Train Driver Salary Melbourne: How It Stacks Up
If you are looking at a train driver salary in Melbourne, the most reliable national figure comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia. While there is no Melbourne-specific published average, the national median for train and tram drivers gives a clear benchmark.
National Median for Train and Tram Drivers
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial train and tram drivers is $2,524. That works out to about $131,248 a year before tax (multiplied by 52 weeks). The median hourly earnings are $61 per hour. These figures come from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2023, and are the best available snapshot for the occupation.
How That Compares to the National Full-Time Average
The site's line is the national full-time adult ordinary-time average: $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A train driver's median weekly pay of $2,524 is $440.30 above that average, or about 21% higher. That puts the role well above the typical full-time worker.
Victoria and Melbourne Context
Victoria's full-time adult average weekly ordinary-time earnings are $2,013.70 (about $104,712 a year). Train drivers nationally earn more than that state average. While Melbourne-specific data is not published, the occupation's national median is a strong indicator for the city, given Victoria's large rail network.
Reading the Same Pay as a Year, a Week, and an Hour
The on-site tool lets you see any salary as a yearly figure, a weekly figure (based on a 38-hour week), and an hourly rate. For a train driver earning the national median:
- Yearly: $131,248 (52 weeks × $2,524)
- Weekly: $2,524
- Hourly: $61 (median hourly earnings from the ABS survey)
Note that the tool's weekly calculation uses a 38-hour week, but train drivers average 44 hours per week. The median hourly rate of $61 already accounts for that.
How the Figures Are Set
The national full-time average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, published twice a year (May and November). The occupation median comes from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, published less frequently. The national minimum wage is set by Fair Work and updated each July. For 2026–27, the minimum is $26.44 per hour. Award minimums for rail workers may be higher and are also set by Fair Work.
Tax on a Train Driver Salary
For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates are: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on income up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. A train driver earning $131,248 would fall in the 30% bracket (plus the 2% Medicare levy). The ATO provides a guide for train drivers on income and work-related deductions.
Other Benchmarks
- Full-time median (all occupations): about $90,532 a year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025)
- All-employees median: about $74,100 a year
- Men's full-time average: about $113,412 a year
- Women's full-time average: about $100,594 a year
- National minimum wage: $52,255 a year (38-hour week)
Train drivers earn well above all these benchmarks.
State Full-Time Averages for Comparison
| State/Territory | Full-time average (yearly) |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | $109,658 |
| Victoria | $106,137 |
| Queensland | $106,064 |
| South Australia | $102,458 |
| Western Australia | $115,825 |
| Tasmania | $96,008 |
| Northern Territory | $103,173 |
| Australian Capital Territory | $119,090 |
Where to Next?
Place a salary on the line to see how any role compares. Or browse Job medians for other occupations.
Summary
A train driver salary in Melbourne is not published separately, but the national median of $2,524 per week ($131,248 a year) is a reliable guide. It sits well above the national full-time average and the Victorian state average. The role also offers a strong hourly rate of $61, far above the minimum wage.