Electrician Salary Australia: State and Industry Differences Explained
Find out how electrician salary Australia compares to national averages, with state and industry breakdowns. See index figures and award rates.
The median electrician salary in Australia sits around 105 on the Salary Index, above the national line, but varies significantly by state and industry.
Electrician salary Australia: where the pay sits and why it varies
If you’re looking into an electrician salary Australia, the headline figure is a median of $2,191 per week for full-time workers, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics via Jobs and Skills Australia. That’s about $113,932 a year before tax. On the Salary Index, where 100 equals the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, electricians land around 105. That’s above the national line, but the number hides a lot of variation by state, industry, and classification.
State differences in electrician pay
Australia’s states don’t pay electricians the same. The states page shows overall earnings indices: Western Australia sits at 106.9, the ACT at 109.9, while Tasmania is at 88.6. Electricians in WA often work in mining, which pushes pay higher. In Tasmania, lower industry demand and a smaller construction sector keep wages closer to award minimums.
Jobs and Skills Australia reports that 29.9% of electricians work in New South Wales, but it doesn’t break down earnings by state. Still, you can get a feel from the industries that dominate each region. In Queensland, for example, the mining and construction sectors are strong, so electricians there likely earn above the national median. In South Australia, where the overall index is 94.6, electrician pay may be closer to the award floor.
Industry matters more than location
Electricians work across several industries, and that’s where the real pay gap shows. The industries page lists Mining at index 154.7 – well above the national line. An electrician on a mine site in WA or Queensland can earn significantly more than one doing residential work in a city. Construction, which employs many electricians, doesn’t have a separate index here, but it’s generally above retail or hospitality.
On the other end, electricians in the electricity, gas, water and waste services sector may earn close to the median, while those in small commercial or domestic work might rely on award rates unless they negotiate higher.
Award rates set the floor
The Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 (MA000025) sets minimum pay for most electricians not covered by an enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the full award, and a pay guide shows weekly rates including allowances. For example, an Electrical Worker Grade 5 (which includes industry, tool, and licence allowances) gets at least $1,223.11 per week, or $32.19 per hour. That’s index 58.7 – well below the median, but it’s the minimum.
Most experienced electricians earn above the award. The median of $2,191 suggests many are on enterprise agreements or market rates that push pay much higher. The award also includes overtime rates: time-and-a-half for the first two hours Monday to Saturday, double time after that, and double time on Sundays and public holidays.
How the index works for electricians
The Salary Index compares gross annual earnings to the national benchmark. For an electrician earning the median $113,932, the index is (113,932 / 108,352) × 100 ≈ 105. That means they earn 5% more than the average full-time adult worker. But if you’re on the award Grade 1 rate ($1,046.31/week, annualised $54,408), the index drops to about 50. That’s why it’s important to look at the whole range.
State indices also affect take-home pay. An electrician in WA earning the median would have an index around 105, but the state index is 106.9, so they’re slightly below the state average. In Tasmania, the same median would be well above the state index of 88.6. How the index works explains the calculation in more detail.
Super and tax considerations
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12%, so an employer must contribute that on top of gross earnings. For the median electrician, that’s an extra $13,672 per year into super. Tax-wise, using 2026–27 rates, a single resident earning $113,932 would pay about $26,467 in tax plus the 2% Medicare levy, leaving around $84,657 take-home. That’s before any HELP repayments or salary sacrifice.
Where to find more
If you’re comparing roles, check the pay guides for award rates, or look at topics for other occupations. The key takeaway: electrician salary Australia is strong, but where you work and what you do matters as much as the trade itself.
Questions people ask
What is the average electrician salary in Australia?
The median full-time weekly earnings for electricians are $2,191, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025). This equates to roughly $113,932 per year before tax, placing electricians above the national average weekly earnings of $2,083.70. On the Salary Index, that’s about 105. However, actual pay varies by state, industry, experience, and whether you work under an award or enterprise agreement.
How does electrician pay differ between states?
State indices show that Western Australia (index 106.9) and the ACT (109.9) have higher overall earnings, while Tasmania (88.6) is lower. Electricians in mining-heavy states like WA often earn more due to industry demand. Jobs and Skills Australia reports that 29.9% of electricians work in New South Wales, but earnings data by state are not published. Award rates are national, but market rates can push pay higher in states with strong construction or resource sectors.
What is the minimum wage for an electrician under the award?
Under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020, minimum weekly rates (including industry and tool allowances) range from $1,046.31 for Grade 1 to $1,478.72 for Grade 10. An electrician with a licence and tools may be classified at Grade 5 or above, earning at least $1,223.11 per week. These rates are from the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide effective July 2026. Many electricians earn above these minimums.