Primary school teacher salary QLD: what the data shows

Primary school teacher salary QLD: year, week and hour

If you are looking for a primary school teacher salary in Queensland, the most reliable national figure is the median full-time weekly earnings of $2,226 (about $115,752 a year before tax), according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, August 2025, as reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. That figure is for all primary school teachers nationally, not Queensland specifically. The ABS does not publish a state-level median for this occupation.

To put that in context, the Queensland full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,039.70 (about $106,064 a year) from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. That is the average across all full-time workers in Queensland, not just teachers. The national full-time average is $2,083.70 a week ($108,352 a year). So a primary school teacher on the national median earns about $186 a week more than the Queensland all-occupation average, and about $142 a week more than the national average.

How the figures are set

The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey measures the average pay of all full-time adults, while the Employee Earnings and Hours survey gives medians for specific occupations. Medians are less affected by very high or low salaries, so they are a better guide for a typical teacher. The award minimums, set by Fair Work under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award, provide a legal floor. From 1 July 2026, the weekly rates are:

Level 1: $1,455.40 ($75,681 a year)
Level 2: $1,590.70 ($82,716 a year)
Level 3: $1,731.70 ($90,048 a year)
Level 4: $1,872.70 ($97,380 a year)
Level 5: $2,013.70 ($104,712 a year)

Most Queensland primary school teachers are employed under state government agreements that pay above these award rates, especially after several years of experience. The national median of $2,226 a week suggests the typical teacher earns above Level 5.

Reading the same pay as a year, a week, and an hour

The site converts any salary to a weekly figure based on a 38-hour week, and shows how far it sits from the national full-time average line of $2,083.70 a week. For a primary school teacher on the national median:

Yearly: $115,752
Weekly: $2,226
Hourly: $58.58 (based on 38 hours)

If you place a salary on the line, you can see the distance from the average. For example, $2,226 a week is $142 above the line. The Queensland all-occupation average of $2,039.70 is $44 below the line.

State and territory comparisons

Queensland’s full-time average of $106,064 a year is slightly below the national average. For comparison, the states and territories range from Tasmania at $96,008 to the ACT at $119,090. Western Australia ($115,825) and New South Wales ($109,658) are above Queensland. A primary school teacher in Queensland earning the national median would be well above the state average, reflecting the higher pay typical for professionals.

Minimum wage and award context

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or $52,255 a year on 38 hours. The lowest teacher award rate (Level 1) is $38.30 an hour, nearly 45% above the minimum. The median teacher hourly rate of $60 is more than double the minimum wage. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, in line with the Fair Work Commission’s annual review.

Tax on a primary school teacher salary in Queensland

For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates 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
45% above $190,000

Plus a 2% Medicare levy. On $115,752, the estimated tax is about $26,138 plus Medicare $2,315, leaving $87,299 after tax. That is about $1,679 a week. Actual tax depends on deductions, HELP repayments, and other factors.

What the data does not tell us

The ABS does not break down teacher earnings by state in its published median data. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for Primary School Teachers is national only. For a Queensland-specific figure, you would need to consult the Queensland Department of Education’s salary schedules for state school teachers, or the relevant enterprise agreement. Those agreements typically set pay scales based on classification and years of service, often exceeding the award minimums.

Summary

While a precise primary school teacher salary for Queensland is not published in the national statistics, the national median of $2,226 a week ($115,752 a year) is a strong benchmark. It sits above the Queensland all-occupation average and well above the award minimums. Use the Queensland page to see how the state average compares, or place your own salary on the line to see where you stand against the national full-time average.

Questions

Where does the figure for a primary school teacher salary in Queensland come from?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not release a state-level median for primary school teachers. The most authoritative national figure is the median full-time weekly earnings of $2,226 from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, August 2025, published by Jobs and Skills Australia. For Queensland, the best available benchmark is the state full-time average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,039.70 (about $106,064 a year) from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. Award minimums under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award set a floor: Level 1 teachers receive $1,455.40 a week ($75,681 a year) and Level 5 teachers receive $2,013.70 a week ($104,712 a year) from 1 July 2026.

How does the award minimum compare with the national full-time average?

The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 ($108,352 a year) as of May 2026. The highest award classification for a teacher (Level 5) pays $2,013.70 a week, which is $70 a week below the national average. The lowest classification (Level 1) pays $1,455.40 a week, about $628 below the average. Most experienced teachers in Queensland would earn above the award minimum, often closer to or above the national average, depending on their classification and years of service.

What would a primary school teacher in Queensland take home after tax?

Using the national median of $2,226 a week ($115,752 a year) as a guide, the 2026–27 tax rates apply: no tax on the first $18,200, 15% on income up to $45,000, 30% on income up to $135,000, plus a 2% Medicare levy. On $115,752, the estimated tax would be about $26,138 plus Medicare levy $2,315, leaving roughly $87,299 after tax, or about $1,679 a week. Actual take-home pay depends on individual circumstances, including any deductions or offsets.