Understanding the Median Salary in Australia
When people ask about the "median salary," they are looking for the middle point of earnings: half of all workers earn more, and half earn less. This figure is different from the average, which can be pulled up by a small number of very high incomes. In Australia, the most reliable source for median earnings is the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Employee Earnings publication, released every two years. The latest available data is from August 2025.
Key Median Figures
For all employees (including part-time and casual workers), the median salary is about $74,100 per year before tax. For full-time employees only, the median is about $90,532 per year. These figures are based on the ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025. They are not updated quarterly; the next release will be for August 2027.
How the Median Compares to the National Full-Time Average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average, from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026), is about $108,352 per year (based on $2,083.70 per week multiplied by 52). This average is significantly higher than the full-time median of $90,532. The difference of roughly $17,820 shows that the distribution of earnings is skewed to the right: a relatively small number of high-income workers raise the average, while the median better reflects what a typical full-time worker earns.
State and Territory Averages (Not Medians)
The ABS does not publish median salaries by state in the same detail as averages. However, the state full-time averages from the same Average Weekly Earnings release give a sense of regional variation:
- New South Wales: about $109,658
- Victoria: about $106,137
- Queensland: about $106,064
- South Australia: about $102,450
- Western Australia: about $115,825
- Tasmania: about $96,008
- Northern Territory: about $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090
These averages are higher than the national median in most states, reflecting the same skew. The median in each state would be lower, but precise figures are not published.
Minimum Wage Context
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work). Award minimums rose by 4.75% at the same time. The median salary for all employees ($74,100) is well above the minimum wage, but many workers on awards or enterprise agreements earn between the minimum and the median.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are:
- Nil up to $18,200
- 15% from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% above $190,000
Plus a 2% Medicare levy (before any reductions). A full-time worker on the median of $90,532 would fall in the 30% bracket, with a marginal rate of 32% including Medicare. Their average tax rate would be lower, but take-home pay is roughly $70,000–$75,000 depending on deductions and offsets.
Why the Median Matters
The median salary is often a better benchmark for "typical" earnings than the average. If you are comparing your own salary, the median gives a clearer picture of where you sit in the overall distribution. The site Place a salary on the line lets you enter your yearly pay and see how it compares to the national full-time average and median. For more on how these figures are collected and calculated, see How the figures are set.
Limitations of the Data
The median figures from the ABS Employee Earnings are based on a survey of employers and cover all employees (including those not paid for the full reference period). They exclude self-employed people, directors, and some other groups. The average figures from Average Weekly Earnings are based on a different survey and cover full-time adult employees only. Always check which measure is being used when reading salary comparisons.
Summary
The median salary in Australia is about $74,100 for all employees and $90,532 for full-time workers. It sits well below the national full-time average of $108,352, highlighting the difference between a typical wage and the average skewed by high earners. For a personalised comparison, use the tools on this site.