Minimum wage in USA and the Australian full-time average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average in Australia is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. This is the line on Average line – the benchmark against which any salary can be placed. When readers ask about the "minimum wage in USA", they want to know how that figure sits against this Australian average.
The US minimum wage and Australian sources
The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Fair Work Ombudsman do not publish US minimum wage figures. The US federal minimum wage is set by the Fair Labor Standards Act and has been $7.25 per hour since 2009, though many US states and cities have higher minimums. For the most current US rates, consult the US Department of Labor. This site focuses on Australian earnings, so we compare the US minimum wage conceptually to the Australian line.
Where the Australian full-time average sits
The Australian full-time average of $108,352 per year is derived from the ABS survey of average weekly ordinary time earnings for full-time adults. This is distinct from the national minimum wage, which 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 Ombudsman). Award minimums rose 4.75% in the 2026 Annual Wage Review. The full-time median is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). State full-time averages vary: 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, and Australian Capital Territory $119,090.
What would move a US minimum wage earner above or below the Australian average
A US worker earning the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour for a 40-hour week earns about $15,080 per year – far below the Australian full-time average. Even at a common US state minimum of $15 per hour, annual earnings would be about $31,200, still well under the line. Only a US salary above roughly $52 per hour (about $108,000 per year) would reach the Australian average. In Australia, award coverage, penalty rates, and overtime can push pay above the line. For example, a hospitality worker under the Hospitality Industry General Award may earn weekend penalties that lift weekly earnings above the average. Conversely, a US worker in a low-wage state with no overtime would remain below.
Using the line to compare
You can place a salary on the line to see how any pay – US or Australian – compares to the national full-time average. The tool shows weekly and hourly equivalents on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the average. For more on how the figures are set, see How the figures are set. The ABS publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year, for May and November, so the line updates accordingly.
Conclusion
The US minimum wage, whether federal or state, is generally far below the Australian full-time average of $108,352 per year. Only high US state minimums or salaried roles approach the line. Australian workers benefit from award rates and annual wage reviews that keep minimums closer to the average. Use the line to benchmark any salary against this national figure.