Project Manager Salary Australia: What You Can Expect in 2026–27

Understanding the Project Manager Salary Landscape in Australia

If you are searching for a project manager salary australia figure, you are not alone. Project managers are employed across construction, IT, engineering, and professional services, and pay can vary dramatically. The challenge is that no single official statistic pinpoints a median or average for this occupation. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) groups project managers under the broader occupation of Managers, which includes CEOs, general managers, and construction managers. For all Managers, the average weekly total cash earnings in May 2025 was $2,800.90. That annualises to roughly $145,647, giving a Salary Index of 134 – well above the national line of 100.

But that figure is an average for all managers. A project manager in retail or hospitality may earn less, while one in mining or IT may earn more. The ABS also reports industry averages: for example, the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry averages $2,072.40 per week (index 99), while Construction averages $1,960.80 (index 94). However, these include all roles in those industries, not just project managers. The most relevant source, Jobs and Skills Australia, explicitly states that median weekly earnings for Construction Project Managers are not available. So we must be honest: there is no precise public figure for a project manager salary australia.

The Salary Index and How It Works

The Salary Index is a tool to compare any gross annual salary against the national benchmark. The national line is set at 100, which equals $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings). To calculate your index, take your yearly gross pay, divide it by $108,352 and multiply by 100. For example, a project manager earning $130,000 gross gives an index of 120. That means you earn 20% more than the national average. The index helps you see where you sit against the market, but remember it is a benchmark, not a quote for your specific job.

What the Data Says

Using the ABS data, we can build a picture. The occupation of Managers has the highest average weekly earnings among all groups. But for a project manager, your pay is likely to be influenced by your industry. In mining, the average weekly earnings for all employees is $3,208.80 (index 154). In retail, it is $1,493.10 (index 72). So a project manager in mining will earn much more than one in retail. State also matters: Western Australia has an index 106.9, while Tasmania 88.6. So if you are a project manager in WA, you might expect a higher salary than in Tasmania.

If you are a project manager in the public sector or under an enterprise agreement, your pay may be set by a collective agreement. The ABS reports that 34.6% of employees have their pay set by collective agreement. Individual arrangement is 38.5%. Only 22.7% are on award only. So many project managers are likely on individual contracts or agreements.

Awards and Enterprise Agreements

Fair Work Ombudsman explains that construction project managers may be award-free if they are truly managerial. If not, they might fall under the Professional Award (if they have an engineering degree and supervise technical matters), the Clerks Award (if mainly administrative), or the Miscellaneous Award. If you are covered by an award, your minimum pay is set by that award. For example, the Professional Award has classification levels that may pay more than the national minimum wage. The national minimum wage from July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, index 48.2. But a project manager under an award would earn more than that.

Enterprise agreements can also set pay above awards. If you are on an individual contract, your pay is negotiated. The key is to know your award coverage. Check with Fair Work Ombudsman or your employer.

Gross Pay, Super, and Tax Considerations

When you see a project manager salary australia figure, it is usually gross pay before tax and super. Super guarantee is 12% from July 2026, paid on top of your ordinary time earnings. For a $130,000 salary, super is $15,600 per year. That is not included in your take-home pay.

Tax for 2026–27: resident rates (excluding Medicare) are nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. So on $130,000, your tax would be roughly $29,467 plus Medicare $2,600, leaving about $97,933 take-home (ignoring HELP, salary sacrifice, etc.).

If you are on a contract and receive a casual loading, that is additional. The national minimum wage casual loading is 25%, giving $33.05 per hour. But project managers are rarely casual.

State and Industry Variations

Your location matters. The Salary Index for states: NSW 101.2, VIC 98, QLD 97.9, SA 94.6, WA 106.9, TAS 88.6, NT 95.2, ACT 109.9. So a project manager in ACT or WA can expect higher pay than in Tasmania. Industry also: Mining index 154.7, Professional services 114.7, Education 105.5, Health 97.8. If you are a project manager in mining, your salary will be much higher than in health.

To get a better idea of your own position, use the Salary Index to compare your gross pay. You can also explore pay guides for specific awards, or check states and industries for benchmarks.

Remember, the figures here are guides. Your actual salary depends on your experience, qualifications, employer, and negotiation. Always check your award or agreement for minimums. And if you are unsure, consult Fair Work Ombudsman or a professional advisor.

For more topics on Australian pay, visit our topics page.