Operations Manager Salary Melbourne: How It Compares to the National Average

Where an Operations Manager Salary in Melbourne Sits Against the National Average

If you're an operations manager in Melbourne or considering the role, you probably want to know how your pay compares to the broader market. The most useful benchmark is the national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings, published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). As of May 2026, that figure is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52 weeks). This is the line this site uses.

But the ABS does not publish a specific salary for "operations manager" in Melbourne. The closest official data is for the Managers occupation group, which includes operations managers, general managers, and other management roles. According to the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, the national average weekly total cash earnings for all Managers is $2,800.90, which works out to about $145,647 per year. That is well above the national full-time average.

The Victorian Context

Melbourne is in Victoria, so the state full-time average is a relevant local benchmark. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 shows Victoria's full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings at $2,041.10 ($106,137 per year). That is slightly below the national average. An operations manager in Melbourne would typically earn more than the state average, given the national Managers average is much higher.

Other Benchmarks to Consider

Full-time median earnings: The median for all full-time employees is about $1,741 per week ($90,532 per year) from the ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025. This is a more typical figure than the average, which can be pulled up by high earners.
All-employees median: For all employees (including part-time), the median is $1,436 per week ($74,100 per year).
National minimum wage: From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work). Award minimums rose by 4.75%.

How to Gauge Your Pay

Because there is no single published figure for operations managers in Melbourne, you can use the national Managers average as a guide. If your salary is around $145,000 or more, you are in line with the typical manager nationally. If it is lower, you may still be above the Victorian full-time average. The best way to see where you stand is to place your salary on the line and compare it directly to the national full-time average.

You can also check how your pay compares across states and territories. For example, the ACT has the highest full-time average at $119,090, while Tasmania is lowest at $96,008. Victoria sits in the middle.

A Note on the Data

The ABS publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year (May and November). The figures used here are from May 2026. The occupation data for Managers comes from the Employee Earnings and Hours survey for May 2025, which is the most recent available. Medians are from the August 2025 Employee Earnings release. All figures are before tax. The 2026–27 tax rates are: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that, plus a 2% Medicare levy.

Final Thoughts

While the ABS does not break down salaries by city and specific role, the national Managers average and the Victorian state average give you a solid starting point. If you are an operations manager in Melbourne earning around $140,000–$150,000, you are above the national full-time average and the state average. If you earn less, you may still be competitive depending on experience and industry. Use the tools on this site to get a precise comparison.

Questions

How does an operations manager salary in Melbourne compare to the national full-time average?

The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 ($108,352 per year) according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. The ABS does not publish a specific figure for operations managers in Melbourne, but the national average for all Managers (the occupation group that includes operations managers) is $2,800.90 per week ($145,647 per year) from the Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025 survey. This is significantly higher than the national average. Additionally, the Victorian full-time average is $2,041.10 per week ($106,137 per year), so an operations manager in Melbourne would typically earn well above that.

What is the median salary for operations managers in Melbourne?

The ABS does not provide a median specifically for operations managers in Melbourne. However, for the Managers occupation nationally, the median weekly earnings are not directly published in the Employee Earnings and Hours release. The all-employees median weekly earnings are $1,436 ($74,100 per year) and the full-time median is about $1,741 ($90,532 per year) from the August 2025 Employee Earnings survey. Given that Managers have higher average earnings, the median for operations managers would likely be above the full-time median but below the average for Managers.

How can I use this site to compare my operations manager salary?

You can [place a salary on the line](/line) to see how it compares to the national full-time average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year). The tool also shows the distance from the average, the weekly and hourly equivalents on a 38-hour week, and how it stacks up against state averages like Victoria's $2,041.10 per week. For more context, explore [states and territories](/states) to see full-time averages across Australia.