Where the National Line Sits
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, multiplied by 52). This is the line that this site uses as its benchmark. Against that line, the national full-time median is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025). The median is the middle point: half of full-time workers earn more than $90,532, half earn less. The average is pulled higher by very high earners, which is why the average exceeds the median.
Median Salary Sydney: What the Data Shows
When readers ask for the median salary in Sydney, the first thing to note is that the ABS does not publish a median figure for the city itself. The most granular median data comes from the Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which reports at the national level and sometimes for states, but not for individual cities. However, we can use the state average as a guide. New South Wales has a full-time average of about $109,658 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). That is above the national average of $108,352, suggesting that Sydney—which dominates the NSW economy—pulls the state average up. It is reasonable to infer that Sydney’s median full-time salary is above the national median of $90,532, likely somewhere in the mid-to-high $90,000s or low $100,000s, but no precise figure is published.
Why State and Award Can Move the Figure Off the Line
Salaries in Sydney can differ from the national line for two main reasons: the state’s industry mix and the award or enterprise agreements that apply. The national line is an average of all full-time adult ordinary-time earnings across Australia. That includes everyone from a retail assistant in Hobart to a mining engineer in Perth. Sydney’s economy is heavily weighted toward financial services, professional and technical services, information media, and corporate headquarters. These industries tend to pay above the national average. For example, the finance and insurance industry has a full-time average well above $120,000, while retail trade sits below $70,000. Because Sydney has a higher concentration of the former, its overall average and median are pushed up.
Award rates also play a role. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work). Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date. Many workers in Sydney are covered by awards that set minimum rates above the national minimum. For instance, the Clerks – Private Sector Award 2020 has different pay levels depending on classification, and in Sydney, the rates are the same as nationally, but the actual pay often exceeds the award due to enterprise agreements or market pressure. The combination of industry mix and award coverage means that a typical full-time worker in Sydney is likely to earn more than the national median, but still below the national average because the average is inflated by very high incomes.
Comparing State Averages
Looking at states and territories gives a clearer picture of how location affects pay. New South Wales full-time average is about $109,658, which is above the national line. Victoria is 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, and the Australian Capital Territory about $119,090. Western Australia’s high average reflects the mining industry, while the ACT’s reflects public service and defence. Sydney, as part of NSW, benefits from the state’s strong professional services sector. But even within NSW, regional areas like the Hunter or the Riverina have lower averages than Sydney. So the state average is a blend.
Medians vs Averages
It is important to keep the distinction clear. The national full-time median of $90,532 is a different measure from the average of $108,352. The median is not affected by extreme values. For Sydney, if we had a median, it would likely be higher than the national median but still below the NSW average because the average is pulled up by high earners in finance and law. The all-employees median of $74,100 includes part-time and casual workers, which is why it is lower. When you place a salary on the line, the tool compares your yearly salary to the national full-time average. If you earn $90,000 in Sydney, you are below the national average but close to the national median. If you earn $110,000, you are above the national average and likely above the Sydney median.
How the Figures Are Set
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey is published twice a year, for May and November. The May 2026 figures are the most recent. The Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which provides medians, is published less frequently; the August 2025 data is the latest. Fair Work sets the national minimum wage and award rates each financial year, with the 2026–27 increase taking effect from 1 July 2026. The tax rates for 2026–27 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; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy is 2% before any reductions. These are the official sources used on this site.
Practical Implications
If you are comparing your salary to the national line, remember that the line is an average, not a median. Being below the line does not mean you are below the typical full-time worker; it means you are below the arithmetic mean. In Sydney, where the cost of living is higher, many workers need to earn above the national average just to maintain a similar standard of living to someone in a cheaper city. But the salary comparison tool on this site only shows distance from the national average, not from a local median. For a more tailored view, you can look at job medians or industry medians to see how your occupation or industry compares nationally.
Conclusion
While the ABS does not publish a median salary for Sydney, the available data points—national median of $90,532, NSW average of $109,658, and the industry mix of Sydney—suggest that the typical full-time worker in Sydney earns more than the national median but less than the national average. Award rates and enterprise agreements can further shift individual pay. The national line remains a useful benchmark, but it is only one measure. For a fuller picture, consider the state average, the median for your occupation, and the specific award or agreement that covers your role.