Construction worker salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index

What does "construction worker salary" mean?

The phrase "construction worker salary" covers a huge range of roles, from labourers and concreters to electricians, plumbers, and construction managers. The construction industry employs about 1.37 million Australians, according to Jobs and Skills Australia, making up 9.3% of all workers. Pay depends on the specific trade, experience, location, and whether you're on an award, an enterprise agreement, or a contract.

Because the industry is so broad, a single salary figure can be misleading. That's why the Salary Index is useful: it places any pay figure against the national line of 100, which equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (or $2,083.70 per week). This lets you see at a glance whether a construction worker's pay is above or below the typical Australian worker.

Where does it sit on the salary index?

Jobs and Skills Australia reports that the median weekly earnings for full-time construction employees are $1,600. That annualises to $83,200, giving a salary index of about 77. In plain terms, the typical construction worker earns roughly 77% of the national benchmark.

To put that in context:

• The national minimum wage (from 1 July 2026) is $1,004.90 per week, index 48.2.
• The retail trade industry index is 75.9, very close to construction.
• Mining workers have an index of 154.7, more than double the construction median.
• Professional, scientific and technical services sit at 114.7.

So a construction worker on the median is earning above the minimum wage but below many professional roles. However, this is a median – many construction workers, especially in skilled trades or supervisory roles, earn significantly more. For example, construction managers (a top employing occupation in the industry) would typically be on a much higher salary, possibly above the national line.

Award rates and the Building and Construction General On-site Award

The minimum pay for construction workers is set by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020, which covers on-site building, engineering, and civil construction. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the current rates, which increased by 4.75% from 1 July 2026.

Under the award, workers are classified into levels from CW/ECW 1 to CW/ECW 9. The minimum weekly rates (before industry allowance) range from $1,013.50 (Level 1a) to $1,309.50 (Level 9). On top of that, an industry allowance of $67.15 per week is paid for general building and civil construction work, or $53.72 for residential construction.

So a Level 1 construction worker on general building would receive at least $1,080.65 per week, which annualises to $56,194 – an index of about 52. That's just above the national minimum wage index of 48.2. A Level 9 worker (e.g., an advanced tradesperson or supervisor) would get $1,376.65 per week, annual $71,586, index 66.1.

These are minimums. Many construction workers are paid above award through enterprise bargaining or market rates, especially in booming sectors like infrastructure or mining-related construction. The median of $1,600 suggests that a large portion of workers earn well above the award floor.

State differences

Where you work matters. The salary index varies by state, reflecting different industry mixes and cost of living. Western Australia has an index of 106.9, partly due to its strong mining and resources construction sector. The ACT is even higher at 109.9, driven by government and infrastructure projects. In contrast, Tasmania's index is 88.6, and South Australia's is 94.6.

A construction worker in WA might earn a premium over the national median, while someone in TAS might earn less. The states page on Salary Index breaks down these differences.

Super and tax considerations

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of your salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So a construction worker earning the median $83,200 would have an additional $9,984 paid into super each year.

For tax, the 2026–27 resident rates (excluding Medicare) are:

• $0–$18,200: nil
• $18,201–$45,000: 15%
• $45,001–$135,000: 30%
• $135,001–$190,000: 37%
• Above $190,000: 45%

Plus a 2% Medicare levy. For a median earner on $83,200, the estimated take-home pay (after tax and Medicare, assuming no HELP or other deductions) would be roughly $64,000 per year, or about $1,230 per week. That's a useful figure for budgeting, but remember that actual deductions vary.

How to use the salary index for construction roles

If you're comparing a job offer or planning a career move, the how the index works page explains the calculation. You can also explore industries to see how construction compares with other sectors. For specific pay guides, the pay guides section has more detail on award classifications.

The key takeaway: a typical construction worker salary sits below the national average but above the minimum wage. Skilled trades and experienced workers can push well above the line, especially in high-demand regions. Always check the relevant award or agreement for your exact classification.