Average Monthly Salary Australia: How State and Industry Shape Your Pay
See how the average monthly salary in Australia varies by state and industry. Use the Salary Index to compare your pay against the national benchmark of $9,029 per month.
The national average monthly full-time ordinary-time earnings is approximately $9,029, which defines the Salary Index baseline of 100.
What Does “Average Monthly Salary Australia” Really Mean?
When you search for “average monthly salary Australia”, you’re probably trying to get a quick sense of what people earn. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) doesn’t publish a direct monthly figure, but it does give us the most reliable weekly data. The national benchmark for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings is $2,083.70 per week, which annualises to $108,352. Divide that by 12 and you get roughly $9,029 per month. That monthly figure is the baseline for the Salary Index – we call it index 100.
But a single national number hides a lot. Your actual monthly pay depends heavily on where you live and what industry you work in. Let’s break it down using the latest ABS data from May 2026.
State-by-State Monthly Differences
The ABS reports average weekly ordinary-time earnings for full-time adults in each state and territory. Here’s how they compare on a monthly basis (annualised ÷ 12):
- ACT – $9,924 per month (index 109.9)
- WA – $9,652 per month (index 106.9)
- NSW – $9,138 per month (index 101.2)
- VIC – $8,845 per month (index 98.0)
- QLD – $8,839 per month (index 97.9)
- NT – $8,598 per month (index 95.2)
- SA – $8,538 per month (index 94.6)
- TAS – $8,001 per month (index 88.6)
If you’re earning $9,500 a month in Western Australia, that’s below the state average of $9,652 but still above the national line. In Tasmania, the same $9,500 would be well above the state average. That’s why it’s useful to check your pay against both the national index and your state’s benchmark.
Industry Monthly Differences
Industry has an even bigger impact. The ABS breaks down earnings by industry, and the spread is enormous:
- Mining – $13,972 per month (index 154.7)
- Information media & telecoms – $11,761 per month (index 130.3)
- Electricity, gas, water & waste – $11,033 per month (index 122.2)
- Professional, scientific & technical – $10,355 per month (index 114.7)
- Financial & insurance – $10,146 per month (index 112.4)
- Education & training – $9,524 per month (index 105.5)
- Public admin & safety – $9,446 per month (index 104.6)
- Health care & social assistance – $8,828 per month (index 97.8)
- Construction – $8,603 per month (index 95.3)
- Manufacturing – $7,987 per month (index 88.5)
- Retail trade – $6,854 per month (index 75.9)
- Accommodation & food services – $6,543 per month (index 72.5)
A retail worker earning $7,000 a month is actually above the industry average, but still well below the national line. A mining worker on $12,000 a month would be below the industry average but far above the national line. The industries page lets you compare your industry’s index.
How to Use the Salary Index
The Salary Index is a simple tool: take your yearly gross salary (before tax and super), divide it by the national line of $108,352, and multiply by 100. That’s your index number. If your index is 120, you earn 20% more than the average full-time adult. If it’s 80, you earn 20% less.
For example:
- A teacher on $95,000 a year: index = 95,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100 = 87.7
- A mining engineer on $160,000: index = 160,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100 = 147.7
You can also compare against your state or industry index to see how you stack up locally. The how the index works page explains the calculation in more detail.
What About Awards, Super, and Tax?
Your monthly take-home pay will be less than the gross figures above. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week – that’s an index of 48.2. Most modern awards pay more than the minimum. Superannuation is 12% on top of your salary (from 1 July 2026), but it’s not part of your take-home pay.
For a resident earning $108,352 in 2026–27, the tax (including 2% Medicare levy) would be roughly $24,700, leaving about $83,650 after tax – or $6,971 per month. Your actual tax depends on your circumstances (HELP, salary sacrifice, etc.).
Putting It All Together
When you search for “average monthly salary Australia”, remember that the national average is just a starting point. Your state and industry can shift that number by 30% or more. Use the Salary Index to see where you sit, and check the pay guides for award rates in your field.
No single number tells the whole story. But with the ABS data and the index, you can make an informed comparison.
Questions people ask
How do I calculate my monthly salary from the ABS weekly figures?
Multiply the weekly figure by 52 to get an annual amount, then divide by 12. For example, the national full-time adult ordinary-time weekly earnings of $2,083.70 gives an annualised $108,352, which is about $9,029 per month.
Why does the average monthly salary differ so much between states?
State differences reflect the mix of industries, occupations, and public vs private sector employment. For instance, the ACT has a high concentration of public administration and professional services, pushing its index to 109.9, while Tasmania’s lower average reflects a different industry mix and lower cost of living.
How does industry affect my monthly salary compared to the national average?
The Salary Index shows industry benchmarks relative to the national line of 100. Mining workers earn about 55% more than the national average (index 154.7), while retail trade workers earn about 24% less (index 75.9). Your actual pay depends on your role, award, and experience.