How retail manager pay sits against the national average
Retail managers organise and control the operations of shops and retail outlets. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time retail manager earns $1,620 per week before tax. That figure comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) and is a median, not an average. It means half of full-time retail managers earn more, half less.
How does that compare to the national line? The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey (May 2026) puts the full-time adult ordinary-time average at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52). The retail manager median is roughly $460 a week less than that average. Even the all-employees median of about $1,436 per week (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025) is below the retail manager figure, but the full-time median of about $1,741 per week is higher. So retail managers earn more than the typical worker overall but less than the typical full-time worker.
Where the figure comes from
The ABS does not publish a specific average for retail managers. The $1,620 median is from a customised report for Jobs and Skills Australia, using the same survey that gives the broader occupation medians. The survey covers full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, which excludes most senior managers and part-timers. That makes it a useful benchmark for comparing occupations, but it is not the same as an average of all retail managers.
For context, the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (May 2025) reports that all managers (across all industries) earn an average of $2,800.90 per week. That figure includes senior executives and general managers, so it is much higher than the retail manager median. Retail managers sit within the broader "Managers" group but typically at a lower level.
What would move this pay above or below the average?
Several factors can push a retail manager's salary above or below the national full-time average.
Location
State full-time averages vary significantly. The highest is the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090 a year, followed by Western Australia at $115,825 and New South Wales at $109,658. Retail managers in those states may earn more than the national median, especially in high-cost cities like Sydney or Perth. Conversely, Tasmania's full-time average is about $96,008, and South Australia's is $102,450 – below the national average. A retail manager in Hobart or Adelaide is more likely to earn below the line.
See how state averages compare
Award coverage vs individual agreements
Many retail managers are covered by the General Retail Industry Award. From 1 July 2026, award minimums rose by 4.75%. The award rate for a Retail Manager Grade 1 is typically around $1,100–$1,200 per week, depending on classification and experience. That is above the national minimum wage ($1,004.90) but well below the $1,620 median. Managers on individual agreements or enterprise bargains can earn more, especially in larger chains or high-volume stores.
Experience and store size
A retail manager running a small boutique will earn less than one managing a large supermarket or department store. The median $1,620 reflects a mix of store sizes. Managers with several years of experience, or those responsible for multiple departments, can earn $2,000 or more per week, bringing them closer to the national average. Bonuses and profit-share schemes can also lift total earnings.
Explore job medians for other occupations
How the national average is set
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey measures the average weekly ordinary time earnings for full-time adults. It is published twice a year, for May and November. The May 2026 figure of $2,083.70 is a seasonally adjusted estimate. It includes all industries and sectors, public and private. The survey is designed to track movements in earnings over time, not to set pay rates. It is the benchmark used on this site to show where a salary sits relative to the "line".
Tax and take-home pay
A retail manager earning the median $1,620 per week ($84,240 a year) would fall into the 30% tax bracket for 2026–27 (income between $45,001 and $135,000). After the Medicare levy of 2%, the marginal tax rate is 32%. Take-home pay would be roughly $1,180 per week after tax, depending on deductions and offsets. A retail manager earning above the national average of $108,352 would be in the same bracket but with a higher effective tax rate.
Summary
The retail manager median of $1,620 per week is below the national full-time average of $2,083.70. It is above the all-employees median and well above the minimum wage. Location, award coverage, experience, and store size are the main factors that can move an individual's pay above or below the line. For a precise comparison, use the salary line tool on this site.