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Secondary school teacher salary: How it compares to the national average

The median full-time weekly earnings for secondary school teachers is $2,322, above the national full-time average of $2,083.70.

This sits $30,352 under the Australian full-time average, about 28.0% below the line. The closest full-time state average is Tasmania. It is off the left edge of the ruler. This close-up only covers full-time state averages.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$1,500 a week · $39.47 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $62,520 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

Where the secondary school teacher salary sits against the national average

The national full-time adult average ordinary time earnings in Australia is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the line that Average line uses as a benchmark. For secondary school teachers, the most recent median full-time weekly earnings is $2,322 (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025), which is about $238 a week above the national average. That puts the typical secondary school teacher above the line.

But the median is not the whole story. The median is the midpoint – half of full-time secondary school teachers earn more, half earn less. And the median itself is for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, which excludes part-time workers, managers, and junior employees. About 77% of secondary school teachers work full-time, compared to 69% across all occupations.

Award minimums are lower

Under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, which covers most teachers in preschools and schools, the minimum weekly rates from 1 July 2026 range from $1,455.40 (Level 1) to $2,013.70 (Level 5). The hourly rates go from $38.30 to $52.99. These are the legal minimums – many teachers are paid above award, especially in the public system or after several years of experience.

A teacher starting at Level 1 earns about $75,681 a year (based on 52 weeks), which is well below the national full-time average of $108,352. Even at Level 5, the award rate of $2,013.70 a week ($104,712 a year) is slightly below the national average. So early-career and some experienced teachers on award rates may sit below the line, while those with higher classification or in better-paying systems are above.

How experience and classification move pay

The award has five classification levels, typically linked to years of experience and qualifications. Moving from Level 1 to Level 5 adds about $558 a week, or $29,000 a year. Many state government systems have their own salary scales that go beyond the award, often with additional steps or higher starting rates. For example, a teacher with a few years of experience in a state school might be on a salary equivalent to award Level 3 or 4, which is still below the national average. But experienced teachers, especially those in senior roles or with additional responsibilities, can earn well above the median.

State and territory differences

The national full-time average varies by state and territory. For instance, the ACT has the highest full-time average at $119,090, while Tasmania has the lowest at $96,008. A secondary school teacher in the ACT is more likely to be above the national line, while one in Tasmania may be closer to the award minimums. The States and territories page shows the full-time average for each jurisdiction. Teacher salaries also vary by state – some states have higher pay scales or better conditions.

Full-time hours and the 38-hour benchmark

The national average used on this site is based on ordinary time earnings for full-time adults, typically a 38-hour week. But secondary school teachers work an average of 45 hours per week when full-time, according to the ABS. That means their weekly earnings of $2,322 are earned over more hours. If you convert the median to a 38-hour week, the equivalent hourly rate is about $61.11 ($2,322 / 38), which is still above the national average hourly rate of about $54.83 ($2,083.70 / 38). But the median hourly earnings reported by the ABS are $64, reflecting the actual hours worked.

Comparing to other benchmarks

The all-employees median (including part-time) is about $74,100 a year, so even a teacher on award Level 1 ($75,681) is above that. 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 – far below any teacher award rate. So teaching is a well-paid profession relative to the minimum, but the gap to the full-time average depends on experience and classification.

What would move a teacher's pay above or below the average?

  • Above the average: Being at a higher classification level (Level 4 or 5), working in a state or territory with higher pay scales (like the ACT or Western Australia), having additional responsibilities (head of department, coordinator), or working in a private school that pays above award.
  • Below the average: Being early in your career (Level 1 or 2), working in a state with lower pay scales (like Tasmania), or working part-time (the median for all employees is lower).

For a personalised comparison, you can Place a salary on the line and see how it stacks up against the national full-time average. The Job medians page shows medians for many occupations, including secondary school teachers.

Key sources

  • Median weekly earnings for secondary school teachers: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, via Jobs and Skills Australia.
  • National full-time average: ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026.
  • Award minimum rates: Fair Work Ombudsman, Educational Services (Teachers) Award, effective 1 July 2026.
  • National minimum wage: Fair Work Ombudsman, from 1 July 2026.

Questions

What is the average secondary school teacher salary in Australia?

The most recent data from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) shows the median full-time weekly earnings for secondary school teachers is $2,322. That equates to about $120,744 a year before tax, based on 52 weeks. Note this is a median, not an average, and it applies to full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. The average full-time hours worked per week for secondary school teachers is 45 hours, so the hourly median is $64.

How does the secondary school teacher salary compare to the national average?

The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026), or about $108,352 a year. The secondary school teacher median of $2,322 is about $238 a week higher, placing the typical teacher above the national line. However, the award minimum rates for teachers are lower: under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award, a Level 1 teacher earns $1,455.40 a week ($38.30 an hour), while a Level 5 teacher earns $2,013.70 a week ($52.99 an hour). Early-career teachers on award rates may earn below the national average.

What factors affect a secondary school teacher's salary?

Several factors influence pay. Experience and classification level are key: the award has five levels, with Level 5 paying about $558 a week more than Level 1. State and territory also matter – for example, the ACT full-time average is $119,090, while Tasmania's is $96,008. Sector (government vs private) and location (remote or metropolitan) can also affect earnings. Additionally, many teachers work beyond the standard 38-hour week – the average full-time hours are 45 – which can boost total earnings but may not be reflected in the ordinary-time average used for the national line.

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