Cabinet maker salary: gross pay, super and tax in Australia
What does a cabinet maker earn in Australia? Gross pay, super guarantee, and tax explained using the Salary Index benchmark.
The median full-time cabinet maker salary sits at an index of about 67, well above the national minimum wage but below the all-occupations median.
Cabinet maker salary: what does it mean?
When you search for a cabinet maker salary in Australia, you’re looking at the pay for tradespeople who fabricate, assemble, and install wooden furniture, cabinetry, and fittings. The role is classified under ANZSCO 3941 and covered by the Joinery and Building Trades Award 2020. This article uses the Salary Index to put that pay in perspective: the index compares gross annual earnings to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings line of $108,352 (index 100).
Gross pay: median and award minimums
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for cabinetmakers is $1,400. That annualises to $72,800, giving a Salary Index of about 67.2. That’s well above the national minimum wage index of 48.2 ($52,255) but below the all-occupations median of $96,304 (index 88.9).
The award sets minimum rates. Under the Joinery and Building Trades Award, from 1 July 2026, a Level 1 cabinet maker earns $978.10 per week ($25.74/hr), while a Level 7 (highest classification) earns $1,189.40 per week ($31.30/hr). Most experienced cabinet makers would be classified at Level 4 or above, where the weekly minimum is $1,062.90 ($27.97/hr). These award rates rose 4.75% from 1 July 2026.
It’s important to note that the median $1,400 is a market rate, not an award rate. Many cabinet makers earn above award through enterprise agreements or individual contracts. The pay guides from the [Fair Work Ombudsman provide the official award pay guide for the Joinery and Building Trades Award.
Super guarantee: 12% super from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For the median cabinet maker earning $1,400 per week, that’s $168 per week in super, or $8,736 per year. This is paid on top of gross pay. The maximum contribution base for super guarantee is $270,830 per year, so most cabinet makers will receive the full 12%.
Tax on a cabinet maker salary
Using 2026–27 resident tax rates (excluding Medicare), a cabinet maker earning $72,800 pays:
- $0 on the first $18,200
- $4,020 on the next $26,800 (15%)
- $8,340 on the remaining $27,800 (30%)
- Total income tax: $12,360 (approximate, ignoring offsets)
- Medicare levy 2%: $1,456
- Total tax and Medicare: $13,816
- After-tax income: about $58,984
That’s an effective tax rate of about 19%. If the cabinet maker has a HELP debt, the rate is higher. The take-home figure is a guide only.
How the cabinet maker salary compares across states
The Salary Index also shows state benchmarks. For example, the index for NSW is 101.2 ($109,658 annualised), while Tasmania is 88.6 ($96,008). A cabinet maker earning $72,800 would have a lower index in NSW (66.4) than in Tasmania (75.8) relative to the state average. But actual pay for cabinet makers may vary by location due to demand and cost of living. The states page has more detail.
Industries where cabinet makers work
Most cabinet makers work in manufacturing (manufacturing) and construction. The index for those industries: mining is 154.7, retail trade 75.9, construction (not separately listed but likely around 100). Cabinet makers in manufacturing likely earn around the median $72,800, but some in mining could be higher. The industries page has more.
Final thoughts
The cabinet maker salary in Australia sits at a solid index of 67.2, above the minimum but below the national average. It’s a trade that offers a reliable gross pay, plus 12% super, and a clear tax. For a full picture, use the how the index works to compare any pay figure.
FAQs
topics has more on other trades.
Questions people ask
How much super do cabinet makers get?
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a cabinet maker earning the median $1,400 per week, that’s $168 per week in super contributions, or about $8,736 per year, paid into a complying super fund. The maximum contribution base for super guarantee is $270,830 per year, so most cabinet makers will receive the full 12% on all earnings.
What tax does a cabinet maker pay on $72,800?
Using 2026–27 resident tax rates (excluding Medicare), a cabinet maker earning $72,800 gross pays about $11,467 in income tax plus $1,456 Medicare levy (2%), total $12,923. That leaves around $59,877 after tax and Medicare. This assumes the tax-free threshold and no HELP debt or other offsets. The effective tax rate is about 17.8%.
How does the cabinet maker salary compare to the national average?
The national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark is $108,352 per year (index 100). The median cabinet maker salary of $72,800 gives an index of 67.2. That means cabinet makers earn about two-thirds of the national benchmark. It’s higher than the national minimum wage index of 48.2 but lower than the all-occupations median of $96,304 (index 88.9).