Salary Survey: Where Does Your Pay Sit Against the National Average?
Understanding how your salary compares to the national average is a common goal of any salary survey. The most authoritative benchmark in Australia is the ABS Average Weekly Earnings release. As of May 2026, the national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, which equates to about $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52). This figure is the line used on this site to show how far your pay is above or below the typical full-time worker.
But the average is just one number. A salary survey that digs deeper reveals a wide spread of earnings. The full-time median is about $90,532, meaning half of full-time workers earn less than that. The all-employees median (including part-time) is about $74,100. These medians come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for August 2025. The national minimum wage, set by Fair Work from 1 July 2026, is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% at the same time.
What Pushes Pay Above the Average?
Several factors can lift your salary above the national full-time average. Industry is a major driver. According to the ABS Employee Earnings survey, the mining industry has the highest average hourly earnings for non-managerial employees at $74.10 per hour, well above the all-industries average. Professional services, electricity, gas, water and waste services, and construction also tend to pay above the national average. Occupation matters too: managers earn an average of $69.20 per hour, and professionals earn $64.50 per hour. If you work in a high-paying industry or occupation, your salary survey result is likely to be above the line.
Location is another factor. The state full-time averages vary significantly. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest average at about $119,090, followed by Western Australia at about $115,825. New South Wales ($109,658) and Victoria ($106,137) are close to the national average. In contrast, Tasmania's average is about $96,008, and South Australia's is about $102,450. If you work in the ACT or WA, you are more likely to be above the national average.
Gender also plays a role. The ABS data shows that men's full-time ordinary-time average is about $113,412, while women's is about $100,594. This gap persists across industries and occupations. A salary survey that does not account for gender may miss important disparities.
What Pushes Pay Below the Average?
Conversely, certain factors tend to keep pay below the national average. Working in industries such as retail, accommodation and food services, or arts and recreation typically results in lower earnings. Part-time work also pulls down the all-employees average, but even among full-time workers, those in lower-paid occupations like community and personal service workers (average hourly $41.20) or clerical and administrative workers ($31.50 per hour) earn less than the full-time average.
Location again matters: Tasmania's full-time average is about $96,008, which is more than $12,000 below the national average. South Australia and the Northern Territory also sit below the national figure. If you work in these states, your salary survey result may be below the line even if you are well paid locally.
Method of setting pay can also influence earnings. The ABS reports that individual arrangement is the most common method (38.5% of employees), followed by collective agreement (34.6%). Those on collective agreements often have more predictable pay increases but may lag behind market rates in high-demand fields.
How to Use This Salary Survey Information
When you place a salary on the line on this site, the tool compares your yearly salary before tax to the national full-time average. It shows the weekly and hourly equivalent on a 38-hour week, and the distance from the average. This gives you a quick sense of where you stand.
For a more detailed comparison, you can explore job medians or industry medians to see typical pay for your role or sector. The states and territories page breaks down averages by location. If you want to understand how the figures are calculated, see how the figures are set.
Remember that the average is not a target or a guarantee. It is a statistical measure that can be influenced by the mix of jobs in the economy. A salary survey that only looks at the average may miss the nuances of your specific situation. Use the medians and distributions to get a fuller picture.
Key Takeaways from the Latest Salary Survey Data
- The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).
- The full-time median is about $90,532; the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).
- The national minimum wage is $52,255 per year (Fair Work, from 1 July 2026).
- Industry, occupation, location, gender, and pay-setting method all affect where your salary sits relative to the average.
- Use the site's tools to see your own position and explore more detailed benchmarks.
Whether your pay is above or below the average, understanding the factors behind the numbers can help you negotiate, plan your career, or simply know where you stand in the broader Australian labour market.