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Primary Teacher Salary NSW: How Pay Compares to the National Average

The median full-time salary for primary school teachers nationally is about $115,752 per year, but no specific average for NSW is published; the NSW full-time average across all occupations is about $109,658.

This is the New South Wales full-time average. It sits $1,306 over the Australian full-time average, about 1.2% above the line.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,109 a week · $55.49 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $84,047 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Primary teacher pay in NSW

If you are looking for the typical salary of a primary teacher in New South Wales, the most reliable figure comes from the national median for the occupation. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for primary school teachers is $2,226, which works out to about $115,752 a year before tax. This is based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, and refers to full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. It is a median, meaning half of primary teachers earn more and half earn less.

No official source publishes a separate average or median for primary teachers in NSW. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings release gives state-level averages for all full-time adults, but not by occupation. For NSW, the full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,108.80, or about $109,658 a year. That is the average across all industries and occupations in the state. Primary teachers may earn more or less than this figure depending on experience, sector (public or private), and location.

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

To put a salary in perspective, you can convert it to weekly and hourly amounts using a standard 38-hour week. For the national median of $115,752 a year:

  • Weekly: $2,226
  • Hourly: about $58.58

For the NSW all-occupations average of $109,658 a year:

  • Weekly: $2,108.80
  • Hourly: about $55.49

These figures are before tax. The 2026–27 tax rates apply: no tax on the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy adds 2% for most people.

How primary teacher pay compares to the national line

The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70, or $108,352 a year. This is the line used on this site. The national median for primary teachers ($2,226) sits above that line by about $142 a week, or $7,400 a year. The NSW all-occupations average ($2,108.80) is also above the line, but by a smaller margin.

It is important to keep averages and medians distinct. The average can be pulled up by high earners, while the median represents the middle. For primary teachers, the median is higher than the all-occupations average, which suggests the occupation pays relatively well compared to the workforce as a whole.

Award minimums for primary teachers

Under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award, minimum weekly pay rates for full-time teachers range from $1,223.50 (Level 1) to $1,692.90 (Level 5). These are the legal minimums, not typical earnings. Most teachers with experience or in permanent roles earn above the award. The award rates increased by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, in line with the national minimum wage increase.

Casual teachers have different rates. For example, a casual teacher at Level 1 receives $305.88 for a full day or $161.00 for up to four hours in a children’s or early childhood service. The award also includes penalty rates for Saturday, overtime, and shift work.

State and territory context

Full-time average weekly earnings vary across Australia. The table below shows the state averages from the ABS for May 2026:

  • New South Wales: $2,108.80 ($109,658/year)
  • Victoria: $2,041.10 ($106,137/year)
  • Queensland: $2,039.70 ($106,064/year)
  • South Australia: $1,970.20 ($102,450/year)
  • Western Australia: $2,227.40 ($115,825/year)
  • Tasmania: $1,846.30 ($96,008/year)
  • Northern Territory: $1,984.10 ($103,173/year)
  • Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20 ($119,090/year)

Primary teachers in NSW may earn differently from these all-occupations averages. The national median for the occupation is a better guide than the state average, but it does not account for cost-of-living differences or local demand.

Where to find more information

For a detailed breakdown of how salaries compare across occupations, visit the Job medians page. To see how your pay stacks up against the national average, use the Place a salary on the line tool. You can also explore States and territories for state-level averages. For more about how these figures are collected, see About this site.

Summary

  • National median full-time earnings for primary school teachers: $2,226/week ($115,752/year)
  • NSW all-occupations full-time average: $2,108.80/week ($109,658/year)
  • National full-time average (the line): $2,083.70/week ($108,352/year)
  • Award minimums: $1,223.50 to $1,692.90/week

No specific NSW primary teacher average is published. The national median is the best available figure for the occupation.

Questions

What is the average salary for a primary teacher in NSW?

The ABS does not publish a specific average salary for primary teachers in NSW. The best available figure is the national median full-time earnings for primary school teachers, which is $2,226 per week ($115,752 per year) according to Jobs and Skills Australia. For context, the average weekly earnings for all full-time workers in NSW is $2,108.80 ($109,658 per year).

How does the primary teacher salary compare to the national full-time average?

The national median for primary teachers ($2,226/week) is above the national full-time average of $2,083.70/week ($108,352/year). However, median and average are different measures; the median is the middle point, while the average is the mean. Primary teachers' median is higher than the all-occupations average.

What are the minimum pay rates for primary teachers under the award?

Under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award, minimum weekly rates range from $1,223.50 (Level 1) to $1,692.90 (Level 5) for full-time teachers. These are minimums, not typical earnings. Most experienced teachers earn above the award.

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