Median Full Time Salary Australia: Gross Pay, Super, and Tax Explained

What is the median full-time salary in Australia?

When people ask about the median full time salary australia, they usually want a realistic midpoint – not the average, which can be skewed by very high incomes. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides this figure in its Employee Earnings and Hours survey. For May 2025, the median weekly total cash earnings for full-time employees was $1,887. That works out to $98,124 a year (before tax).

To put that in perspective, the ABS also publishes a national benchmark: full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, annualised to $108,352. We call that the national line, or index 100. The median full-time salary sits at an index of 90.6 – about nine and a half points below the line. That gap makes sense because the median is a midpoint, while the average includes more people on higher pay.

Men working full time had a median of $1,994 per week ($103,688 a year), women $1,758 ($91,416). The difference reflects industry mix, hours, and career stage, not just pay rates.

Gross pay: what the median includes

The median figure is gross total cash earnings – your pay before tax, including overtime, bonuses, and commissions. It does not include superannuation. So if you earn exactly the median, your employer pays you $98,124 a year in cash. That’s your gross salary.

But remember: the median is a statistical snapshot, not a job offer. Your actual pay depends on your award, enterprise agreement, or individual contract. For example, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week (index 48.2). Many modern awards set higher minimums. The median is well above those floors.

Superannuation on top

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary-time earnings. Your employer pays this on top of your gross salary. For someone on the median full-time salary, that’s an extra $11,775 a year in super contributions. Your total remuneration package would be around $109,899, but the super part is locked away until retirement.

Super is not included in the median earnings figure because it’s not cash you can spend today. When comparing salaries, always check whether a quoted figure is ‘base plus super’ or ‘including super’. The ABS median is base cash only.

Tax on the median full-time salary

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates (excluding HELP, Medicare levy surcharge, or salary sacrifice), here’s how the tax works on $98,124:

• First $18,200: nil
• Next $26,800 (up to $45,000): 15% = $4,020
• Remaining $53,124 (up to $135,000): 30% = $15,937.20
• Total income tax: $19,957.20
• Medicare levy (2%): $1,962.48
• Total tax and Medicare: $21,919.68
• Take-home pay: $76,204.32 per year, or about $1,465 per week

This is a rough guide. If you have a HELP debt, you’ll pay an extra 1% to 10% of your income. The Medicare levy surcharge applies if you don’t have private hospital cover and earn over $93,000 (singles). And salary sacrificing into super can reduce your taxable income.

How the median compares across states and industries

The national median is a useful starting point, but where you live and what you do matters a lot. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey gives state and industry benchmarks (ordinary-time, not median). For example:

• ACT has the highest index at 109.9 ($119,090 annualised)
• Tasmania the lowest at 88.6 ($96,008)
• Mining leads industries at index 154.7
• Retail trade sits at 75.9, and Accommodation and food services at 72.5

You can explore more on our states and industries pages. The median full-time salary in your state or industry will likely differ from the national figure.

Using the median as a benchmark

The median full time salary australia gives you a realistic yardstick. If you earn above $98,124 a year, you’re in the top half of full-time workers. If you earn below, you’re in the bottom half. It’s more useful than the average for most people because it’s not distorted by a few very high salaries.

To see how your own pay compares, you can use our Salary Index. Just enter your annual gross salary, and we’ll show you where you sit against the national line. For example, $98,124 gives an index of 90.6. If you earn $130,000, your index is 120.0.

Remember that your gross pay is only part of the picture. Super adds 12% on top, and tax takes a slice. Understanding all three – gross, super, and tax – helps you make better career and financial decisions.

For more on how pay is set, check our pay guides and how the index works.