Understanding the national full-time average
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings stand at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. This is the line that this site uses to compare your salary. It is an average, meaning it is pulled up by high earners. The full-time median—the middle point—is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work). Award minimums rose by 4.75% in the same review.
What moves pay above or below the average
Several factors can push your salary above or below the national full-time average. Knowing these helps you understand where you stand and what to aim for when you negotiate.
Industry and occupation
Industries vary widely. The ABS data shows that managers earn a median of $69.20 per hour, professionals $64.50, while sales assistants and other lower-paid roles sit well below the average. Health Care and Social Assistance is the largest employing industry, but its average is not the highest. Mining, information media, and financial services typically pay above the national average. If you work in a high-paying industry, your salary may already be above the line; if you are in retail or hospitality, it may be below.
Location
State and territory averages differ significantly. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest full-time average at about $119,090, followed by Western Australia at about $115,825. New South Wales is about $109,658, Victoria about $106,137, Queensland about $106,064, South Australia about $102,450, the Northern Territory about $103,173, and Tasmania the lowest at about $96,008. If you live in a high-cost city like Sydney or Canberra, employers often adjust pay upward. In regional areas, pay may be lower. Use the States and territories page to see the average for your location.
Gender
There remains a gender pay gap. Men's full-time average ordinary time earnings are about $113,412 per year; women's are about $100,594. This gap persists across most industries and occupations. When negotiating, be aware of this disparity and use data to advocate for equal pay for equal work.
Public vs private sector
The public sector pays higher average weekly earnings ($2,263.10 per week) than the private sector ($2,034.10 per week) according to the ABS. Public sector jobs often have set pay scales, but there may still be room to negotiate at entry or through promotions. In the private sector, individual arrangement is the most common method of setting pay (38.5% of employees), which means negotiation is more common.
Experience and qualifications
Your level of experience and education directly affects your market value. The ABS does not publish precise figures by experience, but it is well known that senior roles and those requiring tertiary qualifications pay more. When negotiating, highlight your specific skills and achievements.
How to negotiate salary using this data
Knowing the averages and medians gives you a powerful tool. Before you enter a negotiation, research the typical pay for your role using the Job medians and Industry medians pages on this site. Compare your current salary to the national full-time average and to the median for your occupation. If you are below the median, you have a strong case for a raise. If you are above, you may still have room if your performance justifies it.
Start by placing your current salary on the line using Place a salary on the line. This shows you exactly how far above or below the national average you are. Then, look at the state average for where you work. If you are in a high-paying state like the ACT or WA, the local average may be higher than the national figure, so adjust your expectations accordingly.
When you negotiate, frame your request around market data. For example: "According to the ABS, the average for my role in this industry is X, and I am currently Y% below that. Given my experience and recent achievements, I believe a salary of Z is fair." Avoid anchoring on the minimum wage unless you are in a low-paid award job; the minimum is a floor, not a target.
Also consider total compensation: superannuation, bonuses, and other benefits. The ABS figures are before tax and do not include super. The ATO tax rates for 2026–27 are: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that, plus the 2% Medicare levy. A higher gross salary means more tax, but also more take-home pay.
For more detailed guidance, see the Guides section, which covers negotiation strategies, understanding your award, and using data effectively.
Putting it all together
Your salary relative to the national average depends on many factors. The key is to use reliable data—ABS, Fair Work, and the ATO—to inform your negotiation. Do not rely on anecdotal figures. The national full-time average is a useful benchmark, but your industry, location, and role matter more. Use the tools on this site to see where you stand and to plan your next move.