Overtime and the national average
When you hear about the national full-time average salary, the figure most often quoted is the ordinary time average – the pay for standard hours before overtime. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 puts that at $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year. But many workers earn more than that because they work overtime. Your OT salary – the total you take home including overtime – can push you above or below that line.
The ABS also publishes total earnings, which include overtime, bonuses, and other additional payments. For full-time adults, average weekly total earnings were $2,160.10 in May 2026. That’s about $76 a week more than ordinary time earnings. So the average overtime component is modest, but it varies widely by industry, occupation, and individual circumstances.
How overtime is measured
The ABS defines ordinary time earnings as pay for standard hours – typically 38 hours a week for full-time workers. Overtime is any pay above that, often at penalty rates. The difference between total earnings and ordinary time earnings gives a rough measure of overtime pay for overtime hours. However, total earnings also include irregular bonuses and commissions, so the overtime component is not isolated.
For a more precise picture, the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (August 2025) provides median earnings and hourly rates. The median weekly earnings for all employees was $1,436, and the median hourly rate was $42.90. Overtime can significantly lift hourly pay if penalty rates apply.
Who earns overtime?
Overtime is not evenly distributed. Industries like mining, construction, and transport have high rates of overtime. In mining, full-time adult average weekly total earnings in May 2026 were well above the national average, partly due to overtime and shift loadings. Public sector workers also tend to have higher total earnings relative to ordinary time, as the ABS data shows public sector full-time total earnings of $2,331.70 a week compared to ordinary time of $2,263.10.
Award-covered employees often have clear overtime rules and penalty rates. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, but award rates can be higher, and overtime is typically paid at time-and-a-half or double time. Casual employees also get a loading, which is not overtime but adds to total pay.
How overtime affects your position on the line
Place a salary on the line to see where your pay sits against the national full-time ordinary-time average. If you enter your total salary including overtime, you may appear above the line. But for a fair comparison, it’s better to enter your base ordinary time salary. The line is set using ordinary time earnings, so including overtime can overstate your position relative to the typical full-time worker.
If your OT salary is below the ordinary-time average, it may be because you work in an industry with low overtime, or because your base pay is below average. The national full-time average is $108,352 a year, but the median full-time salary is lower – about $90,532 – because high earners pull the average up. Overtime can help bridge that gap, but it’s not guaranteed.
State and territory differences
Overtime patterns also vary by state. Western Australia has the highest full-time average ordinary time earnings at about $115,825 a year, partly due to mining overtime. The Australian Capital Territory is higher still at $119,090, driven by public sector employment. In contrast, Tasmania’s average is $96,008. If you work overtime in a low-average state, your OT salary might still be below the national average.
States and territories provides more detail on how averages differ across Australia.
How the figures are set
The national average used on this site comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, released twice a year for May and November. It measures the level of average earnings at a point in time, not the change in wages. The Wage Price Index is better for tracking wage growth. Overtime is not separately reported in the AWE survey, but total earnings give a clue.
How the figures are set explains the methodology behind the line.
Key takeaways
- The national full-time ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 a week ($108,352 a year).
- Average total earnings including overtime are $2,160.10 a week – about $76 more.
- Overtime is more common in mining, construction, and public sector jobs.
- To see where your pay sits, enter your base ordinary time salary on the line.
- If your OT salary is above the average, you’re earning more than the typical full-time worker in ordinary time – but remember that overtime may not be permanent.
Understanding your OT salary in context helps you negotiate pay, plan your budget, and see how you compare nationally.