--- title: "Average salary by occupation in Australia — CheckRate" description: "Managers averaged $145,647 a year while sales workers averaged $45,666 in the latest official data. A complete breakdown of Australian earnings by occupation, i" lang: en-AU json-ld: | { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Average salary by occupation in Australia", "description": "Managers averaged $145,647 a year while sales workers averaged $45,666 in the latest official data. A complete breakdown of Australian earnings by occupation, industry, job type, wage growth and gender.", "image": [ "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1686771416282-3888ddaf249b?q=80&w=871&auto=format&fit=crop&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D" ], "datePublished": "2026-06-17T00:00:00+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-07-02T05:03:48.474514+00:00", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "CheckRate" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "CheckRate" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://checkrate.com.au/salary-by-occupation" } } --- [CheckRate ](/) [Library](/articles) Back Employment # Average salary by occupation in Australia Managers averaged $145,647 a year while sales workers averaged $45,666 in the latest official data. A complete breakdown of Australian earnings by occupation, industry, job type, wage growth and gender. 12 min read 17 June 2026 Updated 02 July 2026 Fact checked In this article 1. [What is the average salary in Australia?](#what-is-the-average-salary-in-australia) 2. [Which occupations earn the highest salaries in Australia?](#which-occupations-earn-the-highest-salaries-in-australia) 3. [Which occupations are the highest and lowest paid in Australia?](#which-occupations-are-the-highest-and-lowest-paid-in-australia) 4. [Which industries have the highest average salaries in Australia?](#which-industries-have-the-highest-average-salaries-in-australia) 5. [How much more do full-time workers earn than part-time workers?](#how-much-more-do-full-time-workers-earn-than-part-time-workers) 6. [Which occupations have seen the fastest wage growth?](#which-occupations-have-seen-the-fastest-wage-growth) 7. [How does the gender pay gap differ by occupation in Australia?](#how-does-the-gender-pay-gap-differ-by-occupation-in-australia) Key figures $106,657 Full-time adult mean annual earnings, based on **$2,051.10 a week** in November 2025. The national full-time benchmark. $74,100 Median annual earnings for all employees in their main job, based on **$1,425 a week** in August 2025. 3.3% Annual wage growth, year to March 2026 (Wage Price Index). Easing from a peak of **4.3%** in late 2023. $165,069 Highest-paid industry annual equivalent. **Mining** averaged $3,174.40/wk in FT ordinary time earnings in November 2025. About the data As of June 2026, there is no official ABS occupation-pay release for 2026. The most recent national earnings benchmark comes from Average Weekly Earnings, November 2025. The most recent occupation-level data comes from Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, and Employee Earnings, August 2025. The next Average Weekly Earnings release, covering May 2026, is scheduled for 19 August 2026. All figures in this article reflect the latest available official data. Section 01 National average ## What is the average salary in Australia? Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were **$2,051.10 a week**, or **$106,657 a year**, in November 2025. This is the main national benchmark for full-time adult earnings. It excludes overtime and is calculated as a mean, which means it can be lifted by higher earners. Median weekly earnings in a main job were lower, at **$1,425 a week**, or **$74,100 a year**, in August 2025. That means the median sits **$32,557 a year below** the full-time adult average. The gap shows how higher earners can pull the mean above the middle of the earnings distribution. The broader all-employees average was **$1,562.40 a week**, or **$81,245 a year**, in November 2025. This figure includes full-time, part-time and casual workers, so it sits below the full-time adult benchmark. Australian earnings benchmarks Key measures of average and median weekly earnings, all employees, latest available official data. Measure Source and period Weekly Annual (est.) **Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings** AWE, Nov 2025, persons, seasonally adjusted $2,051.10 $106,657 Full-time adult average weekly total earnings (incl. overtime) AWE, Nov 2025, persons, original $2,129.00 $110,708 All employees average weekly total earnings AWE, Nov 2025, persons, original $1,562.40 $81,245 Median weekly earnings, main job Employee Earnings, Aug 2025, persons $1,425.00 $74,100 Median hourly earnings, main job Employee Earnings, Aug 2025, persons $42.90/hr — Annual figures are estimates based on weekly earnings multiplied by 52. The table uses two ABS earnings surveys (AWE and Employee Earnings), so the figures should not be read as one single ranking. ![CheckRate](/__l5e/assets-v1/7bc4597d-01a6-41ce-b2ee-e3271c8e8b60/checkrate-logo.png) Mean vs median: why the difference matters The mean and median measure different points in the earnings distribution. The mean ($106,657/yr for full-time adults) is an average drawn upward by high earners. The median ($74,100/yr) is the midpoint: half of workers earn more, half earn less. The ABS publishes both figures, and each reflects a different aspect of the earnings distribution. They are not directly comparable. Section 02 Earnings by occupation group ## Which occupations earn the highest salaries in Australia? Managers averaged **$2,800.90 a week** or **$145,647 a year** in May 2025. This is the highest average earnings figure of any major occupation group. Sales workers averaged **$878.20 a week** or **$45,666 a year**, the lowest. The gap between the two groups was almost **$100,000 a year**. Four of the eight major occupation groups sit above the all-occupation average of **$1,611.10 a week**. These are managers, professionals, technicians and trades workers, and machinery operators and drivers. Clerical and administrative workers, labourers, community and personal service workers, and sales workers are below the average. Professionals are the largest group at **3.18 million employees**, yet they earned **$751.30 a week less** than managers on average. Managers, at 1.27 million employees, are a considerably smaller group. Average earnings by occupation group Average weekly total cash earnings, all employees, May 2025. Dashed line = all-occupation average. - Weekly earnings Bars ranked highest to lowest. Annual equivalents are weekly figures multiplied by 52. **Source:** ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025 (cat. 6306.0). Released 23 January 2026. ![CheckRate](/__l5e/assets-v1/7bc4597d-01a6-41ce-b2ee-e3271c8e8b60/checkrate-logo.png) Section 03 Highest and lowest-paying occupations ## Which occupations are the highest and lowest paid in Australia? At the sub-major occupation level, the gap between the highest and lowest-paid groups is wider. Chief executives, general managers and legislators record the highest median weekly earnings, at **$3,223 a week**, or **$167,596 a year**. Food preparation assistants record the lowest, at **$448 a week**, or **$23,296 a year**. The difference between these two groups is **$2,775 a week**, or more than **$144,000 a year**. All figures in this section are medians: half of workers in each group earn more than the stated amount, and half earn less. ▲ Highest-paying occupations Chief executives, general managers and legislators $3,223/wk · median $167,596 per year Specialist managers $2,310/wk · median $120,120 per year ICT professionals $2,300/wk · median $119,600 per year ▼ Lowest-paying occupations Food preparation assistants $448/wk · median $23,296 per year Hospitality workers $556/wk · median $28,912 per year Sales assistants and salespersons $631/wk · median $32,812 per year Sales support workers $661/wk · median $34,372 per year **Source:** ABS Employee Earnings, Australia, August 2025 (cat. 6310.0). Figures are median weekly earnings in main job; annual equivalents are weekly multiplied by 52. Several of the lowest-paid groups have a high share of part-time or casual workers, which can lower median weekly earnings even where hourly rates are award-regulated. This is most visible in food preparation, hospitality and retail, where shorter shifts and casual work are common. Section 04 Earnings by industry ## Which industries have the highest average salaries in Australia? Industry can shape earnings as much as occupation. Mining workers averaged **$3,174.40 a week** in ordinary time earnings in November 2025, or **$165,069 a year**, more than double the accommodation and food services industry average of **$1,501.60 a week** ($78,083/yr). The gap between the highest and lowest-paying industries was about **$87,000 a year**. The public sector averaged **$2,215.90 a week** on a full-time adult ordinary time basis in November 2025, compared with **$2,006.00 a week** in the private sector. That $209.90 weekly premium equates to about **$10,915 a year**. One limit applies to the industry comparison: the Average Weekly Earnings survey excludes businesses engaged primarily in agriculture, forestry and fishing, so those industries do not appear in the ranking below. Average earnings by industry Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings, persons, November 2025. Dashed line = all-industry average ($2,051.10/wk). Industries ranked by weekly earnings. Agriculture, forestry and fishing are not included because they are excluded from the ABS AWE survey. **Source:** ABS Average Weekly Earnings, Australia, November 2025 (cat. 6302.0). Released February 2026. ![CheckRate](/__l5e/assets-v1/7bc4597d-01a6-41ce-b2ee-e3271c8e8b60/checkrate-logo.png) Section 05 Full-time vs part-time ## How much more do full-time workers earn than part-time workers? Employment type is associated with large differences in weekly earnings. In May 2025, full-time employees averaged **$2,130.60 a week**, while part-time employees averaged **$873.00 a week**. On this measure, full-time weekly earnings were **2.44 times** part-time weekly earnings. That ratio has narrowed slightly since June 2021. In May 2021, full-time earnings were 2.49 times part-time earnings. By May 2025, the ratio was 2.44 times. Around **2.4 million employees** were classified as casual in August 2025, accounting for **19%** of all employees. Casual workers are more likely to work part-time, so their weekly earnings often reflect shorter hours as well as hourly rates. $2,130.60 Full-time average weekly total cash earnings, all employees, May 2025. Annualised: $110,791/yr. $873.00 Part-time average weekly total cash earnings, all employees, May 2025. Annualised: $45,396/yr. 2.44x Ratio of full-time to part-time average weekly earnings in May 2025, down from 2.49x in May 2021. Full-time and part-time earnings trend, 2021 to 2025 Average weekly total cash earnings, all employees, persons. May 2021, May 2023 and May 2025. - Full-time - All employees - Part-time Figures show average weekly total cash earnings for full-time and part-time employees. The EEH survey is published every two years in May; 2022 and 2024 figures are not available from this series. **Source:** ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2021, May 2023 and May 2025 (cat. 6306.0). ![CheckRate](/__l5e/assets-v1/7bc4597d-01a6-41ce-b2ee-e3271c8e8b60/checkrate-logo.png) Section 06 Wage growth by occupation ## Which occupations have seen the fastest wage growth? Labourers recorded the fastest growth in median hourly earnings of any major occupation group between August 2020 and August 2025, rising **21.7%** over the five years, from $26.30 to $32.00 an hour. Clerical and administrative workers rose 21.1%, and community and personal service workers rose 20.6%. At the sub-major level, arts and media professionals recorded the highest average annual growth in median weekly earnings between 2020 and 2025, at **7.9% per annum**. This was the strongest published growth rate for any detailed occupation group over that period. The overall pace of wage growth was **3.3%** in the year to March 2026, as measured by the Wage Price Index. This was the slowest annual rate since 2022 and below the recent peak of 4.3% in late 2023. The three fastest-growing major groups, labourers, clerical and administrative workers, and community and personal service workers, still sit below the all-occupation average weekly earnings of $1,611.10. Total wages and salaries paid by employers reached **$110,560 million** in March 2026, up **6.0%** from the same month a year earlier, according to the Monthly Employee Earnings Indicator. This figure is higher than the 3.3% WPI reading because it captures both wage changes and changes in the size and composition of the workforce. The WPI measures wage movements for a fixed set of jobs only. Wage growth by occupation group, 2020 to 2025 Percentage change in median hourly earnings, August 2020 to August 2025. Ranked by five-year growth. ▲ WPI peak: 4.26%, Q4 2023 ▼ WPI pre-COVID avg: ~2.2% Latest WPI: 3.3%, Q1 2026 Growth rates are calculated from ABS-published median hourly earnings for August 2020 and August 2025. The WPI (3.3% in Q1 2026) measures wage movement for a fixed set of jobs and is not published by occupation group. **Source:** ABS Employee Earnings, Australia, August 2025 (cat. 6310.0). WPI context from Wage Price Index, Australia, March quarter 2026 (cat. 6345.0). ![CheckRate](/__l5e/assets-v1/7bc4597d-01a6-41ce-b2ee-e3271c8e8b60/checkrate-logo.png) Strong growth from a low base does not mean high pay Labourers, clerical and administrative workers, and community and personal service workers recorded the fastest five-year hourly wage growth among the major occupation groups. However, all three still sit below the all-occupation average weekly earnings of $1,611.10 in May 2025. Arts and media professionals had the highest annual growth rate among detailed occupation groups, at 7.9% a year. The ABS does not publish a 2026 occupation-level earnings ranking. The next EEH release, covering May 2027, is expected in early 2028. Section 07 Gender pay gap by occupation ## How does the gender pay gap differ by occupation in Australia? Across all occupations, full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate earned **$2,185.50 a week** for men and **$1,888.70 a week** for women in May 2025. That is a gap of **$296.80 a week**, or roughly **$15,434 a year**. On a male-earnings basis, the overall gap is **13.6%**. The gap varies by occupation group. Community and personal service workers had the widest gap at **23.5%**, followed by technicians and trades workers at **22.9%** and labourers at **21.5%**. The narrowest gaps were in sales workers (8.6%), machinery operators and drivers (9.6%), and clerical and administrative workers (10.8%). The historical picture shows some narrowing. Female full-time median weekly earnings rose from **$800 a week** in 2006 to **$1,631** in 2025, a 103.9% increase. Male full-time median weekly earnings rose from **$950** to **$1,841**, a 93.8% increase. As a result, female earnings as a share of male earnings improved from 84.2% in 2006 to 88.6% in 2025. Gender pay gap by occupation group Average weekly total cash earnings, full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, May 2025. Gap shown as a percentage of male earnings. - Male (FT non-mgr, adult rate) - Female (FT non-mgr, adult rate) This chart uses full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, which the ABS describes as a more homogeneous comparison group. Gap percentage = (male − female) ÷ male earnings. **Source:** ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025 (cat. 6306.0). ![CheckRate](/__l5e/assets-v1/7bc4597d-01a6-41ce-b2ee-e3271c8e8b60/checkrate-logo.png) Female and male full-time median weekly earnings, 2006 to 2025 Median weekly earnings in main job, full-time employees, persons by sex, 2006 to 2025. - Female full-time median - Male full-time median Over 19 years, female full-time median earnings rose 103.9% (from $800 to $1,631/wk) while male earnings rose 93.8% (from $950 to $1,841/wk). Female earnings as a share of male earnings improved from 84.2% in 2006 to 88.6% in 2025. **Source:** ABS Employee Earnings, Australia, August 2025 (cat. 6310.0). Historical series, median weekly earnings by sex and full-time/part-time status. ![CheckRate](/__l5e/assets-v1/7bc4597d-01a6-41ce-b2ee-e3271c8e8b60/checkrate-logo.png) Why is the gender pay gap widest in community and personal service work?+ Community and personal service workers include a mix of occupations with different earnings profiles. These can include lower-paid care roles, such as aged care and childcare workers, and higher-paid roles in protective services. The wide gap in this group may partly reflect the mix of jobs within the category, rather than showing that workers in identical roles are paid differently. Does the overall AWE gender gap differ from the EEH figure?+ Yes. On the full-time adult ordinary time earnings measure used in Average Weekly Earnings, the weekly gap in November 2025 was **$247.20**, with men at $2,147.80 and women at $1,900.60. The EEH figure used in this section is higher, at $296.80 a week, or 13.6%, because it uses a narrower comparison group: full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. This excludes managers and employees not paid at the adult rate. The two measures capture different parts of the workforce and should not be treated as interchangeable. Is the gender pay gap closing?+ On a percentage basis, the gap has narrowed. Female full-time median earnings were 84.2% of male earnings in 2006 and 88.6% in 2025. In dollar terms, however, the weekly gap widened from $150 a week in 2006, or $7,800 a year, to $210 a week in 2025, or $10,920 a year. This is because both male and female median earnings rose over the period, but male earnings started from a higher base. General information only This article is for general informational purposes only. Earnings vary by employer, location, experience, qualifications and role. The figures reflect national ABS survey averages and medians, so individual earnings may differ. CheckRate does not provide financial or career advice. ## References 1. [Australian Bureau of Statistics. Average Weekly Earnings, Australia, November 2025 (cat. 6302.0).](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/earnings-and-working-conditions/average-weekly-earnings-australia/nov-2025) Released February 2026. 2. [Australian Bureau of Statistics. Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025 (cat. 6306.0):](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/earnings-and-working-conditions/employee-earnings-and-hours-australia/may-2025) occupation group earnings, full-time and part-time earnings, and gender pay gap by occupation. 3. [Australian Bureau of Statistics. Employee Earnings, Australia, August 2025 (cat. 6310.0):](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/earnings-and-working-conditions/employee-earnings/aug-2025) sub-major occupation medians, historical gender earnings, and hourly wage growth by occupation. 4. [Australian Bureau of Statistics. Wage Price Index, Australia, March quarter 2026 (cat. 6345.0):](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/price-indexes-and-inflation/wage-price-index-australia/latest-release) headline wage growth and WPI context. 5. [Australian Bureau of Statistics. Monthly Employee Earnings Indicator, March 2026:](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/earnings-and-working-conditions/monthly-employee-earnings-indicator/latest-release) wages and salaries paid by employers in March 2026. Methodology This article draws on five ABS releases. The national earnings benchmark uses Average Weekly Earnings (AWE), November 2025 (cat. 6302.0), which is published twice a year. Occupation-group earnings use Employee Earnings and Hours (EEH), May 2025 (cat. 6306.0), which provides detailed earnings and hours data by occupation, sex, employment status and other employee characteristics. Sub-major occupation medians and the historical gender earnings series use Employee Earnings, August 2025 (cat. 6310.0), published annually. Wage growth uses the Wage Price Index (WPI), March quarter 2026 (cat. 6345.0). Aggregate wages and salaries use the Monthly Employee Earnings Indicator, March 2026. Occupation-group comparisons use figures from the same EEH release to avoid cross-survey mixing. Annual equivalents are weekly figures multiplied by 52 and are arithmetic estimates, not direct survey observations. The AWE survey excludes businesses engaged primarily in agriculture, forestry and fishing. As of June 2026, no official ABS occupation earnings release covers 2026. The next AWE release, covering May 2026, is scheduled for 19 August 2026. ABS defines mean weekly earnings as average gross earnings. Median weekly earnings are the midpoint of the earnings distribution. AWE cash earnings include salary sacrifice, while EEH total cash earnings are gross earnings inclusive of salary sacrifice. These measures are not interchangeable and are identified in each table. ## Data Snapshots ![average earnings by occupation group](https://eznpqfufanyahmlyjhnj.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/article-covers/snapshots/03e517d2-481e-4723-8c56-1d8b1b238848/average-earnings-by-occupation-group-al0n.jpg) Average Earnings by Occupation Group ![average earnings by industry](https://eznpqfufanyahmlyjhnj.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/article-covers/snapshots/03e517d2-481e-4723-8c56-1d8b1b238848/average-earnings-by-industry-9spe.jpg) Average Earnings by Industry ## Related research [ ![Average salary in Australia 2026: wages, median pay and weekly earnings](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1497032628192-86f99bcd76bc) Employment 02 June 2026 · 12 min read ### Average salary in Australia 2026: wages, median pay and weekly earnings The average full-time adult worker earned $106,657 per year based on the latest ABS data, but for most Australians, the more relevant figure is the median: $74,672 per year. 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