Managing Director Salary: How State and Industry Shape Pay in Australia
Learn about managing director salary in Australia, with a focus on state and industry differences. See how location and sector affect pay using ABS benchmarks.
The median full-time earnings for managing directors are not published due to high standard error, but the broader manager category averages about $2,800 per week, placing the role well above the national index of 100.
Managing Director Salary in Australia: State and Industry Differences
When you look up managing director salary in Australia, the first thing you notice is how little hard data exists for the role itself. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish median weekly earnings for Chief Executives and Managing Directors because the sample is too small and the standard error too high. That does not mean the figure is unknowable—it means we have to use broader benchmarks and understand where the role sits against the national line.
What the data tells us
The ABS groups managing directors under the occupation category "Managers." For all managers (including chief executives, general managers, and managing directors), average weekly total cash earnings were $2,800.90 in May 2025. That works out to about $145,647 a year. Compare that to the national line—full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 annualised)—and the manager index sits around 134.4. That is well above the national minimum wage index of 48.2.
But remember: that $2,800 figure includes part-time managers and lower-level managers. A managing director of a mid-sized company almost certainly earns more. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for Chief Executives and Managing Directors shows 85% work full-time, average 50 hours a week, and the median age is 50. These are senior, experienced people. Their pay is usually set by individual arrangement, not awards or collective agreements.
State differences matter
Where you work affects your pay, even at the top. The salary index benchmarks each state against the national line of 100. For example:
- Australian Capital Territory: 109.9 (annualised $119,090)
- Western Australia: 106.9 ($115,825)
- New South Wales: 101.2 ($109,658)
- Victoria: 98.0 ($106,137)
- Queensland: 97.9 ($106,064)
- South Australia: 94.6 ($102,450)
- Northern Territory: 95.2 ($103,173)
- Tasmania: 88.6 ($96,008)
A managing director in Canberra or Perth faces a higher cost of living but also a higher pay baseline. In Tasmania, the overall pay level is lower, though a managing director there may still earn well above the state index because the role is not tied to award rates.
Industry shapes the range
Industry is probably the biggest factor. The industries page shows how different sectors compare:
- Mining: index 154.7
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services: 114.7
- Education and Training: 105.5
- Health Care and Social Assistance: 97.8
- Retail Trade: 75.9
- Accommodation and Food Services: 72.5
A managing director in mining is likely to earn a multiple of what one in retail earns. The mining index reflects high profits and global demand. Professional services (law, accounting, consulting) also pay well. In retail or hospitality, even the top role sits in a lower-paying environment.
What about super and tax?
Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. That adds to total remuneration. For a managing director on $200,000, super adds $24,000. Tax for residents in 2026–27: nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that. Plus the 2% Medicare levy. Take-home pay depends on whether you use the tax-free threshold and any salary sacrifice arrangements.
How to use the salary index
The Salary Index is a simple tool: take your yearly gross pay, divide by the national line ($108,352), and multiply by 100. If you earn $150,000, your index is 138.5. That tells you where you sit relative to the average full-time adult worker. For a managing director, the index is almost certainly above 130, and often much higher.
Where to find more
For award-covered roles, see the pay guides page. For state comparisons, visit states. For industry breakdowns, go to industries. And if you want to understand the methodology, read how the index works.
The bottom line
Managing director salary in Australia is not a single number. It depends on state, industry, company size, and individual negotiation. The national index gives you a benchmark. Use it to compare offers, set expectations, or understand where your pay sits against the market.
Questions people ask
What is the typical managing director salary in Australia?
There is no single typical figure because managing director pay varies widely by company size, industry, and location. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median earnings for Chief Executives and Managing Directors due to high standard error. However, the broader manager category averages about $2,800 per week ($145,647 annualised), which is well above the national index of 100 ($108,352). Managing directors in large corporations or high-paying industries like mining can earn significantly more.
How does state affect managing director salary?
State pay differences reflect local economic conditions and industry mix. Using the salary index (national line = 100), states with higher overall pay include the Australian Capital Territory (109.9) and Western Australia (106.9). Tasmania (88.6) and South Australia (94.6) are below the national line. A managing director in WA or ACT can expect a higher base than in Tasmania, though company-specific factors matter more.
Which industries pay managing directors the most?
Industries with the highest overall pay indices include Mining (154.7), Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (114.7), and Education and Training (105.5). Managing directors in mining or professional services typically earn well above the national average. In contrast, industries like Retail trade (75.9) and Accommodation and food services (72.5) have lower pay benchmarks, so managing directors in those sectors may earn less, though still above the national minimum.