 38 hours), but part‑time workers often have fewer hours.
Conclusion
A hairdresser’s salary is shaped by the award, the state, and whether they work full‑time or part‑time. The national full‑time average of $108,352 is a useful benchmark, but it is not representative of this occupation. If you are a hairdresser looking to see where your pay sits, you can Place a salary on the line and compare it with the national average, medians, and award rates. For more on how the figures are set, see How the figures are set.