Sam Kerr salary and the Australian full-time average
Sam Kerr is Australia's most famous footballer and one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world. But exactly how much she earns is not a matter of public record. Unlike salaries in many industries, professional sports contracts are often confidential. This article explains what we know about Sam Kerr's earnings and how they compare to the national full-time average.
The national full-time average: a benchmark
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year. In May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 a week, or $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52). This is the figure this site uses as the line. It includes all full-time employees across all industries and occupations.
By contrast, the median full-time employee earns about $90,532 a year, and the median across all employees (including part-time) is $74,100. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, or $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week.
State averages vary. The highest full-time averages are in the Australian Capital Territory ($119,090) and Western Australia ($115,825). Tasmania has the lowest at $96,008. You can see the full list on the States and territories page.
Where does Sam Kerr's salary fit?
Sam Kerr's primary income comes from her club contract with Chelsea FC Women in England's Women's Super League. While Chelsea is a private club, so her salary is not published in any public filings. Media reports have estimated her annual club pay at Chelsea to be in the range of £250,000 to £400,000 (Australian dollars roughly equivalent). Converting to Australian dollars, that would be well above $500,000. Even the lower end of that range is several times the national full-time average.
In addition, Kerr earns from endorsements with brands such as Nike, Mastercard, and others. She also receives match fees and bonuses from Football Australia for representing the Matildas. Under the 2019 pay equity agreement, Matildas players receive the same base pay and conditions as the Socceroos, plus a share of prize money. However, individual Matildas salaries are not disclosed.
Because her exact salary is not public, we cannot place it precisely on the line. But we can say that if the reported estimates are correct, Sam Kerr's earnings are far above the $108,352 average and well into the top 10% of Australian earners (above $156,000).
How professional football salaries compare
Most professional footballers in Australia earn much less than Sam Kerr. In the A-League Women, the minimum salary under the current collective bargaining agreement is about $25,000 per season. Many players earn more, but the average is still modest compared to the national full-time average. The A-League Men's minimum is higher, around $60,000.
For comparison, the average full-time salary in Australia is $108,352. A minimum-wage worker earns $52,255. So even a top A-League Women's player on a marquee contract might earn around $100,000, roughly the national average. Sam Kerr, playing in England's top league, earns multiples of that.
Why salary transparency matters
This site helps you Place a salary on the line against the national average. For most occupations, salaries are available from awards, enterprise agreements, or the ABS. For high-profile athletes, the lack of public data makes comparison difficult. However, the ABS does publish industry averages. The 'Arts and Recreation Services' industry, which includes professional sport, had a full-time average of about $90,000 in May 2026, below the national average. That reflects many lower-paid workers in the industry.
The gender pay gap in sport
Sam Kerr's reported salary is a sign of progress. Female athletes have historically earned far less than their male counterparts. The Matildas' pay equity deal was a landmark. Yet globally, the top male footballers earn tens of millions, while the top female players earn hundreds of thousands. The gender pay gap in Australia overall is 11.3%: full-time men average $113,412 vs women $100,594.
Conclusion
Sam Kerr's salary is not a matter of public record, but all evidence suggests she earns well above the national full-time average of $108,352. For most Australians, the median employee salary of $74,100 is a more typical benchmark. If you want to see how your own salary compares, use the Guides page explains how to find your award or award rate.