How the Seek Salary Checker Measures Up
The Seek Salary Checker is a straightforward tool that places your annual salary against a single benchmark: the national full-time adult ordinary-time average. That figure comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, which recorded $2,083.70 per week. Multiplied by 52 weeks, that works out to about $108,352 a year before tax. The tool uses a standard 38-hour week to convert your yearly figure into weekly and hourly rates, then tells you how far above or below the line you sit.
The National Full-Time Average
The ABS publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year, for May and November. The May 2026 release showed that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings (seasonally adjusted) rose 3.7% annually to $2,083.70. That is the number the Seek Salary Checker treats as the centre of the line. It is an average, not a median, so it can be pulled up by high earners. For a clearer picture of what a typical full-time worker earns, the ABS also publishes medians.
Medians vs Averages
In August 2025, the ABS Employee Earnings survey found that the median weekly earnings for all employees in their main job was $1,425, or about $74,100 a year. For full-time employees, the median was $1,741 a week, roughly $90,532 a year. The median is lower than the average because the average is influenced by higher incomes. The Seek Salary Checker uses the average, but it is helpful to know both numbers when judging where your pay sits. If your salary is around the median, you are earning more than half of all full-time workers, even if you are below the average.
Minimum Wage and Award Rates
Fair Work sets the national minimum wage, which from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% at the same time. The Seek Salary Checker does not compare against the minimum wage directly, but it is a useful reference point: anyone earning below the minimum wage is likely underpaid. The checker will show a large negative distance from the average for minimum-wage workers.
State and Territory Variations
Full-time average weekly earnings vary noticeably across Australia. The on-site notes from the ABS May 2026 release show the following annualised figures (based on $2,083.70 national average and state breakdowns):
- New South Wales: about $109,658
- Victoria: about $106,137
- Queensland: about $106,064
- South Australia: about $102,450
- Western Australia: about $115,825
- Tasmania: about $96,008
- Northern Territory: about $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090
If you live in the ACT or Western Australia, your local average is higher than the national figure, so the Seek Salary Checker’s national benchmark may understate how you compare locally. For a state-level view, see our States and territories page.
Occupation and Industry Medians
The ABS also provides median earnings by occupation. In August 2025, Managers had a median of $2,072 per week ($107,744 a year) and Professionals $1,900 ($98,800 a year). Sales workers ($742 per week) and Labourers ($940 per week) were much lower. The Seek Salary Checker uses the overall full-time average, not occupation-specific figures. For a more tailored comparison, visit Job medians or Industry medians.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
Once you have your salary figure, the ATO’s 2026–27 tax rates apply. The tax-free threshold is $18,200. Above that, you pay 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy adds 2% (with possible reductions for low incomes). The Seek Salary Checker shows your gross salary relative to the average, not your after-tax income, but understanding the tax brackets helps you estimate what you keep.
How the Figures Are Set
The ABS collects data through employer surveys. The Average Weekly Earnings series measures ordinary time earnings for full-time adults, excluding overtime. The Employee Earnings survey captures a broader range including part-time and casual workers. Both are published with a lag – the May 2026 data came out in August 2026. The Seek Salary Checker updates when new ABS releases arrive. For more detail on methodology, see How the figures are set.
Using the Checker
To use the Seek Salary Checker, simply enter your annual salary before tax. The tool instantly calculates your weekly and hourly pay based on a 38-hour week, then shows the dollar and percentage difference from the national full-time average. A positive number means you are above the line; a negative number means you are below. The result is a quick sense of where you stand in the national earnings distribution. For a deeper dive into what your salary means, explore our Guides or learn more About this site.
Limitations
The checker is a single benchmark. It does not account for your industry, occupation, location, experience, or hours worked. It uses the average, not the median, so it may feel high if you are in a lower-paid field. It also does not include superannuation, bonuses, or non-salary benefits. Use it as a starting point, then cross-reference with state averages, occupation medians, and award rates for a fuller picture.
Final Thoughts
The Seek Salary Checker gives you a clear, immediate answer to the question “How does my pay compare to the national full-time average?” Backed by the ABS’s most recent data, it is a reliable reference for anyone curious about their earnings position. Whether you are negotiating a raise, considering a move, or just checking the market, the line is drawn at $108,352 a year. See where you fall.