How the national average sets the line
The Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes the national full-time adult ordinary-time average earnings twice a year. In May 2026, that figure was $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year when multiplied by 52. This is the line that this site uses to show where any salary sits relative to the typical full-time worker.
It is important to distinguish this average from the median. The ABS reports that the median weekly earnings for all employees (including part-time) were $1,436 in August 2025, or about $74,100 per year. For full-time employees the median was higher, but the ABS does not publish a separate full-time median in that release. The national average is pulled upward by high earners, so most full-time workers earn less than the $108,352 line.
Where a UX designer might sit
The ABS does not publish a specific salary for UX designers. The occupation is too narrow for the standard classification system used in the Average Weekly Earnings and Employee Earnings surveys. However, UX designers are typically classified as Professionals, and the ABS reports that the median hourly earnings for all Professionals were $64.50 in August 2025. At 38 hours a week, that median works out to about $127,000 per year – above the national full-time average. But this is a broad median for all professionals, including doctors, lawyers, and engineers. UX designers at the start of their career or in smaller markets may earn less, while senior designers in tech hubs can earn significantly more.
Another reference point is the Fair Work Modern Awards Pay Database, which sets minimum rates for award-covered employees. UX designers may be covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020 if their role involves design, research, or analysis. The database shows classification minimums that rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026. However, most UX designers are likely on individual contracts, and the ABS reports that 38.5% of employees have their pay set by individual arrangement, with only 34.6% under collective agreements.
Why state matters
The national average hides large differences between states. The on-site notes give the full-time adult ordinary-time averages for each state and territory:
- 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
A UX designer working in the ACT or Western Australia is likely to be closer to or above the national line, while one in Tasmania may be below it. These differences reflect the mix of industries and the cost of living in each state. For example, the ACT has a high concentration of public sector and professional services, which pushes up average earnings. Western Australia’s mining and resources sector also lifts the overall average, though that may not directly affect UX designer pay unless the designer works in that industry.
States and territories provides a deeper breakdown of how location affects pay.
Why award coverage matters
Even within the same state, the legal framework for setting pay can move a salary off the national line. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums are higher for many classifications. For example, a Level 1 employee under the Professional Employees Award 2020 might have a minimum weekly rate above the national minimum wage, but still below the national average.
UX designers who are covered by an award are entitled to at least the minimum rate for their classification, plus penalty rates for overtime, weekends, or public holidays. Those on individual contracts may negotiate above the award, but they lose the safety net of award conditions. The ABS data shows that the public sector has higher average earnings ($2,263.10 per week for full-time ordinary time) than the private sector ($2,034.10), partly because public sector roles are more likely to be covered by collective agreements with set pay scales.
How the figures are set explains the different methods of pay setting and how they affect the averages.
Putting it together
If you are a UX designer earning a specific salary, you can compare it to the national line of $108,352. But remember that the line is an average, not a target. Your pay may be influenced by your state, your industry, whether you are covered by an award, and your level of experience. The ABS does not provide a single figure for UX designers, so the best approach is to use the available benchmarks – the national average, the professional median, and the state averages – to see where your salary fits.
For a more tailored comparison, Job medians and Industry medians offer additional context, though they do not include UX designer specifically. The Guides section also has articles on how to interpret salary data and negotiate based on market rates.