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Salary Calculator Sydney: Where Your Pay Sits Against the National Full-Time Average

The full-time average for New South Wales (including Sydney) is about $109,658 a year, slightly above the national full-time average of $108,352.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 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

Understanding the Salary Calculator Sydney

If you live or work in Sydney, the Place a salary on the line tool lets you see how your yearly pay compares with the Australian full-time average. The national figure is $108,352 a year ($2,083.70 a week) from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. For Sydney, the closest state average is New South Wales at about $109,658 a year. That means full-time workers in Sydney typically earn a little more than the national line, though your own salary may be above or below depending on your industry, experience, and role.

How the Calculator Works

The tool accepts a yearly salary before tax. It then calculates the weekly and hourly amounts based on a standard 38-hour week. It also shows the dollar difference and percentage distance from the national full-time average. No login, award search, or tax return is required. The calculator uses the same 38-hour week that Fair Work applies to the national minimum wage.

Where the Figures Come From

The national full-time average is from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026). The ABS publishes this survey twice a year, in May and November, so the figure is updated every six months. The state averages, including New South Wales, come from the same survey. Medians are from the ABS Employee Earnings publication (August 2025). The national minimum wage is set by Fair Work and from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or about $52,255 a year on 38 hours.

Sydney Salaries in Context

Sydney is part of New South Wales, and the state full-time average of $109,658 is about 1.2% above the national average. However, averages can be pulled up by high earners in finance, tech, and professional services. The national full-time median of $90,532 gives a better sense of what a typical full-time worker earns. For all employees (including part-time and casual), the national median is $74,100. The ABS does not publish a separate median for Sydney, but it is likely close to the national median or slightly higher.

Tax on Your Salary

If you use the calculator to estimate take-home pay, remember the 2026–27 resident tax rates: no tax on the first $18,200; 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy adds 2% before any reductions. These rates apply to your taxable income after deductions.

Comparing with Other States

New South Wales is not the highest-paying state. Western Australia leads at about $115,825, followed by the Australian Capital Territory at $119,090. Victoria ($106,137), Queensland ($106,064), and South Australia ($102,450) are below the national average. Tasmania ($96,008) is the lowest. The States and territories page shows all state averages and how they compare with the national line.

Using the Calculator for Job Offers or Negotiations

If you receive a job offer in Sydney, enter the proposed salary into the calculator to see where it sits. A salary above $108,352 is above the national average; one below is below. For a more realistic benchmark, compare with the national full-time median ($90,532) or the all-employees median ($74,100). The calculator only shows distance from the average, but you can mentally compare with the medians.

Limitations

The calculator uses the national full-time average, not a Sydney-specific average. The NSW average is a close proxy, but it includes all of the state, not just the city. Also, the average is for adult ordinary-time earnings, which excludes overtime and part-time workers. If you work part-time or casual, your weekly pay will differ. The tool assumes a 38-hour week, so adjust if your hours are different.

How the Figures Are Set

The ABS collects data from employers through the Survey of Average Weekly Earnings. The May 2026 release is the latest available. Fair Work sets the minimum wage and award rates after annual reviews. The How the figures are set page explains the methodology in more detail.

Final Thoughts

The salary calculator Sydney is a quick way to see where your pay stands against the national benchmark. Use it alongside the state average and medians to get a fuller picture. Remember that averages can be skewed by very high or low salaries, and your individual circumstances matter.

Questions

What is the average salary in Sydney?

The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for New South Wales (May 2026) gives a full-time adult ordinary-time average of about $109,658 a year. This is the closest published state figure for Sydney. The national full-time average is $108,352. Sydney salaries tend to be above the national line, but individual results vary by industry and occupation.

How does the salary calculator Sydney work?

The on-site tool accepts a yearly salary before tax. It then shows the equivalent weekly and hourly amounts based on a 38-hour week, and calculates the distance from the national full-time average ($108,352). No login or award search is needed. The calculator uses the ABS Average Weekly Earnings as its reference line.

What is the difference between average and median salary in Sydney?

The average (mean) full-time salary for New South Wales is about $109,658. The national full-time median is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The median is the middle value, so half of full-time workers earn less than $90,532 nationally. Sydney's median is likely similar or slightly higher, but the ABS does not publish a city-level median.

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