Where the Median Salary Sits Against the National Average
When you place a salary on the line, the tool compares your yearly pay before tax to the national full-time average. But many readers also ask about the median salary in Australia — the middle point that splits the workforce into two equal halves. Understanding the median gives you a clearer picture of what a typical worker earns, especially when the average is pulled higher by a small number of very high incomes.
According to the ABS Employee Earnings report for August 2025, the full-time median salary in Australia is about $90,532 per year. That is roughly $1,741 a week on a 38-hour week. The all-employees median — which includes part-time and casual workers — is about $74,100 per year, or about $1,425 a week. By contrast, the national full-time average (from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026) is about $108,352 per year, or $2,083.70 a week. The gap between the median and the average is about $17,820, which shows how much high earners lift the mean.
What Would Move Your Pay Above or Below the Median?
Several factors determine whether your salary sits above or below the median. The most important are your industry, occupation, location, and gender.
Industry and Occupation
Workers in industries such as mining, financial and insurance services, and professional, scientific and technical services tend to earn well above the full-time median. For example, the ABS reports that full-time average earnings in mining are among the highest in the country. On the other hand, industries like retail trade, accommodation and food services, and arts and recreation services often pay below the median. You can explore industry medians and job medians on this site to see how specific fields compare.
Location
Where you live makes a big difference. State full-time averages (from the same ABS AWE report) range from about $96,008 in Tasmania to about $119,090 in the Australian Capital Territory. Western Australia ($115,825) and New South Wales ($109,658) also sit above the national average, while South Australia ($102,450) and Queensland ($106,064) are closer to it. The states and territories page shows how each region compares to the national line.
Gender
The ABS data also shows a persistent gap between men's and women's full-time average earnings. Men's full-time ordinary-time average is about $113,412, while women's is about $100,594 — a difference of about $12,818. This gap means women are more likely to earn below the median than men, although the median itself does not break down by gender in the published ABS Employee Earnings report.
The Minimum Wage and Award Rates
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, or about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week. That is well below the median. However, most employees are covered by awards or enterprise agreements that set higher minimums. Fair Work increased award minimums by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, which may lift some workers closer to the median but still leaves many below it.
How the Median and Average Are Calculated
The ABS publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year, for May and November. The May 2026 figure is the basis for the national line on this site. The median comes from a separate survey — the Employee Earnings and Hours survey, most recently for August 2025. The median is not updated as frequently as the average, so it may lag behind current conditions. For more detail on how these figures are set, see How the figures are set.
Using the Median to Gauge Your Position
If your full-time salary is above $90,532, you earn more than half of all full-time workers. If it is below, you earn less than half. But remember that the median is a snapshot, not a target. Your personal circumstances — including your skills, experience, and the demand for your role — matter more than a single number. The Guides section offers practical advice on negotiating pay and understanding your market value.
The Bottom Line
The median salary in Australia gives you a realistic benchmark for what a typical full-time worker earns. It is lower than the average because high incomes pull the average up. By comparing your pay to both the median and the average, you can see where you stand in the broader workforce. Use the Place a salary on the line tool to see how your pay compares to the national full-time average, and check the state and industry pages for more context.