Is $100,000 a good salary in Australia?
A salary of $100,000 a year is often considered a solid income in Australia, but how it stacks up depends on the benchmark you use. The national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. That means $100,000 is about $8,352 below the full‑time average. However, it sits above the full‑time median of about $90,532 and well above the all‑employees median of about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).
What the averages and medians tell us
The ABS publishes two key measures: the average (mean) and the median (midpoint). The average is pulled up by high earners, so the median often gives a better sense of what a typical worker earns. A $100,000 salary is above both medians, meaning it exceeds what half of all full‑time workers and more than half of all employees earn. But it is below the full‑time average, so many full‑time workers earn more.
Men’s full‑time ordinary‑time average is about $113,412 a year; women’s is about $100,594. So a $100,000 salary is close to the women’s average but below the men’s average. This reflects ongoing gender pay gaps and different industry concentrations.
How your location affects the picture
State full‑time averages vary significantly. For example:
- Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090
- Western Australia: about $115,825
- New South Wales: about $109,658
- Victoria: about $106,137
- Queensland: about $106,064
- South Australia: about $102,450
- Northern Territory: about $103,173
- Tasmania: about $96,008
In Tasmania, $100,000 is above the state full‑time average, while in the ACT it is below. If you live in a high‑cost city like Sydney or Melbourne, the purchasing power of $100,000 may feel lower than in a regional area.
Industry and occupation matter
Your industry can push your pay above or below the average. Mining, information media, and professional services tend to have higher average earnings, while retail, accommodation, and food services are lower. The industry medians page shows how different sectors compare. Similarly, job medians can help you see where your role sits.
The minimum wage as a floor
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 a week for a 38‑hour week – about $52,255 a year (Fair Work). Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date. A $100,000 salary is nearly double the minimum wage, placing it comfortably above the legal floor.
Tax and take‑home pay
For 2026–27, the resident tax rates are:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000 Plus a 2% Medicare levy (with possible reductions for low incomes).
On $100,000, your tax (including Medicare) would be roughly $24,967, leaving about $75,033 after tax. This is a rough estimate – the ATO provides a more precise calculator.
What would move your pay above or below the average?
Several factors can shift your earnings relative to the national average:
- Overtime and bonuses: The average weekly total earnings for full‑time adults is about $112,328 a year (including overtime), higher than ordinary‑time earnings. If you regularly work overtime or receive bonuses, your total pay could exceed the average.
- Salary sacrificing: Sacrificing part of your salary into superannuation or other benefits reduces your taxable income but also lowers your reported cash earnings. The ABS average excludes salary‑sacrificed amounts.
- Industry and occupation: As noted, some industries pay well above the average. Changing roles or sectors can move your pay significantly.
- Location: Moving to a higher‑paying state or territory, or to a regional area with lower living costs, can change how far your salary goes.
- Gender: The gender pay gap means women on average earn less than men. A $100,000 salary is above the women’s full‑time average but below the men’s.
How to see where your salary sits on the line
You can place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full‑time average, the medians, and the minimum wage. The tool shows your weekly and hourly equivalent on a 38‑hour week, plus the distance from the average. You can also explore states and territories to see how your location affects the comparison.
The bottom line
$100,000 is a good salary in Australia. It is above the typical full‑time worker’s earnings and well above the minimum wage. However, it is below the national full‑time average, so many full‑time workers earn more. Whether it feels like a good salary depends on your industry, location, and personal circumstances. The ABS updates the average twice a year (May and November), so the benchmark can shift.