Marketing Manager Salary vs the National Full-Time Average
If you're wondering where a marketing manager salary sits against the Australian full-time average, the short answer is that it is typically well above it. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish a separate figure for marketing managers, but we can use the average for all managers as a reliable proxy. According to the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for May 2025, the average weekly total cash earnings for all managers is $2,800.90. That works out to about $145,647 a year, which is significantly higher than the national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 (about $108,352 a year) from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026.
The National Full-Time Average
The ABS publishes the Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) survey twice a year, for May and November. The May 2026 release shows that full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings (seasonally adjusted) are $2,083.70. This is the figure used as the line on this site. For a 38-hour week, that equates to roughly $54.83 per hour. The full-time median is lower, at about $90,532 a year, while the all-employees median is about $74,100 a year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).
Where Marketing Managers Fit
Marketing managers are classified under the Managers occupation group in the ABS classification system. The average weekly total cash earnings for all managers is $2,800.90, which is about 34% above the national full-time average. This suggests that marketing managers, as a subset of managers, are likely to earn well above the average full-time worker. However, it is important to note that this figure is an average across all managers, including those in very high-paying industries like mining and finance. Individual marketing manager salaries can vary widely depending on industry, experience, location, and company size.
State-by-State Comparisons
The national full-time average varies by state and territory. The on-site figures from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 show:
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
Marketing managers in the ACT and Western Australia may see higher pay due to the concentration of government and resources sectors, respectively. You can explore more state-level data on our States and territories page.
How Pay Is Set for Marketing Managers
Marketing managers are typically not covered by modern awards or the national minimum wage. Their pay is usually set by individual arrangement or enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database does include some classifications for marketing roles under various awards, but these are generally for lower-level positions. For managerial roles, the method of setting pay is most commonly individual arrangement (38.5% of all employees, according to the ABS). This means salaries are negotiated directly between the employer and employee, often based on market rates and performance.
Tax Considerations
For the 2026–27 income year, the resident tax rates are:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000
- 30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000
- 37% on income between $135,001 and $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
Plus a 2% Medicare levy (subject to reductions for low-income earners). A marketing manager earning around $145,647 would fall into the 37% marginal tax bracket, meaning a significant portion of their income goes to tax. You can use our Place a salary on the line tool to see your take-home pay after tax and how it compares to the national average.
Gender Pay Gap
The ABS data shows a persistent gender pay gap. For full-time adults, the average weekly ordinary time earnings for men is $2,399.30 (public sector) and $2,139.50 (private sector), while for women it is $2,154.00 (public) and $1,840.80 (private). The overall full-time average for men is about $113,412 a year, and for women about $100,594. This gap is likely reflected in marketing manager roles as well, though the ABS does not break down manager earnings by sex in the occupation table.
Using the Site's Tools
To see exactly where a marketing manager salary sits relative to the national full-time average, you can enter your salary into our Place a salary on the line tool. It will show you the weekly and hourly equivalent (based on a 38-hour week) and the distance from the average. You can also explore Job medians for other occupations or Industry medians to see how different sectors compare.
Conclusion
While the ABS does not publish a specific salary for marketing managers, the average for all managers provides a strong indication that marketing managers earn well above the national full-time average. The figure of $2,800.90 per week (about $145,647 a year) is a useful benchmark, but actual salaries can vary. For the most accurate comparison, use the tools on this site with your own salary figure.