Site supervisor salary: hourly, weekly, and yearly rates
If you work as a site supervisor in the building and construction industry, your minimum pay is set by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. This award covers roles like forepersons and supervisors in metal and engineering construction. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the official pay guide, and the award itself lists classification levels with minimum weekly and hourly rates.
Hourly rate for a site supervisor
Under the award, a site supervisor at Level 8 (CW/ECW 8) has a minimum hourly rate of $33.86. This is the ordinary hourly rate for a full-time employee working 38 hours per week. For a Level 9 classification, the rate is $34.46 per hour. These rates include the industry allowance but not any additional all-purpose allowances that may apply. The award also specifies higher rates for overtime, Saturday work, and public holidays.
Weekly rate for a site supervisor
The minimum weekly pay for a Level 8 site supervisor is $1,286.70. This is based on a 38-hour week, with ordinary hours worked between 7 am and 6 pm Monday to Friday. The award allows for rostered days off (RDOs) averaged over a four-week cycle. For a Level 9 supervisor, the weekly minimum is $1,309.50. These figures are before tax and any deductions.
Yearly rate for a site supervisor
Multiplying the weekly rate by 52 gives an annual salary of about $66,908 for Level 8 and $68,094 for Level 9. This is the minimum a site supervisor can earn under the award. Many employers pay above the award, especially for experienced supervisors or those on larger projects. Actual salaries can be significantly higher, depending on the employer, location, and scope of responsibilities.
Comparison with national averages
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the site's line. A site supervisor on the award minimum of $1,286.70 per week earns about 62% of that average. The full-time median is about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). 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 38 hours. Award minimums rose by 4.75% in the latest adjustment.
State comparisons
Full-time average earnings vary by state and territory. For example, the average in New South Wales is about $109,658 per year, in Victoria about $106,137, in Queensland about $106,064, in South Australia about $102,450, in Western Australia about $115,825, in Tasmania about $96,008, in the Northern Territory about $103,173, and in the Australian Capital Territory about $119,090. A site supervisor earning the award minimum would be below the state average in every jurisdiction. However, site supervisors in high-cost areas like Sydney or Perth may command higher wages.
Tax considerations
For the 2026–27 income year, a site supervisor earning $66,908 falls into the 30% marginal tax bracket. The tax-free threshold is $18,200. Income from $18,201 to $45,000 is taxed at 15%, and from $45,001 to $135,000 at 30%. The Medicare levy of 2% applies on taxable income above a certain threshold. Your employer withholds tax from each pay based on these rates. Using the site's Place a salary on the line tool, you can see your take-home pay after tax.
How the figures are set
The award rates are determined by the Fair Work Commission after annual wage reviews. The ABS collects earnings data through its survey of employers. The national average and median figures come from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings and Employee Earnings releases. For more detail on how these numbers are calculated, see How the figures are set.
What this means for you
If you are a site supervisor, your minimum pay is protected by the award. But your actual salary may be higher, especially if you have experience or work in a specialised sector. Use the site's tools to compare your salary against the national average, state averages, and industry medians. You can also check States and territories to see how pay varies across Australia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage for a site supervisor under the award? The Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 sets minimum rates for site supervisors. For a foreperson/supervisor in metal and engineering construction (supervising 3 or more non-tradespersons), the minimum hourly rate is $33.86 (Level 8), weekly $1,286.70, and yearly about $66,908 on a 38-hour week. Higher classifications like Level 9 pay $34.46 per hour.
How does the site supervisor salary compare to the national full-time average? The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A site supervisor on the award minimum of $1,286.70 per week earns about 62% of that average. Actual salaries for experienced site supervisors are often higher, reflecting skills and responsibilities.
What are the tax implications for a site supervisor earning the award minimum? For the 2026–27 income year, a site supervisor earning about $66,908 falls into the 30% marginal tax bracket (above $45,000). After the tax-free threshold of $18,200, they pay 15% on the next $26,800 and 30% on the remainder. The Medicare levy of 2% also applies. Tax withheld by the employer is based on these rates.