How teacher pay compares with the national average
For anyone asking about a Queensland teacher salary, the most reliable starting point is the minimum rates set by the Fair Work Ombudsman under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020. These rates apply to teachers in preschools and schools across Australia, including Queensland, unless a registered enterprise agreement provides higher pay. The award sets five classification levels based on accreditation and experience, with weekly minimums ranging from $1,455.40 for a graduate teacher (Level 1) to $2,013.70 for a highly accomplished or lead teacher (Level 5).
Where the national average sits
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings across Australia are $2,083.70 per week. That works out to about $108,352 a year when multiplied by 52. This is the figure the site uses as its line. For Queensland specifically, the state full-time average is about $106,064 per year, slightly below the national figure but still above most teacher award levels.
Only a teacher at the top award classification (Level 5) comes close to the national average, earning $2,013.70 per week – about $70 short. Teachers at Level 4 ($1,872.70) are about $211 below, and those at Level 1 are more than $628 below. So a typical Queensland teacher salary under the award sits below the national full-time average, though it is well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week).
What would move pay above or below the average
Several factors can push a teacher’s pay higher or lower relative to the national line.
Classification and experience are the biggest drivers. A teacher who has achieved proficient accreditation (Level 2) earns $1,590.70 per week, still well below average. After three years at Level 2 they move to Level 3 ($1,731.70), and after another three years to Level 4 ($1,872.70). Only those who reach Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher status (Level 5) approach the average. Teachers in long day care centres receive an additional 4% on top of the school rates, which narrows the gap slightly.
Sector matters. The ABS data shows that public sector full-time employees earn a higher average ($2,263.10 per week) than private sector employees ($2,034.10). Queensland public school teachers are often covered by enterprise agreements that provide incremental salary scales above the award minimums. For example, a teacher with several years of experience in a state school may earn more than the award Level 4 or 5 rates, potentially reaching or exceeding the national average. Private school salaries vary widely and may be above or below the public sector depending on the school’s resources.
Location within Queensland also plays a role. The ABS state average for Queensland is $2,039.70 per week for full-time adults, but this masks regional differences. Teachers in remote or very remote schools may receive additional allowances that boost their total earnings above the state average. Conversely, teachers in smaller towns may have fewer opportunities for higher-level classifications.
Allowances and overtime can add to base pay. The award includes provisions for special education allowances, music tuition allowances, and payment for additional duties. Overtime and penalty rates for work outside ordinary hours (such as school camps or evening events) also increase total earnings, though these are less common for teachers than in some other professions.
How the award rates compare with medians
It is useful to distinguish between averages and medians. The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for August 2025 gives a full-time median of about $90,532 per year and an all-employees median of about $74,100. The award Level 1 annual salary of $75,941 is just above the all-employees median but below the full-time median. Level 2 ($83,004) is still below the full-time median. Level 3 ($90,362) is very close to the full-time median, and Level 4 ($97,720) and Level 5 ($105,076) sit above it. So while most award levels are below the average, they are not necessarily below the median – especially for more experienced teachers.
Putting your own salary on the line
If you are a teacher in Queensland and want to see where your pay sits against the national full-time average, you can place a salary on the line using the site’s tool. The tool works with a yearly salary before tax and shows the weekly and hourly equivalents based on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the ABS average. You can also explore how your pay compares with other states and territories or look at job medians for teaching roles.
A note on sources
All average earnings figures in this article come from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. The award rates are from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, effective from 1 July 2026. The national minimum wage and award increases reflect the 4.75 per cent rise that took effect on that date. Tax rates are for the 2026–27 financial year as published by the ATO, with the Medicare levy of 2 per cent applying before any reductions.
Summary
A Queensland teacher salary under the award is generally below the national full-time average of $108,352 per year, but above the national minimum wage. Teachers at the top classification or those in public sector enterprise agreements may reach or exceed the average. The gap is smallest for experienced, highly accredited teachers and largest for graduate teachers. Understanding where your pay sits relative to the line can help with career planning and salary negotiations.