Robert Half Salary Guide and the National Average
The Robert Half Salary Guide is a widely used tool for benchmarking starting salaries across Australia. It provides salary ranges at three percentiles: the 25th (entry-level), 50th (moderate experience), and 75th (extensive experience). These figures represent gross yearly starting salaries, excluding bonuses and superannuation. The guide also adjusts for location, with premiums for cities like Sydney and Perth.
To understand where these starting salaries sit, we compare them to the national full-time adult average. According to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. This is the benchmark used by Average Line.
Percentiles and Experience Levels
The Robert Half guide's 25th percentile represents someone new to the role, often below the national average. The 50th percentile is the typical starting salary for a candidate with moderate experience. The 75th percentile reflects highly experienced professionals. For example, a role with a 50th percentile of $90,000 would be below the national average, while a 75th percentile of $120,000 would exceed it. The guide does not publish specific role salaries in this summary, but the percentiles help employers and employees gauge where an offer falls relative to the market.
State Variations
State averages can move pay significantly off the national line. The ABS reports full-time ordinary-time earnings by state for May 2026: New South Wales $109,658, Victoria $106,137, Queensland $106,064, South Australia $102,450, Western Australia $115,825, Tasmania $96,008, Northern Territory $103,173, and the Australian Capital Territory $119,090. These are averages, not starting salaries, but they reflect the broader market.
The Robert Half guide incorporates location adjustments: Sydney and Perth command a 9% premium, Melbourne 3%, and Brisbane 1% above the national average. This means a role that pays $100,000 nationally might start at $109,000 in Sydney. Conversely, regional areas may see lower starting salaries. Understanding States and territories helps contextualise these differences.
How Awards and Minimum Wages Interact
Award minimums set a floor below which pay cannot fall, regardless of the guide's percentiles. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Award rates rose by 4.75% in the same period. For roles covered by awards, the minimum may be higher than the guide's 25th percentile for that occupation. This is especially relevant in industries like retail, hospitality, and healthcare. The How the figures are set page explains how these benchmarks are derived.
Why Pay Moves Off the National Line
Several factors cause an individual salary to differ from the national average:
- Industry: The ABS data shows that managers earn $69.20 per hour and professionals $64.50, while sales workers earn less. A role in mining or finance will likely pay above the average; a role in retail may pay below.
- Location: As noted, state and city premiums adjust pay. The national average blends all regions, so a Sydney salary will often be higher.
- Experience: The Robert Half guide's percentiles show that experience directly affects starting pay. A new graduate will be below the average; a senior manager will be above.
- Award coverage: Award minimums ensure a baseline, but many roles are paid above award through enterprise agreements or individual contracts.
- Gender: The ABS reports men's full-time ordinary-time average at $113,412 and women's at $100,594. This gap reflects occupational and industry differences, not just pay rates.
Using the Guide with the National Average
When you receive a salary offer, compare it to the national full-time average of $108,352. If the offer is from the Robert Half guide's 50th percentile for your role and location, it may be competitive. But remember: the guide is for starting salaries only. Total compensation including bonuses and super can push the package higher. The national average includes all full-time workers, not just new hires, so it tends to be higher than many starting salaries.
Conclusion
The Robert Half Salary Guide is a valuable tool for setting and negotiating starting salaries, but it must be viewed alongside the ABS national average, state variations, and award minimums. No single figure tells the whole story. By understanding these layers, you can better assess where a salary sits on the line.