Structural Engineer Salary: Where It Sits on the Australian Salary Index

What the data says about a structural engineer salary

If you are trying to pin down a structural engineer salary in Australia, you will find that the official statistics are surprisingly quiet. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for the 6-digit ANZSCO occupation 233214 (Structural Engineers) because the sample size is too small for a reliable estimate. That does not mean the role is rare—Jobs and Skills Australia counts about 9,000 structural engineers nationally, with 88% working full-time and an average of 43 hours per week. The median age is 36, and only 13% are women.

So where does that leave someone wanting to know what a structural engineer salary is worth? We can use the Salary Index as a framework. The national line (index 100) is set at $108,352 per year, based on full-time adult ordinary-time earnings from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey (May 2026). Every occupation, industry, and state can be compared against that line.

Industry and state benchmarks

Structural engineers work mainly in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (the largest employer) and Construction. The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry has a salary index of 114.7, which annualises to about $124,300. That is a reasonable starting point for an experienced structural engineer in a consulting firm or government agency. If you work in mining—where the industry index is 154.7—the equivalent would be around $167,600, reflecting the higher pay in resources.

State also matters. The states page shows that Western Australia has an index of 106.9 ($115,825 annualised), while the Australian Capital Territory is 109.9 ($119,090). Victoria and Queensland are close to the national average, and Tasmania is lower at 88.6 ($96,008). A structural engineer in Perth or Canberra might earn 10–15% more than one in Hobart, all else being equal.

Award coverage and minimums

Some structural engineers, especially those working on construction sites, may be covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award. That award sets minimum weekly rates from $1,013.50 (Level 1) up to $1,309.50 (Level 9, which is $34.46 per hour). But these are minimums—professional engineers almost always earn above award. The pay guides from Fair Work Ombudsman list the legal floor, not the market rate.

Many structural engineers are covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020 or an enterprise agreement. Those agreements often pay significantly more than the building award. If you are employed by a large engineering consultancy, your salary is likely negotiated individually or set by a company-wide structure.

Putting it on the index

Given the industry benchmark of 114.7 and the fact that structural engineers are a skilled profession requiring a university degree and often chartered status, a reasonable estimate for a mid-career structural engineer salary is an index around 115–120. That translates to $124,600–$130,000 per year. Entry-level graduates might start around index 60–70 ($65,000–$76,000), while senior engineers or project managers could reach index 140 or higher ($151,000+).

Remember, the index is a comparison tool. If your salary is $130,000, your personal index is 120. You can see how that stacks up against the industries average or other occupations. The index also helps when comparing job offers across states—a $120,000 salary in NSW (index 110.7 relative to state line) might feel different from the same dollar amount in WA (index 103.6 relative to state line).

Tax and super considerations

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on earnings up to $270,830. So on a $130,000 salary, your employer contributes $15,600 to super. That is on top of the salary figure. For tax, the 2026–27 resident rates apply: nil on the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, and so on. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A $130,000 salary would have a take-home of roughly $92,000 after tax and Medicare (excluding HELP or other deductions).

Why the uncertainty?

The lack of a published median for structural engineers is frustrating but common for many specialised occupations. The ABS only releases median weekly earnings for broader groups or for occupations with large enough survey samples. That is why we rely on industry and state indices as proxies. The topics page has more on how to interpret these benchmarks.

If you are negotiating a structural engineer salary, use the industry index as a reality check. If your offer is below index 100, ask why. If it is above 130, you are likely in a high-paying sector or location. And always check whether the role is covered by an award or agreement—that sets your legal minimum.

Bottom line

A structural engineer salary in Australia is not officially pinned down, but the evidence points to a role that sits comfortably above the national average. Using the Salary Index, expect a mid-range index of 115–120, with variation by industry, state, and experience. That is a solid professional income, reflecting the skill and responsibility involved in designing safe structures.