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Hotel Manager Salary in Australia: Weekly, Hourly, and Annual Pay

The minimum annual salary for managerial staff in hotels under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award is $63,617, but many hotel managers earn significantly more. The ABS does not publish a separate average for hotel managers, but for all managers the average weekly total cash earnings is $2,800.90 (about $145,647 per year).

This sits $71,952 under the Australian full-time average, about 66.4% below the line. The closest full-time state average is Tasmania. It is off the left edge of the ruler. This close-up only covers full-time state averages.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$700 a week · $18.42 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $32,942 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

Hotel Manager Salary: Understanding the Pay Structure

When researching a hotel manager salary in Australia, it helps to read the same figure as a yearly salary, a weekly amount, and an hourly rate. This makes it easier to compare against award minimums, national averages, and other occupations. The most authoritative source for a minimum figure is the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, which sets a baseline for managerial staff in hotels. For broader context, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides averages for all managers and for full-time workers across the economy.

The Award Minimum for Managerial Staff in Hotels

Under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, an employee classified as Managerial Staff (Hotels) must receive a minimum annual salary of $63,617 as of 1 July 2026 Fair Work Ombudsman. This figure is set by the Fair Work Commission and applies to employees who meet the definition in Schedule A of the award. Converted to a weekly equivalent (dividing by 52), that is $1,223.40 per week. Based on a standard 38-hour week, the hourly rate is approximately $32.19.

It is important to note that this is a minimum. Many hotel managers are employed under enterprise agreements or individual contracts that pay significantly more. The award itself allows for salary absorption if the employee is paid at least 125% of the minimum annual salary (i.e., $79,521.25), which can then cover penalty rates and other loadings.

How the Award Minimum Compares to National Benchmarks

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. The award minimum for a hotel manager ($63,617) is about 59% of that average. However, the typical hotel manager salary is often much higher. The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (May 2025) reports that the average weekly total cash earnings for all employees in the Managers occupation is $2,800.90 per week, which equates to roughly $145,647 per year. This figure includes managers across all industries, not just hotels, but it gives an indication of the earning potential for senior roles.

For a more direct comparison, the full-time median weekly earnings for all employees is $1,887 (about $98,124 per year), and the all-employees median is $1,436 per week (about $74,672 per year). A hotel manager on the award minimum would be below both medians, but experienced hotel managers in upscale properties or with significant responsibilities often earn well above the median.

Reading the Same Pay as a Year, a Week, and an Hour

To make sense of any salary, it helps to see it in all three common formats. For example:

  • Award minimum: $63,617 per year, $1,223.40 per week, $32.19 per hour (38-hour week).
  • National full-time average: $108,352 per year, $2,083.70 per week, $54.83 per hour.
  • Average for all managers: $145,647 per year, $2,800.90 per week, $73.71 per hour.

If you are a hotel manager or considering the role, Place a salary on the line to see how your pay compares to these benchmarks. You can also explore Job medians for other occupations.

State and Territory Variations

Hotel manager salaries can vary significantly by location. The on-site notes provide full-time average weekly earnings for each state and territory (based on ABS data). For example:

  • New South Wales: $109,658 per year
  • Victoria: $106,137 per year
  • Queensland: $106,064 per year
  • South Australia: $102,450 per year
  • Western Australia: $115,825 per year
  • Tasmania: $96,008 per year
  • Northern Territory: $103,173 per year
  • Australian Capital Territory: $119,090 per year

These are averages across all full-time workers, not specifically hotel managers, but they reflect the general cost of labour in each state. Hotel managers in the ACT and Western Australia may command higher salaries, while those in Tasmania may earn less.

Beyond the Award: Typical Hotel Manager Earnings

Because the ABS does not publish a separate average for hotel managers, the best available data is the award minimum and the broader manager category. However, industry sources and job advertisements suggest that a typical hotel manager in a mid-range property might earn between $70,000 and $100,000 per year, while managers of large luxury hotels can earn $120,000 to $180,000 or more. Factors such as the hotel's size, location, and the manager's experience all play a role.

For a more tailored comparison, you can use the site's tools to see how a specific salary stacks up against the national line. How the figures are set explains the methodology behind the averages and medians used on this site.

Key Takeaways

  • The minimum salary for a hotel manager under the Hospitality Industry Award is $63,617 per year.
  • Many hotel managers earn above this, with the average for all managers at $145,647 per year.
  • The national full-time average is $108,352 per year, so a typical hotel manager may be above or below that depending on the property.
  • State averages vary, with the highest in the ACT and the lowest in Tasmania.
  • Always read a salary as a year, week, and hour to get the full picture.

If you are unsure where your pay sits, Place a salary on the line to see the distance from the national full-time average.

Questions

What is the minimum salary for a hotel manager under the award?

Under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020, an employee classified as Managerial Staff (Hotels) must be paid a minimum annual salary of $63,617 as of 1 July 2026. This equates to $1,223.40 per week (based on a 38-hour week) and an hourly rate of $32.19. Many hotel managers are paid above this minimum, especially in larger hotels or those with additional responsibilities.

How does a hotel manager salary compare to the national full-time average?

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The award minimum for a hotel manager ($63,617) is well below this average. However, typical hotel manager salaries often exceed the average, particularly for experienced managers or those in upscale properties. For context, the average weekly earnings for all managers across Australia is $2,800.90 per week (ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025), which is above the national full-time average.

What factors affect a hotel manager's pay?

Several factors influence a hotel manager's salary: the size and star rating of the hotel, location (e.g., capital city vs regional), the manager's experience and qualifications, and whether the role is covered by an enterprise agreement or individual contract. Managers in larger hotels or those with multiple departments (e.g., food and beverage, front office) typically earn more. State averages also vary, with the Australian Capital Territory having the highest full-time average ($119,090) and Tasmania the lowest ($96,008).

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