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Salary Calculator UK: How State and Industry Differences Shape Australian Pay
Compare UK salary calculators with Australia's Salary Index. See how state and industry differences affect pay, from mining in WA to retail in TAS. Use our index to benchmark your
The national line sits at index 100 ($108,352 annual), with state indices ranging from 88.6 in Tasmania to 109.9 in the ACT, and industry indices from 72.5 in accommodation and food services to 154.7 in mining.
What is a salary calculator UK and why does it matter here?
When you search for a "salary calculator UK", you typically find tools that compare pay across British regions and industries. London, for example, often shows a premium over the rest of the country. Australia has a similar story, but our pay differences are shaped by states, territories, and industries in ways that a UK calculator wouldn't capture. That's where the Salary Index comes in. It gives you a single number to compare any Australian pay figure against the national line, so you can see how your earnings stack up wherever you work.
The national line: index 100
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. Annualised, that's $108,352. That figure is our index 100. If your gross ordinary-time earnings equal that, your index is 100. Earn more and your index rises; earn less and it falls. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week, giving an index of 48.2. Award minimums rose 4.75% from the same date, so many entry-level roles sit above the national minimum but still well below the national line.
State differences: from Tasmania to the ACT
Just as a UK salary calculator shows higher pay in London and the South East, Australia's states and territories vary widely. The states page on Salary Index breaks down each region. Here are the indices based on the ABS data:
- ACT: 109.9 (annualised $119,090)
- WA: 106.9 ($115,825)
- NSW: 101.2 ($109,658)
- VIC: 98.0 ($106,137)
- QLD: 97.9 ($106,064)
- NT: 95.2 ($103,173)
- SA: 94.6 ($102,450)
- TAS: 88.6 ($96,008)
The ACT's high index reflects its concentration of public sector and professional services jobs. Western Australia's mining sector pushes its average above the national line. At the other end, Tasmania's index of 88.6 means the typical full-time worker there earns about 11% less than the national average. If you were using a UK-style calculator, you'd see a similar gap between the South East and the North East.
Industry differences: mining versus retail
Industry matters even more than state. The industries page shows the range:
- Mining: 154.7 (annualised $167,658)
- Electricity, gas, water and waste services: 122.2
- Information media and telecommunications: 130.3
- 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 miner in Western Australia earning the industry average would have an index of 154.7, well above the state's already high 106.9. Meanwhile, a retail worker in Tasmania would have an index of 75.9, below the state average of 88.6. That's a difference of more than double. A UK salary calculator might show a similar contrast between a London banker and a hospitality worker in Cornwall.
Putting it together: real examples
Let's say you're a full-time adult working in professional services in Victoria. The state index is 98.0, and the industry index is 114.7. If your personal index is 110, you're above the state average but below the industry average. That tells you your pay is good for Victoria but not yet at the typical level for your profession nationally.
Or consider a health care worker in Queensland. The state index is 97.9, and the health care index is 97.8. If you earn the national line exactly (index 100), you're slightly above both averages. That's a useful benchmark when negotiating or considering a move.
What the index doesn't tell you
The Salary Index uses gross ordinary-time earnings, not total earnings including overtime, bonuses, or superannuation. It also doesn't account for award classifications, enterprise agreements, or individual contracts. Modern awards can set pay above the national minimum wage, and some industries have specific rates. For example, the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award has its own pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman. Always check the relevant award or agreement for your exact minimum.
How to use the index like a UK salary calculator
A UK salary calculator typically asks for your job title, location, and experience. Our index works differently: it's a single benchmark. To use it, find your annual gross ordinary-time earnings (before tax and super). Divide by $108,352 and multiply by 100. That's your index. Then compare it to the state and industry averages on the Salary Index. If you're below the industry average, you might be underpaid relative to peers. If you're above the state average, you're doing well for your region.
Tax and super considerations
Take-home pay depends on tax and super. For 2026–27, resident tax rates (excluding Medicare) are: nil up to $18,200; 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy adds 2%. Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. These figures affect your net pay but not the index, which is gross.
Final thoughts
A "salary calculator UK" gives you regional and industry comparisons for Britain. Australia's Salary Index does the same, but with a single national line. Whether you're in mining in WA or retail in TAS, the index helps you see where you stand. Use it alongside the pay guides from Fair Work Ombudsman to understand your minimum entitlements, and check the how the index works page for more detail.
Questions people ask
What is the Salary Index and how does it work?
The Salary Index is a benchmark that shows where a pay figure sits relative to the national line. The national line is set at 100, which corresponds to the average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week (annualised $108,352) as reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. To calculate your index, divide your yearly gross ordinary-time earnings by $108,352 and multiply by 100. For example, the national minimum wage of $52,255 annual gives an index of 48.2.
How do state differences in Australia compare to regional differences in the UK?
UK salary calculators often highlight the London premium versus other regions. Similarly, Australia has significant state variation. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest index at 109.9, while Tasmania is lowest at 88.6. Western Australia (106.9) and New South Wales (101.2) also sit above the national line, reflecting stronger mining and professional services sectors. Victoria and Queensland are close to the national average, while South Australia and the Northern Territory are below. These differences mirror how UK calculators show higher pay in London and the South East compared to the North.
How can I use the Salary Index to compare my pay?
First, find your annual gross ordinary-time earnings (exclude overtime, bonuses, and super). Divide by $108,352 and multiply by 100. Then compare your index to the state and industry averages. For instance, if you work in retail in Tasmania, the state index is 88.6 and the retail industry index is 75.9. If your personal index is 80, you are above the industry average but below the state average. This helps you see where you stand relative to typical pay in your region and sector.