Seek Salary Calculator: A Take-Home Pay Sketch
The Seek salary calculator is a straightforward online tool that lets you estimate your weekly and hourly take-home pay. You enter your yearly salary before tax, and it returns an after-tax figure based on the current tax brackets and the Medicare levy. It also shows how your pay sits against the national full-time adult ordinary-time average, which is the site's reference line.
How the Calculator Uses the National Average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, multiplied by 52). This figure is published twice a year by the ABS, not every quarter. The Seek salary calculator compares your entered salary to this average and shows the difference. For example, if you earn $120,000, you are about $11,648 above the average. If you earn $90,000, you are about $18,352 below.
It is important to keep the average, median, and minimum wage distinct. The full-time median is about $90,532 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025), meaning half of full-time employees earn less. The all-employees median is about $74,100. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work). Award minimums rose 4.75% from that date.
A Resident Take-Home Sketch Using the Average
For a resident earning the national full-time average of $108,352, the Seek salary calculator would apply the 2026–27 tax rates:
- Nil tax on the first $18,200
- 15% on the next $26,800 ($4,020)
- 30% on the next $90,000 ($27,000) – but only $63,352 falls into this bracket after the first two, so $19,005.60
- Total tax: $23,025.60
- Plus Medicare levy 2%: $2,167.04
- Total deductions: $25,192.64
- Estimated take-home: $83,159.36 per year, about $1,599.22 per week, or $42.08 per hour on a 38-hour week.
These are rough estimates. The calculator may round differently or include the low-income tax offset for lower incomes. The ATO sets the brackets; the Medicare levy is 2% before any reductions.
State and Territory Averages
The Seek salary calculator does not adjust for state averages, but you can compare your salary to your state's full-time average. The on-site figures are:
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
If you live in Western Australia, the state average is above the national average. In Tasmania, it is below. The calculator shows the distance from the national average, not the state average. For a state-specific comparison, you can use the States and territories page.
What the Calculator Does Not Do
The Seek salary calculator is not a login portal or a tax return tool. It does not ask for your name, address, or bank details. It does not search for awards or enterprise agreements. It simply takes a yearly salary and applies the standard tax and Medicare rates. It assumes a 38-hour week and shows weekly and hourly amounts. It does not include superannuation, salary sacrifice, or deductions like union fees. For a more detailed estimate, you may need to consult a tax professional or use the ATO's own calculator.
Using the Calculator to Gauge Your Position
To see where your pay sits, enter your yearly salary before tax. The calculator will show the weekly and hourly figures and the distance from the national full-time average. For instance, if you earn the full-time median of $90,532, you are about $17,820 below the average. If you earn the minimum wage of $52,255, you are about $56,097 below. The distance is shown as a dollar amount and a percentage.
You can also Place a salary on the line to see a visual chart of how salaries are distributed. The line chart draws the national average as a reference point.
How the Figures Are Set
The national average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, which is published twice a year for May and November. The May 2026 figure is used as the site's line. Medians come from the ABS Employee Earnings survey, August 2025. The minimum wage is set by Fair Work and effective from 1 July 2026. Tax rates are from the ATO for 2026–27. For more detail, see How the figures are set.
Frequently Asked Questions
The three FAQs above cover the calculator's operation, tax rates, and comparison to the average. No further FAQ section is needed in the body.
Final Thoughts
The Seek salary calculator is a useful tool for a quick take-home estimate. It uses the same reference points as this site: the national full-time average, the median, and the minimum wage. By entering your salary, you can see how you compare and what you might take home each week. Remember that the average is a benchmark, not a target. Many factors affect your actual pay, including your industry, occupation, and location. For industry-specific medians, see Industry medians. For job-specific medians, see Job medians. And for guides on salary negotiation and tax, see Guides.