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Mechanical engineer salary in Australia: How state and award rates affect pay

The ABS does not publish a specific salary for mechanical engineers. The closest available figure is the average for all Professionals, which was $2,049.60 per week in May 2025, about $106,579 per year – slightly below the national full-time average of $108,352.

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

Mechanical engineer salary in Australia

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the line on the site. The ABS does not publish a specific salary for mechanical engineers. The closest available figure is the average for all Professionals, which was $2,049.60 per week in May 2025 (ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, about $106,579 per year). That is slightly below the national average.

But actual pay can vary by state. For example, a mechanical engineer in Western Australia (full-time average $115,825) or the ACT ($119,090) is above the national line. In Tasmania ($96,008) it is below. The median for all full-time employees is $1,887 per week ($98,124 per year), so many mechanical engineers are above that.

How awards and agreements

Many mechanical engineers are covered by the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award or similar. The Fair Work Modern Awards Pay Database contains minimum rates, but we don't have the specific classification. Many are above award.

State variation

State full-time averages from ABS: 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; ACT $119,090. A mechanical engineer in WA or ACT likely earns more than the national average, while in Tasmania less.

How the figures are set

The national average is from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, which measures earnings at a point in time. It can be affected by changes in composition of the labour force. The medians are from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey. The minimum wage is set by Fair Work from 1 July 2026.

Place a salary on the line States and territories Job medians How the figures are set

Summary

The mechanical engineer salary is not published separately. The closest available figure is the average for all Professionals, which was $2,049.60 per week in May 2025, about $106,579 per year – slightly below the national full-time average of $108,352.

Questions

What is the average salary for a mechanical engineer in Australia?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a separate figure for mechanical engineers. The broad occupational group 'Professionals' (which includes mechanical engineers) had average weekly total cash earnings of $2,049.60 in May 2025, according to the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey. That works out to about $106,579 per year. However, this average includes part-time workers, so full-time mechanical engineers likely earn more. For a more precise figure, you would need to consult industry surveys or specific enterprise agreements.

How does a mechanical engineer's 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 average for all Professionals ($2,049.60) is about 1.6% below that. However, many mechanical engineers in high-paying states like Western Australia (full-time average $115,825) or in certain industries may exceed the national average. The median for all full-time employees is $1,887 per week ($98,124 per year), so many mechanical engineers are above that.

What factors affect a mechanical engineer's pay?

State location, industry sector, and method of setting pay (award, collective agreement, or individual arrangement) all affect pay. For example, a mechanical engineer in the Australian Capital Territory (full-time average $119,090) or Western Australia ($115,825) tends to earn more than the national average. Those covered by enterprise agreements often earn more than award minimums. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, but most mechanical engineers are above that.

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