Concreter Salary: Where It Sits on the Australian Salary Index

What is a concreter salary?

A concreter salary in Australia sits comfortably above the national average. Based on the latest data from Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for concreters are $2,209. That works out to about $114,868 per year before tax. On the Salary Index, where 100 is the national line of $108,352, concreters score 106 – six points above the benchmark.

But that median hides a wide range. The award minimums set by the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Building and Construction General On-site Award start at $26.67 per hour for a Level 1 entry-level concreter (CW/ECW 1 level a). At the top of the award, Level 9 pays $34.46 per hour. Most experienced concreters earn well above these floors through overtime, piecework, or enterprise agreements.

How the salary index works

The Salary Index compares a job’s annual gross earnings to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. For concreters: $114,868 ÷ $108,352 × 100 = 106. That means a typical concreter earns 6% more than the average worker across all occupations. For context, the national minimum wage sits at index 48.2, while professional services (114.7) and mining (154.7) are higher.

Award rates vs market rates

The award is the legal minimum. As of 1 July 2026, the Building and Construction General On-site Award includes these hourly rates for concreters:

• Level 1 (CW/ECW 1 level a): $26.67
• Level 1 (level d): $28.05
• Level 2: $28.62
• Level 3 (bricklayer, caster, fixer): $32.64
• Level 9: $34.46

Plus a weekly industry allowance of $67.15 for general building and construction. But the median of $2,209 per week is far above the award Level 9 weekly rate of $1,309.50. Why? Because many concreters work overtime (average 45 hours per week), and some are on piece rates or project bonuses. The award also provides for casual loading (25%) and penalty rates for weekend work.

Where concreters work

Almost all concreters work in Construction – that industry has a salary index of about 97.8 (slightly below the national line), but concreters themselves earn more than the industry average. State indices give a rough guide to regional pay differences: Western Australia (index 106.9) and the ACT (109.9) tend to pay more, while Tasmania (88.6) and South Australia (94.6) are lower. Concreters in remote or fly-in-fly-out roles may earn even more.

Super and tax

Employers must pay superannuation at 12% from 1 July 2026. On $114,868, that’s an extra $13,784 into your super fund. For tax, a resident concreter earning the median would pay roughly:

• $0 on the first $18,200
• 15% on the next $26,800 ($4,020)
• 30% on the next $90,000 ($27,000)
• Plus 2% Medicare levy

Estimated take-home pay: about $83,000 per year (excluding HELP or other deductions).

How to use this information

If you’re hiring or negotiating, check the pay guides for the latest award rates. The industries page shows how construction compares to other sectors. And remember, the salary index is a benchmark – your actual concreter salary depends on your skills, location, and the project.

What the data doesn’t tell you

The median figure from Jobs and Skills Australia is for full-time non-managerial employees only. It excludes part-time workers, apprentices, and those on very high or low pay. Award rates are minimums – many concreters earn more through enterprise agreements or by working for larger contractors. Always check your specific award classification or employment contract.

FAQs

What is the typical concreter salary in Australia?

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for concreters are $2,209, which annualises to about $114,868 before tax. This is above the national all-occupations median of $1,852 per week. However, award minimums start much lower – for example, a Level 1 concreter under the Building and Construction General On-site Award earns a minimum of $26.67 per hour (about $1,013 per week) plus an industry allowance.

How does the concreter salary compare to the national average?

Using the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year, the concreter median of $114,868 gives an index of 106. That means concreters earn about 6% above the national line. By comparison, the national minimum wage sits at index 48.2, and industries like mining (154.7) are much higher, while retail trade (75.9) is lower.

What factors affect a concreter's pay?

Pay varies by experience, location, and type of work. Concreters in Western Australia or the ACT often earn more due to higher state indices. Overtime (common at 45 hours per week) and specialised skills like decorative concrete or formwork can boost earnings. Enterprise agreements or union-negotiated rates may also exceed award minimums. Casual workers receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate.