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Land Surveyor Salary in Australia: How It Compares to the National Average

The median full-time land surveyor salary of $2,300 per week sits above the national full-time average of $2,083.70.

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

Land Surveyor Salary in Australia: How It Compares to the National Average

If you are researching a land surveyor salary in Australia, the most reliable figure comes from Jobs and Skills Australia, which reports a median full-time weekly earnings of $2,300 for surveyors and spatial scientists. That is about $119,600 a year before tax, assuming 52 weeks. This places the typical land surveyor comfortably above the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 per week (about $108,352 a year) published by the ABS in its Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026.

The National Average as a Benchmark

The ABS Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) is the most widely used measure of typical pay in Australia. For May 2026, the seasonally adjusted full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week. This figure is the reference line on this site – the point against which all salaries are measured. The land surveyor median is 10.4% higher than that line.

It is important to distinguish between averages and medians. The AWE is an average, which can be pulled up by very high earners. The median – the middle point where half earn more and half earn less – is often lower. For all full-time workers, the median is about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The land surveyor median of $119,600 is well above that, reflecting the specialised skills and licensing required in the profession.

Where the Land Surveyor Figure Comes From

Jobs and Skills Australia compiles occupation profiles using ABS data. For surveyors and spatial scientists (ANZSCO 2322), the median full-time earnings are based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. The figure of $2,300 per week is for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. It excludes part-time workers, managers, and juniors, giving a clearer picture of typical pay for experienced surveyors.

Award Minimums for Surveyors

For land surveyors covered by the Surveying Award 2020, Fair Work sets minimum rates that apply regardless of the employer. From 1 July 2026, the award rates range from $1,004.90 per week (Level 12) to $1,865.60 per week (Level 1). The highest classification (Level 1) corresponds to a licensed or senior surveyor. The hourly rates run from $26.44 to $49.09. These are legal minimums; most surveyors earn above the award, especially in private practice or resource-rich states.

A Take-Home Pay Sketch for a Land Surveyor

To give a resident take-home sketch, we use the 2026–27 tax rates and the 2% Medicare levy. On the median land surveyor salary of $119,600:

  • Tax on first $18,200: nil
  • Tax on $18,201 to $45,000: 15% = $4,020
  • Tax on $45,001 to $135,000: 30% = $22,380 (on the portion up to $119,600: $119,600 – $45,000 = $74,600 × 30% = $22,380)
  • Total tax before Medicare: $4,020 + $22,380 = $26,400
  • Medicare levy (2% of $119,600): $2,392
  • Total tax and Medicare: $28,792
  • Take-home pay: $119,600 – $28,792 = $90,808 per year, or about $1,746 per week.

This is a rough estimate. Deductions, tax offsets, or HELP repayments could change the final amount. The national full-time average salary of $108,352 would yield a take-home of about $83,500 after similar tax treatment.

How Land Surveyor Pay Varies by State

The ABS publishes full-time average weekly earnings by state and territory. While it does not break down by occupation within each state, you can compare the general pay levels. For a land surveyor, earnings are likely to be higher in states with strong mining, construction, or infrastructure activity.

  • Western Australia has the highest state average at $2,227.40 per week ($115,825 a year), reflecting the resources sector.
  • Australian Capital Territory averages $2,290.20 per week ($119,090 a year), driven by public sector and professional services.
  • New South Wales averages $2,108.80 per week ($109,658 a year).
  • Victoria averages $2,041.10 per week ($106,137 a year).
  • Queensland averages $2,039.70 per week ($106,064 a year).
  • South Australia averages $1,970.20 per week ($102,450 a year).
  • Northern Territory averages $1,984.10 per week ($103,173 a year).
  • Tasmania averages $1,846.30 per week ($96,008 a year).

A land surveyor in WA or the ACT could expect to earn above the national median, while those in Tasmania or SA might be closer to the award minimums.

Industry Context for Surveyors

The ABS AWE also provides industry averages. Surveyors often work in professional, scientific and technical services, where the full-time average is $2,389.60 per week ($124,259 a year). Others work in construction, mining, or public administration. The industry average can be a useful guide, but the occupation-specific median is more relevant for a land surveyor.

Using This Site to Compare Your Salary

You can place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average. The site also provides job medians for hundreds of occupations, including surveyors and spatial scientists. If you are in a specific state or territory, check the states and territories page for local averages.

Key Takeaways

  • The median land surveyor salary is $2,300 per week, or about $119,600 a year.
  • That is 10.4% above the national full-time average of $2,083.70 per week.
  • Award minimums start at $1,004.90 per week and go up to $1,865.60 per week for senior surveyors.
  • After tax and Medicare, a land surveyor on the median takes home roughly $90,800 per year.
  • Pay varies by state, with WA and the ACT offering the highest averages.

For more detailed guidance on how salaries are set and what influences them, see How the figures are set and About this site.

Questions

How does the median land surveyor salary compare to the national full-time average?

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for surveyors and spatial scientists is $2,300. That is about $216 above the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 reported by the ABS in May 2026. On a yearly basis, the median land surveyor salary works out to roughly $119,600 (52 weeks), while the national full-time average is about $108,352.

What is the minimum wage for a land surveyor under the Surveying Award?

The Surveying Award 2020, as updated from 1 July 2026, sets minimum weekly rates for different classification levels. For example, a Level 1 employee (the highest classification) receives a minimum of $1,865.60 per week, or $49.09 per hour. Lower levels start at $1,004.90 per week (Level 12). These rates are minimums; actual pay is often higher, especially for experienced or licensed surveyors.

What would a land surveyor earning the median salary take home after tax?

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates and the 2% Medicare levy, a land surveyor earning the median full-time salary of $119,600 per year would pay approximately $28,467 in tax and Medicare, leaving a take-home pay of about $91,133 per year, or $1,753 per week. This is a rough estimate and does not account for deductions, offsets, or HELP repayments.

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