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Product Manager Salary in Australia: Gross Pay, Super, and Tax
Understand how a product manager salary compares to national benchmarks, including gross pay, super guarantee, and tax. Based on ABS and Fair Work data.
Product manager salaries are not defined by a single award, but based on the Professional, Scientific and Technical industry index of 114.7, a typical salary might sit well above the national line of 100.
What is a product manager salary?
When Australians ask about a product manager salary, they usually want to know what a person in that role can expect to earn before tax, how superannuation adds to that, and what ends up in their pocket. Unlike trades or retail jobs, product management doesn't have a single award classification. The role sits inside the broad professional category, often in tech, finance, or consulting. To make sense of the figure, we compare it to the national line — the Salary Index where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings.
Gross pay: where product managers sit on the index
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in May 2026 were $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352. That's the benchmark for an index of 100. For context, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 a year — an index of 48.2.
Product managers are typically classified as professionals. The ABS's Employee Earnings and Hours survey (August 2025) found that professionals earned a median hourly rate of $64.50. If we assume a standard 38-hour week, that works out to about $2,451 per week, or $127,452 annually — an index of roughly 118. That's above the national line, but it's a broad average for all professionals, not product managers specifically.
A more targeted benchmark is the Professional, Scientific and Technical industry index, which stands at 114.7. That annualises to about $124,283. Many product managers work in this industry, especially in software and consulting firms. So a typical product manager salary might fall between $110,000 and $140,000, depending on experience and location. But remember: these are gross ordinary-time benchmarks, not a guaranteed figure for any individual.
Super guarantee: the 12% top-up
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a product manager earning $130,000 gross, the employer must contribute $15,600 per year into a super fund. That means the total employment cost is $145,600, but the employee only sees the $130,000 as salary. Super is not part of take-home pay; it's preserved until retirement (with some exceptions).
If you're comparing job offers, always check whether the advertised figure includes super. Some contracts quote total package (including super), others quote base salary. The Salary Index uses gross ordinary-time earnings excluding super, so you can compare apples with apples.
Tax: what you actually take home
Resident tax rates for 2026–27 are progressive. On a $130,000 gross salary, the tax calculation (excluding Medicare) is:
- $0 on first $18,200
- 15% on the next $26,800 ($4,020)
- 30% on the next $90,000 ($27,000)
- 37% on the remaining $5,000 ($1,850) Total tax: $32,870. Plus Medicare levy of 2% ($2,600). Take-home: $94,530. That's about $1,818 per week.
If the product manager salary is $110,000, take-home is roughly $82,000 after tax and Medicare. At $140,000, take-home is about $100,000. These estimates ignore HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge for singles without hospital cover.
State and industry variations
Where you work matters. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest index at 109.9 (annualised $119,090), while Tasmania is lowest at 88.6 ($96,008). A product manager in Canberra might earn 10–15% more than one in Hobart, reflecting the public sector and consulting market.
Industry also shifts the dial. The industries page lists Mining at 154.7 and Retail trade at 75.9. Product managers in mining tech or resources software could earn well above the professional average. Those in retail or hospitality tech might earn closer to the national line.
Awards and agreements
Most product managers are not covered by a modern award because their role doesn't fit neatly into award classifications. The Professional Employees Award 2020 covers some IT and engineering professionals, but it sets minimum rates far below market salaries — for example, a Level 1 professional employee might earn around $1,200 per week. That's a floor, not a target.
If you're employed under an enterprise agreement, your pay may be higher than the award but still below market. The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides list minimum rates for each award, but for product managers, individual contracts are the norm. Always check your contract for overtime, penalty rates, and allowances.
Putting it together
A product manager salary in Australia is not a single number. Based on ABS data and industry benchmarks, a reasonable range for a mid-level role is $110,000 to $140,000 gross, which puts the index between 102 and 129. Senior or lead product managers can exceed $160,000 (index 148+). Entry-level or associate roles might start around $80,000 (index 74).
When you add 12% super, the total employment cost is higher, but your take-home depends on tax brackets and your residency status. Use the Salary Index to compare any pay figure against the national line, and remember that the index is a gross ordinary-time benchmark — it doesn't include super, bonuses, or overtime.
For more detail on how the index is calculated, see how the index works. And if you're comparing offers across states or industries, the states and industries pages give you the local benchmarks.
Questions people ask
How is a product manager salary taxed in Australia?
A product manager salary is taxed as ordinary employment income. For 2026–27, resident tax rates apply: no tax on the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. A 2% Medicare levy is also deducted. For example, on a gross salary of $130,000, the tax (excluding Medicare) would be about $29,467, plus $2,600 Medicare levy, leaving around $97,933 take-home. This ignores HELP repayments or salary sacrifice.
Does super guarantee apply to a product manager salary?
Yes, super guarantee (SG) applies to all employees paid under a contract of service, including product managers. From 1 July 2026, the SG rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a product manager earning $130,000, the employer must contribute $15,600 per year into a super fund. This is on top of the gross salary, so total employment cost is $145,600. Salary sacrifice arrangements can also be made.
What award covers product managers in Australia?
There is no single award titled 'product manager'. Product managers may be covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020 if their role involves professional engineering, scientific, or IT duties. However, many product managers are award-free because they earn above the award threshold or are covered by an enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman's [pay guides](/blog) can help check applicable awards, but individual contracts are common. If no award applies, the national minimum wage and the National Employment Standards set the floor.