Solicitor salary and the national full-time average
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings stood at $2,083.70 in May 2026, according to the Average Weekly Earnings survey. That works out to about $108,352 a year. This is the figure that Average line uses as its benchmark—the line that other salaries are measured against.
For solicitors, the most recent published median full-time weekly earnings are $2,070, from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), reported by. That is about $107,640 a year. So the typical full-time solicitor earns slightly less than the national full-time average. But there are important caveats.
First, the national average is for ordinary time earnings—that is, pay for a standard 38‑hour week, excluding overtime. The solicitor median, on the other hand, is total earnings before tax for full-time non‑managerial employees, and it includes overtime and other additional payments. Solicitors work an average of 46 hours per week full-time, according to the same JSA profile. So the hourly rate for solicitors is lower than the weekly figure suggests when compared with a 38‑hour benchmark.
Second, the national average is a mean, while the solicitor figure is a median. Means can be pulled up by very high earners, especially in large commercial firms. The median gives a better sense of what a typical solicitor earns.
How the national line is set
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey is published twice a year, for May and November. The May 2026 release showed that full-time adult ordinary time earnings rose 3.7% annually to $2,083.70. The site uses that figure multiplied by 52 to give an annual salary of $108,352. This is the line that all occupations and industries are compared against.
For context, the full-time median for all occupations is about $90,532 a year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, or $52,255 a year on a 38‑hour week. Solicitors, with a median of $107,640, sit well above the minimum and above the all-occupations median, but just below the full-time average.
State variation can move the figure
Where a solicitor works matters a lot. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey provides full-time adult ordinary time averages by state. These are not solicitor-specific, but they show the general pattern of earnings across Australia. States and territories can give you a more detailed breakdown.
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090 a year (the highest)
- Western Australia: $115,825
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Tasmania: $96,008
Solicitors in the ACT often work in federal government departments, the public service, or the courts, where pay scales are generous and conditions are stable. In NSW and Victoria, the presence of large commercial law firms in Sydney and Melbourne pushes up average earnings, especially for solicitors in corporate and finance law. In Tasmania and South Australia, the legal market is smaller and more focused on general practice, so earnings tend to be lower.
If you are a solicitor considering a move, or if you are comparing job offers, the state average gives a useful starting point. But remember that within each state, there is wide variation between the top-tier firms, mid-size practices, community legal centres, and government roles.
Award coverage and minimum rates
The Legal Services Award (MA000116) sets minimum pay rates for legal clerical and administrative employees, not for solicitors. However, some solicitors—especially recent graduates or those in smaller firms—may be classified under the award. The award rates from 1 July 2026, published by, range from $1,073.10 per week for a Level 1 legal clerical employee to $1,291.80 per week for a Level 5 employee. These are well below the solicitor median, so most solicitors are above award.
The national minimum wage increased by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, and award rates rose by the same percentage. This sets a floor for all employees, but for solicitors the floor is rarely binding.
Putting it together
A solicitor salary in Australia is typically around the national full-time average, but the exact figure depends on the state, the type of employer, and the solicitor’s experience and specialisation. The median of $2,070 per week is a useful benchmark, but it is not the whole story. Place a salary on the line to see how your own pay compares with the national average, or explore Job medians for other professions.
For more detail on how the figures are collected and what they mean, see How the figures are set.