What a salary definition means for your pay against the national average
When you enter a yearly salary into Average line, the tool compares it to the national full-time adult ordinary-time average. That average is the line. Understanding what that line represents – and what a salary definition includes – helps you see where your pay sits and what might move it above or below.
The national full-time average line
The site uses the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, as its benchmark. For full-time adults, ordinary-time earnings (excluding overtime) are $2,083.70 a week. Multiplied by 52, that is about $108,352 a year. This is the line. If your salary is above that, you earn more than the typical full-time worker; below, you earn less. The tool also shows your weekly and hourly equivalents based on a 38-hour week.
This average is not the same as the median. The full-time median from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (August 2025) is about $90,532 a year. The all-employees median (including part-time) is about $74,100. The average is higher because it is pulled up by high earners. So if your salary is around $90,000, you are below the average line but close to the full-time median.
How medians and minimums compare
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or about $52,255 a year on 38 hours. That is well below the average line. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from the same date. The site keeps these distinct: the line is the full-time average, not the minimum or the median. Place a salary on the line to see how it compares.
What moves pay above or below the average
Several factors can push a salary above or below the national line:
- Industry: Mining, electricity and gas, and professional services tend to pay above average. Retail, accommodation, and food services pay below. The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey shows mining hourly earnings of $74.10, while sales workers average $33.40.
- Location: State averages vary. The ACT is highest at about $119,090 a year; Tasmania is lowest at about $96,008. Western Australia ($115,825) and New South Wales ($109,658) are above the national line, while Victoria ($106,137), Queensland ($106,064), South Australia ($102,450), and the Northern Territory ($103,173) are close or slightly below. States and territories has more detail.
- Gender: Men's full-time ordinary-time average is about $113,412 a year; women's is about $100,594. The gap reflects differences in industry, hours, and role.
- Public vs private sector: The public sector full-time average is about $117,681 a year; the private sector is about $105,773. Public sector roles often have higher base pay and conditions.
- Occupation: Managers and professionals earn above average hourly rates ($69.20 and $64.50 respectively), while labourers ($35.40) and sales workers ($33.40) earn below.
How the site uses the definition
The salary definition on Average line is straightforward: it is the gross annual salary before tax, as you would see on a contract or payslip. The tool does not deduct tax, Medicare levy, or superannuation. It shows the weekly and hourly equivalent on a 38-hour week, then draws the distance from the national full-time average. That distance is the key insight – it tells you whether your pay is above or below the typical full-time worker.
For example, if your salary is $120,000, you are about $11,648 above the line. If it is $80,000, you are about $28,352 below. The site also shows the tax bracket (2026–27 rates: nil to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above) and the Medicare levy of 2%, but these are separate from the salary definition.
Why the definition matters
Knowing the salary definition helps you interpret the line. The ABS updates Average Weekly Earnings twice a year – May and November. The next release is February 2027 for November 2026 data. The line moves with each release. If you are comparing your salary to the average, use the most recent figure. The site uses the May 2026 release as its current line.
If your pay is below the line, it may be because of industry, location, or part-time status. If it is above, you may be in a high-paying sector or have seniority. The site’s Guides and How the figures are set explain more about the methodology.
Summary
The salary definition on Average line is the gross yearly salary before tax, compared to the ABS full-time adult ordinary-time average of $108,352 a year. Medians and minimums are separate benchmarks. What moves pay above or below includes industry, state, gender, sector, and occupation. Use the tool to Place a salary on the line and see where you stand.