Sales Representative Salary Overview
Sales representatives sell goods and business services to wholesale and retail outlets. Pay varies by industry, experience, and whether the role is salaried or commission-based. This page uses the latest official data to show where a sales representative salary sits against the national full-time average, the all-employees median, and the relevant award minimum.
Median Pay vs National Average
According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the median full-time sales representative earns $1,692 per week before tax. That works out to about $87,984 per year (52 weeks). For context:
- The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year) – ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026.
- The all-occupations full-time median is about $1,741 per week ($90,532 per year).
- The all-employees median (including part-time) is about $1,425 per week ($74,100 per year).
So a typical sales representative earns less than the national full-time average and slightly below the overall full-time median. The gap to the average is roughly 19%.
Award Minimum Rates
The Commercial Sales Award (MA000083) sets minimum pay for sales representatives. From 1 July 2026, the key classifications are:
| Classification | Weekly rate | Hourly rate (38h) |
|---|---|---|
| Probationary traveller | $1,010.52 | $26.59 |
| Merchandiser | $1,044.00 | $27.47 |
| Commercial traveller | $1,122.80 | $29.55 |
| Advertising sales representative | $1,122.80 | $29.55 |
These rates are the legal minimum. Most sales representatives earn above award, as the median is about $570 per week higher than the Commercial Traveller rate. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week for 38 hours), so even the lowest award classification is slightly above that.
Hourly and Weekly Breakdown
Using the median of $1,692 per week and a 38-hour week, the hourly rate is approximately $44.53. This is below the all-occupations median hourly rate of $47. For comparison:
- At the award minimum (Commercial Traveller): $29.55 per hour.
- At the national minimum wage: $26.44 per hour.
If you earn the median, your weekly pay before tax is $1,692. After tax, using 2026–27 resident rates plus the 2% Medicare levy, a single person would take home roughly $1,300–$1,350 per week, depending on deductions. The tax-free threshold is $18,200; then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, and so on.
State Comparisons
Full-time average weekly earnings vary by state (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). While sales representative medians are not published by state, you can compare the national median to your local average:
- New South Wales: $2,108.80 per week ($109,658 per year)
- Victoria: $2,041.10 per week ($106,137 per year)
- Queensland: $2,039.70 per week ($106,064 per year)
- South Australia: $1,970.20 per week ($102,450 per year)
- Western Australia: $2,227.40 per week ($115,825 per year)
- Tasmania: $1,846.30 per week ($96,008 per year)
- Northern Territory: $1,984.10 per week ($103,173 per year)
- Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20 per week ($119,090 per year)
The sales representative median of $1,692 is below every state average, reflecting that the role typically pays less than the cross-industry full-time average.
How the Figures Are Set
The national full-time average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, published twice a year (May and November). The sales representative median is from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, conducted every two years. Award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and updated annually. For more detail on methodology, see How the figures are set.
Place Your Salary on the Line
If you work as a sales representative, you can place your salary on the line to see how it compares to the national average, the median, and others in your occupation. The tool shows your weekly and hourly equivalents based on a 38-hour week.
Industry Medians
Sales representatives work across many industries. For industry-specific medians, visit Industry medians. For other occupations, see Job medians.
Summary
- Median full-time sales representative salary: $1,692 per week ($87,984 per year).
- National full-time average: $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year).
- Award minimum (Commercial Traveller): $1,122.80 per week ($29.55 per hour).
- The median is about 19% below the national average and 7% below the all-occupations full-time median.
Use the links above to explore further or check your own pay.