Average Salary in Australia (2026)
The average full-time salary in Australia in 2026 is estimated at around $95,000–$100,000 per year, with the median income closer to $76,000–$80,000. The mean is pushed up by high earners — the median is the more useful number for most people.
Actual salaries vary significantly by industry, location, and experience. A software engineer in Sydney earns very differently from a teacher in regional Queensland — both are "average" in different contexts. Use the salary hub to compare examples, tax outcomes, and broader benchmarks.
What do most Australians earn?
The distribution of Australian salaries is wide — and skewed. The top 10% pull the average (mean) well above what most people actually earn. Here's what the spread looks like for full-time workers. If you want to compare a real income level against these ranges, start with a specific salary example from the salary in Australia hub.
These are gross (before-tax) annual figures for full-time employees. Part-time workers earn proportionally less.
Is $X a good salary in Australia?
"Good" is relative — it depends on your city, family size, and lifestyle. But as a rough guide: earning above the median ($78k) puts you in the top half. Above $100k puts you in roughly the top 30% of full-time earners. Above $150k is genuinely high income by any Australian benchmark. For a broader framework, see our what is a good salary guide.
What does the average salary look like after tax?
Australia's progressive tax system means your take-home pay is meaningfully less than your gross salary. At $78,000, you're in the 32.5% marginal tax bracket — but your effective rate (total tax ÷ gross income) is much lower, around 22–24%. Our Australian tax guide explains why the effective rate is always below the top marginal rate you see on the table.
| Gross salary | Income tax | Medicare | Take-home | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $10,708 | $1,200 | $48,092 | 18.2% |
| $75,000 | $15,322 | $1,500 | $58,178 | 22.4% |
| $80,000 | $16,258 | $1,600 | $62,142 | 22.3% |
| $95,000 | $21,017 | $1,900 | $72,083 | 24.1% |
| $100,000 | $22,108 | $2,000 | $75,892 | 24.1% |
| $120,000 | $29,358 | $2,400 | $88,242 | 26.5% |
Average salary by state
Mining and energy-heavy Western Australia and the ACT (driven by public service salaries) consistently top the rankings. Victoria and NSW sit near the national average, while South Australia and Tasmania tend to trail. Use our salary by state comparison if you want the fuller benchmark breakdown.
Average salary by industry
Industry is the biggest driver of salary variation in Australia. A software engineer in the same city as a childcare worker earns 2–3× more. Here's where the major industries sit. For a deeper benchmark set, use our salary by industry comparison.
| Industry | Median salary | Range (25th–75th) |
|---|---|---|
| Technology / Software | $115,000 | $85k – $155k |
| Finance & Banking | $110,000 | $75k – $160k |
| Engineering | $105,000 | $80k – $140k |
| Mining & Resources | $110,000 | $85k – $145k |
| Legal | $100,000 | $65k – $180k |
| Healthcare (clinical) | $95,000 | $70k – $130k |
| Construction trades | $90,000 | $70k – $115k |
| Marketing & Comms | $85,000 | $60k – $120k |
| Education | $80,000 | $65k – $100k |
| Retail & Hospitality | $55,000 | $45k – $70k |
How far does the average salary go?
Gross salary is only half the picture. After tax, rent absorbs a huge share of take-home pay in major cities. Here's what a $78,000 salary (roughly median) leaves after rent in each city. If you want to test your own numbers against spending, use the living expenses calculator.
$78k gross → ~$59,500 after tax. Median 1-bed apartment rent × 12 subtracted. Remaining covers food, transport, savings, and lifestyle costs.
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