Where does your pay sit against the national full-time average?
If you've ever typed "what's my salary" into a search engine, you're probably trying to work out whether your pay is fair, competitive, or just enough to get by. The most useful benchmark for full-time workers in Australia is the national full-time average, published twice a year by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in its Average Weekly Earnings release. The latest figures, for May 2026, put the full-time adult ordinary-time average at $2,083.70 a week. That works out to about $108,352 a year (multiply by 52 weeks).
This figure is the centre line on this site. When you place a salary on the line, you'll see exactly how your yearly pay compares. The tool uses a standard 38-hour week to calculate your weekly and hourly equivalents, then shows the distance from the national average.
The source: ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026
The ABS collects data from employers across all industries and sectors. The May 2026 release shows that full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings rose 3.7% over the year. The seasonally adjusted figure for persons is $2,083.70. For men it's $2,181.00 a week (about $113,412 a year) and for women it's $1,934.50 a week (about $100,594 a year). These are averages, not medians, so they can be pulled up by very high earners.
Medians give a different picture
The ABS also publishes medians in its Employee Earnings and Hours survey, most recently for August 2025. The full-time median weekly earnings were $1,887.00, which annualises to about $90,532. That means half of all full-time employees earn less than that, and half earn more. The median for all employees (including part-time) was $1,436.00 a week, or about $74,100 a year. Medians are often a better reflection of what a typical worker earns, because they aren't skewed by extreme salaries.
The minimum wage and award rates
Fair Work sets the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, it's $26.44 an hour, which gives a weekly rate of $1,004.90 on a 38-hour week, or about $52,255 a year. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from the same date. If you're paid under an award or enterprise agreement, your minimum might be higher than the national minimum wage. The ABS data shows that individual arrangements (38.5% of employees) and collective agreements (34.6%) are the most common ways pay is set.
State and territory averages
Your location matters. The ABS publishes full-time adult ordinary-time earnings for each state and territory. The national average of $108,352 hides big differences:
- 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
These are annualised from the state figures in the ABS release. If you live in the ACT or WA, you're likely earning above the national average; in Tasmania or SA, you're likely below. You can explore states and territories in more detail.
How your occupation and industry affect the comparison
Your job title and industry also play a huge role. The ABS Employee Earnings survey for August 2025 gives average hourly earnings by occupation: Managers ($69.20), Professionals ($64.50), Technicians and Trades Workers ($46.50), Community and Personal Service Workers ($41.20), Clerical and Administrative Workers ($42.90), Sales Workers ($33.40), Machinery Operators and Drivers ($42.90), and Labourers ($35.40). The all-occupations average was $47.90 an hour. For industry, Mining had the highest average hourly earnings at $74.10. You can browse job medians and industry medians to see where your role fits.
Tax and take-home pay
Your salary before tax isn't what you take home. For 2026–27, the resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy adds 2%, though some people qualify for reductions. If you earn the national average of $108,352, your marginal rate is 30% plus Medicare, but your effective rate is lower. The tool on this site shows your salary before tax; you can use the ATO's tax calculator for an after-tax estimate.
Putting it all together
So, what's my salary? The answer depends on which benchmark you use. If you're full-time and earning around $108,352, you're exactly on the national average. If you earn $90,532, you're at the full-time median. If you earn $52,255, you're at the minimum wage. The line on this site uses the full-time average as its centre, so you can see at a glance whether you're above, below, or right on it.
Remember that averages can be misleading. A high earner in mining or management pulls the average up, so many full-time workers earn less than the average. The median is often a fairer comparison. And your personal circumstances—location, industry, experience, and bargaining power—all affect what you can expect.
For a deeper dive into how the figures are set, see how the figures are set. If you want to learn more about using this site, check the guides or read about this site.
Frequently asked questions
Is the national average the same as a living wage? No. The national average is a statistical measure of what people actually earn, not what is needed to live. The minimum wage is a legal floor. The living wage is a different concept, not officially defined in Australia.
How often is the average updated? The ABS publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year: for May (released in August) and for November (released in February). The Employee Earnings and Hours survey is published annually. This site updates when new data comes out.
Can I compare my part-time salary? Yes. The tool accepts any yearly salary. It calculates your weekly and hourly pay on a 38-hour week, then shows the distance from the full-time average. Part-time workers can still see how their hourly rate compares.