Introduction
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average wage in Australia is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. This figure is the benchmark used on this site to measure where any salary sits relative to the typical full-time worker. For a project administrator, understanding how your pay compares requires looking beyond a single number, because the role can fall under different occupation classifications, award coverage, and state labour markets.
Where Does a Project Administrator Sit?
The ABS does not publish a specific salary for project administrators. The closest occupation group in the Employee Earnings and Hours survey (May 2025) is Clerical and Administrative Workers, which had average weekly total cash earnings of $1,370.60 for all employees (including part-time). For full-time clerical and administrative workers, the median weekly earnings were $1,370 (first quartile $1,370? Actually the table shows full-time females median $1,758, full-time males $1,994, but for clerical/admin the average is $1,370.60 all employees – that includes many part-time roles). Project administrators often work full-time and may be classified as Professionals in some industries, where the average weekly total cash earnings were $2,049.60 for all employees. Without a dedicated figure, the best approach is to use the site's line tool to compare your own salary.
The Role of Awards
A project administrator's pay is often set by an award or enterprise agreement. The Fair Work national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. However, award minimums for clerical and administrative roles are higher. The Clerks Award, for example, sets rates above the minimum. According to the ABS, employees on award-only arrangements earned an average of $922.20 per week across all occupations in May 2025, while those on collective agreements earned $1,746.10 and those on individual arrangements earned $1,876.50. Project administrators on individual contracts or in professional roles are likely to earn more than award minimums.
State Differences
Where you work has a significant impact. The on-site state averages from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 show:
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090 per year
- Western Australia: $115,825
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- South Australia: $102,450
- Tasmania: $96,008
A project administrator in the ACT or WA could earn well above the national average, while one in Tasmania might be below. The industry mix in each state also matters – project administrators in mining or construction (common in WA) tend to earn more than those in retail or health.
How to Use This Site
To see where your project administrator salary sits, enter your yearly before-tax figure into the line tool. The site will show your weekly and hourly pay based on a 38-hour week, and the distance from the national full-time average. You can also explore state and territory averages or occupation medians for broader context. For more on how the figures are set, see How the figures are set.
Conclusion
While the ABS does not publish a specific project administrator salary, you can estimate your position using related occupation data, award rates, and state averages. The national full-time average of $108,352 is a useful anchor, but your actual pay will depend on your award, your state, and whether you are on an individual or collective arrangement. Use the tools on this site to get a clear picture.