Primary teacher salary and the national average
Primary teaching is one of the largest professions in Australia, with about 165,900 people employed. The median full-time primary teacher earns $2,226 per week, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) as reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. That works out to roughly $115,752 a year before tax. How does that compare to the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 a year) from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026? The median sits above the average, meaning half of full-time primary teachers earn more than the typical worker, and half earn less. But the picture is more nuanced when you look at award minimums, experience levels, and location.
Where the figures come from
The national average line on this site is drawn from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. It measures the average weekly ordinary-time earnings for full-time adults, seasonally adjusted: $2,083.70. Multiply by 52 for a yearly figure of about $108,352. The median for all full-time workers is lower, about $90,532 a year, but primary teachers have a higher median than that. The primary teacher median comes from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which is published less frequently (most recently August 2025) and is reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. The award minimums are from Fair Work’s Educational Services (Teachers) Award, updated from 1 July 2026.
How award rates set a floor
The award provides minimum weekly pay rates for teachers in preschools and schools. From 1 July 2026, the five levels are:
- Level 1: $1,455.40 per week ($38.30 per hour)
- Level 2: $1,590.70 per week ($41.86 per hour)
- Level 3: $1,731.70 per week ($45.57 per hour)
- Level 4: $1,872.70 per week ($49.28 per hour)
- Level 5: $2,013.70 per week ($52.99 per hour)
Level 5 is close to the national average but still below the median. Most primary teachers are covered by enterprise agreements that pay above the award, so the award acts as a floor rather than a typical rate. Casual teachers have different arrangements, with a maximum of Level 3 for short engagements.
What moves pay above or below the average
Several factors can push a primary teacher’s salary above or below the national line.
Experience and classification
Teachers progress through award levels as they gain experience and qualifications. A new graduate at Level 1 earns well below the national average. After several years, a teacher at Level 5 earns close to the average. Many schools have enterprise agreements that offer additional steps beyond Level 5, lifting pay above the average.
Public versus private sector
The public sector full-time average is $2,263.10 per week ($117,681 a year), while the private sector average is $2,034.10 ($105,773). Most primary teachers work in public schools, which tend to pay higher than private schools on average. However, some private schools offer above-award salaries for experienced teachers.
Location
State full-time averages vary significantly. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest average at about $119,090, while Tasmania is lowest at about $96,008. Primary teachers in the ACT or remote areas may earn well above the national median, while those in Tasmania or parts of Queensland may earn less. Use the States and territories page to see how your state compares.
Full-time versus part-time
The median figure of $2,226 per week is for full-time teachers. About 63% of primary teachers work full-time, according to Jobs and Skills Australia. Part-time teachers earn proportionally less, which can pull their annual salary below the national average.
Additional duties and overtime
Teachers often work beyond the standard 38-hour week. The average full-time hours for primary teachers is 45 hours per week, according to the ABS. Overtime, coaching, and extra-curricular work can increase total earnings, but these are not always paid at penalty rates. The award provides overtime rates, but many teachers are salaried and do not receive additional pay for extra hours.
Using the line tool
You can Place a salary on the line to see how any figure compares to the national full-time average. Enter a yearly salary before tax, and the tool shows the weekly and hourly equivalents on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the average. For a primary teacher on the median of $115,752, the tool would show a weekly figure of $2,226 and an hourly rate of about $58.58, which is above the line. For a teacher on the award Level 1 of $75,681 a year, the tool would show a figure well below the line.
Other benchmarks
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 a year on 38 hours. That is far below any teacher salary. The all-employees median (including part-time) is about $74,100 a year, also below the primary teacher median. The full-time median for all occupations is about $90,532. Primary teachers sit comfortably above that.
Tax considerations
For 2026–27, the tax-free threshold is $18,200. A primary teacher on the median of $115,752 would fall into the 30% marginal tax bracket (up to $135,000) plus the 2% Medicare levy. After tax and Medicare, the take-home pay would be roughly $85,000–$87,000, depending on deductions. Award-level teachers would pay less tax.
Summary
Primary teacher pay is above the national full-time average at the median, but individual circumstances vary widely. Experience, sector, location, and hours all play a role. The award provides a safety net, but most teachers earn above it. For a personalised comparison, use the Job medians page or the line tool.
Place a salary on the line Job medians States and territories