Hays Salary Guide 2025: Gross Pay, Super, and Tax Benchmarks

What the Hays Salary Guide 2025 Tells You About Gross Pay

The Hays Salary Guide 2025 is a widely used benchmark for professional salaries in Australia. It lists typical salaries and ranges for hundreds of roles across 26 industries, based on a 38-hour week and exclusive of superannuation. To make sense of these figures, the Salary Index provides a consistent reference: index 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).

For example, the guide shows a Mine Accountant in Perth with a typical salary of $180,000. Dividing by $108,352 gives an index of 166, well above the national line. A Senior Qualified Accountant in Adelaide might have a typical salary of $125,000 (index 115). These comparisons help you see where a role sits relative to the average worker.

How the Guide Handles Superannuation

All Hays salary figures are quoted exclusive of superannuation. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So if a role lists a typical salary of $150,000, the employer must also contribute $18,000 in super, making total remuneration $168,000. When using the pay guides or comparing offers, always add super to get the full package.

Tax Implications from the Guide

Gross pay from the Hays guide is pre-tax. Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates (excluding Medicare):

• Nil tax on the first $18,200
• 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
• 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
• 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
• 45% on income above $190,000 Plus a 2% Medicare levy. For a typical salary of $130,000 (index 120), the tax (including Medicare) would be roughly $30,000, leaving about $100,000 before super. The how the index works page has more detail on calculating take-home pay.

Regional and Industry Variations

The Hays guide breaks down salaries by state and territory. Using the states page, you can see how local earnings compare: NSW index 101.2, VIC 98, WA 106.9, TAS 88.6. A role in Perth may pay 10–15% more than the same role in Hobart, reflecting cost of living and demand. Industry matters too: industries like Mining (index 154.7) pay far above Retail Trade (75.9) or Accommodation and Food Services (72.5). The Hays guide captures these differences in its tables.

Award and Minimum Wage Context

The Fair Work Commission's 2025 Annual Wage Review increased the national minimum wage by 3.5% from July 2025. However, the on-site reference shows a larger 4.75% rise for award minima from July 2026. The current national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($52,255 annual, index 48.2). Most Hays guide roles are well above this, but entry-level positions in some industries may sit near award rates. The guide itself notes that salaries are indicative and do not reflect future award increases.

Using the Guide with the Salary Index

To benchmark any Hays salary, annualise the figure (multiply weekly by 52, or use the provided annual amount) and divide by $108,352. For instance, a typical salary of $90,000 gives an index of 83, below the national line. A salary of $200,000 gives an index of 185. The topics section explores how different roles compare.

Remember: the Hays guide is a snapshot, not a promise. Actual pay depends on experience, negotiation, benefits (like vehicle expenses or study assistance), and location. Always consult a specialist for a complete picture.

Key Takeaways

• The Hays Salary Guide 2025 (FY25/26) provides typical gross salaries exclusive of super.
• Use the Salary Index to see where a figure sits relative to the national average of $108,352.
• Super is 12% from July 2026; tax brackets for 2026–27 apply.
• Regional and industry differences are significant—check states and industries for context.
• The guide is a benchmark, not a guarantee; award and minimum wage changes can shift the floor.