Median Australian Salary: Where It Sits on the Salary Index

What is the median Australian salary?

The median Australian salary is the middle point of all employee earnings – half of workers earn less, half earn more. It’s a more representative measure than the average because it isn’t skewed by a small number of very high incomes. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the median weekly earnings for all employees in their main job was $1,425 in August 2025. That annualises to about $74,100. For full‑time employees only, the median was $1,741 per week ($90,532 a year).

Where does the median sit on the Salary Index?

The Salary Index uses the national line of full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings as its benchmark of 100. That figure is $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). To find where a salary sits on the index, divide the yearly gross by $108,352 and multiply by 100.

• Median all‑employee salary: $74,100 ÷ $108,352 × 100 = index ~68
• Median full‑time salary: $90,532 ÷ $108,352 × 100 = index ~84

So the typical Australian worker earns about 68% of the full‑time adult ordinary‑time benchmark. Even the median full‑time worker earns only 84% of that benchmark. This gap exists because the benchmark is an average (mean) of full‑time adults, which includes many high‑income professionals and managers, while the median reflects the middle of the entire workforce including part‑time and casual roles.

How the median varies by state and industry

Median earnings differ significantly across Australia. The highest median is in the Australian Capital Territory at $1,600 per week (index ~77), followed by the Northern Territory at $1,510 (index ~72) and Western Australia at $1,500 (index ~72). The lowest are Tasmania and South Australia, both at $1,300 per week (index ~62). For a full breakdown of state benchmarks, see our states page.

Industry also plays a big role. The highest median is in Mining at $2,761 per week (index ~133), well above the national line. Electricity, gas, water and waste services and Financial and insurance services both have a median of $2,000 per week (index ~96). At the other end, Accommodation and food services has a median of just $700 per week (index ~34), and Retail trade $900 per week (index ~43). You can explore more on our industries page.

Median vs average: why it matters

The median is often more useful for understanding what a “typical” worker earns. The average (mean) full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings of $2,083.70 per week is higher than the median full‑time earnings of $1,741 because the average includes very high salaries. When you hear “average weekly earnings” in the news, it’s usually the mean. The median gives a clearer picture of the middle of the pack.

For example, if you earn $1,425 per week, you are exactly at the median for all employees. If you earn $1,741 per week, you are at the median for full‑time workers. To see how your own salary compares, you can use the Salary Index.

How the median relates to awards and the minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised $52,255 (index 48.2). That’s well below the median. Most employees are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement that pays more than the minimum. The median is a better benchmark for what workers actually earn, but it still doesn’t capture every situation – for instance, casual workers receive a loading (typically 25%) which can push their weekly pay above the median for their role. For more on how awards set pay, see our pay guides.

Using the median to gauge your position

If you’re comparing job offers or negotiating a raise, knowing the median for your state or industry gives you a solid reference point. For example, a professional in New South Wales earning $1,464 per week is at the state median. A retail worker earning $900 per week is at the industry median. But remember: the median is a snapshot from August 2025, and earnings have been growing. The ABS reported that average weekly ordinary‑time earnings rose 3.7% annually to May 2026, so the current median is likely higher.

For a deeper dive into how the index works, see how the index works. You can also browse topics for more salary comparisons.

Key takeaways

• The median Australian salary for all employees is about $74,100 a year (index ~68).
• For full‑time employees, the median is about $90,532 a year (index ~84).
• The median varies by state (highest in ACT, lowest in Tas/SA) and by industry (highest in Mining, lowest in Accommodation & food).
• The median is a more representative measure than the average for understanding typical pay.
• Use the Salary Index to compare any salary to the national line of $108,352.