Surveyor salary and the national average
A surveyor salary in Australia can sit well above or below the national full-time average of $108,352 a year ($2,083.70 a week), depending on the award classification, the state or territory, and the employer. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 puts the full-time adult ordinary-time average at $2,083.70 a week. But surveyors are not a single pay group. The Surveying Award 2020, set by Fair Work, defines a ladder of minimum rates from Level 12 (the lowest) to Level 1 (the highest). A graduate surveyor might start near Level 2 or 3, while a licensed or registered surveyor could be at Level 1. The award minimums range from $1,004.90 a week (Level 12) to $1,865.60 a week (Level 1) as of 1 July 2026. That top award rate is still below the national full-time average, but many surveyors earn above the award through enterprise agreements or individual contracts.
Where the median sits
Jobs and Skills Australia reports a median full-time weekly earnings of $2,300 for surveyors and spatial scientists (based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025). That works out to about $119,600 a year, which is above the national full-time average of $108,352. The national full-time median is about $90,532. So the typical surveyor is comfortably above both the national average and the national full-time median. However, that median figure is for full-time, non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, so it excludes the highest-paid managers and the lowest-paid part-timers. It is a guide, not a guaranteed rate.
How the award can move a surveyor salary
The Surveying Award classification structure is tied to definitions that reflect historical percentages from the old Metal Industry Award and Land Surveyors General Award. The percentages have shifted over time because some wage increases were dollar amounts, not percentages. That means two surveyors doing similar work could be at different award levels depending on their employer’s classification. For example, a Level 2 employee (minimum $1,654.40 a week) earns $43.54 an hour, while a Level 1 (minimum $1,865.60 a week) earns $49.09 an hour. The difference is about $211 a week or about $4,600 a year. That is a real gap that can push a surveyor salary off the national line.
State and territory differences
State full-time averages from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 show a wide spread: New South Wales $109,658; Victoria $106,137; Queensland $106,064; South Australia $106,064; Western Australia $115,825; Tasmania $96,008; Northern Territory $103,173; Australian Capital Territory $119,090. A surveyor in the ACT or WA will likely earn more than one in Tasmania or SA, even with the same award level. That is because state averages reflect the mix of industries and employers. Surveyors in mining-heavy states like WA often command higher pay.
Tax and take-home pay
A surveyor earning the median $119,600 a year falls into the 30% tax bracket for 2026–27 (taxable income $45,001 to $135,000). The Medicare levy adds 2%. After tax and levy, take-home pay is roughly $88,000 to $90,000, depending on deductions. A surveyor on the award minimum Level 1 ($97,011 a year) would also be in the 30% bracket. A graduate on Level 2 ($86,029) would be in the 30% bracket as well, but close to the 15% threshold. The tax system does not change the relative position of surveyor salaries against the national average, but it does affect net income.
Using this site
You can place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average. The States and territories page shows how location shifts the line. The Job medians page lists medians for many occupations, including surveyors. The Guides explain how awards and enterprise agreements work. The How the figures are set page details the sources: the ABS for averages, Fair Work for award rates, and the ATO for tax. The About this site page explains the methodology.
Summary
A surveyor salary is not a single number. The median full-time surveyor earns about $119,600 a year, above the national full-time average of $108,352. But award minimums start much lower, and state location can add or subtract thousands. The national line is a useful benchmark, but the real figure depends on the award level, the state, and the employer. Use the tools on this site to see where any salary sits against the line.