A guide to the average salary in Australia
Understanding the average annual salary in Australia for different professions is important for anyone entering the job market, contemplating a career shift, or preparing for salary negotiations.
For job seekers, knowing the average salary in various fields helps when considering offers, understanding your market worth, and negotiating effectively during salary discussions. Employers use these figures to set competitive compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.
Several factors influence average salary figures, making each industry and role unique. For instance, salaries are typically higher in metropolitan areas compared to rural regions, reflecting the higher cost of living. Your experience and educational background can also shape your earning potential.
Here’s your guide to the average salary in Australia in different industries and the factors that influence these figures.
What is the average income in Australia?
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the average weekly earnings for full-time adults was $1,888.80 in November 2023, which equates to an annual salary of approximately $98,000. This is gross earnings, which means before tax is deducated.
How is average income calculated?
The average income in Australia is the total sum of all salaries divided by the number of salaries, following the standard way that averages are calculated. Calculating average salaries involves:
- Gathering data from numerous sources, including employer surveys, payroll data, and employment records
- Adjusting to consider full-time, part-time and seasonal employment
- Ensuring an accurate depiction of industry-specific earnings
While these numbers are informative, they come with limitations. One major problem with averages is that they can be skewed by extremely high or extremely low salaries, which gives a distorted view of the typical income. For example, a few high earners in a particular field can lift the average salary, suggesting a higher income level than most workers in that field actually receive.
What’s the difference between average, gross and median salary?
When discussing salaries, terms like average, gross and median are often used interchangeably. However, they refer to different concepts that are important when working out your salary expectations.
- Average salary. As mentioned earlier, the average salary by profession is calculated by dividing the total sum of all salaries by the number of salaries. This method can be influenced by outliers. For instance, in an industry where most employees earn around $50,000 but a few top executives earn $500,000, the ‘typical’ salary will appear artificially high.
- Median salary: The median salary is the middle value/salary in a series of salaries, which divides the income distribution into two equal halves. This means that half of the people earn less than the median and the other half earn more. For example, if you have five salaries: $30,000, $45,000, $60,000, $75,000, and $90,000, the median salary would be $60,000 as it’s right in the middle. This is a more accurate picture of a typical salary.
- Gross salary: Gross salary refers to the total income earned by an employee before any deductions like taxes, superannuation and other withholdings. For instance, if an employee’s gross salary is $70,000 per year, this is the amount before any deductions are subtracted.
Things that can impact the average wage in Australia
Average salary ranges in Australia provide a useful idea of earnings that you can use when changing jobs, starting a new career, or negotiating salaries. However, it’s important to delve deeper into specific sectors and regional data to get a more accurate and meaningful picture of what you can expect.
Average salary in Australia by education
As you might expect, those with higher education qualifications tend to earn more than those with lower levels of education. This shows what an important investment education is when it comes to your career and earning potential. For example, someone with a master's degree or a PhD is likely to access opportunities in fields that offer higher salaries due to the specialised nature of their skills and less competition for such roles.
According to the ABS, the median weekly earnings in Australia by educational qualification includes:
- Postgraduate qualifications: $1,893 per week
- Graduate diploma/certificate: $1,726 per week
- Bachelor degree: $1,578 per week
- Certificate III/IV: $1,342 per week
- Advanced diploma: $1,300 per week
- Certificate I/II/other: $1,174 per week
- No post-school qualifications: $988 per week
Education also shows potential employers your ability to perform complex tasks, adapt to various job demands, and commit to personal and professional development. Whether it’s vocational training certificates or advanced university degrees, each level of education unlocks new salary brackets and career opportunities.
Work experience
Work experience can also influence your salary, as it’s a clear indication of your industry knowledge across different stages:
- 1–3 years of experience: at this early career stage, you are generally considered entry level. Salaries are usually at the lower end of the scale as you are still learning and gaining the necessary skills.
- 4–7 years of experience: during this period, you begin to enter mid-level positions, having a solid foundation in your field. Salaries increase as you take on more responsibilities and demonstrate your ability to work independently or lead smaller teams.
- 8–10 years of experience: with this level of experience you are often seen as a seasoned professional capable of handling complex projects or holding senior management roles.
- 10+ years of experience: at this advanced stage, you are generally well-established in your career. Salary increases continue but may plateau.
Average salary in Australia for corporate jobs
Corporate jobs are generally associated with stable salaries that are influenced by factors such as the size of the company, the industry sector, and the location of the office. Here’s a look at average full-time salary in Australia when it comes to different corporate career paths.
Accountant
An accountant is responsible for managing financial records, analysing financial data and ensuring compliance with legal requirements. They handle tasks such as auditing accounts, preparing tax returns and advising on financial strategies.
You typically need a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. Additional certifications, such as a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Accountant (CA), are highly regarded and often required for advanced roles or specialised accounting fields.
The average salary for an accountant in Australia ranges from $70,000 to $90,000 per year.
Financial accountant
A financial accountant specialises in managing and reporting a company’s financial data. This role involves preparing financial statements, conducting month-end and year-end closings, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards.
Qualifications typically include a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, while certifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Accountant (CA) are highly valued.
The average salary for a financial accountant in Australia ranges from $95,000 to $110,000 per year.
HR manager
A human resources manager, oversees all aspects of human resources practices and processes. This includes hiring new employees, onboarding people, managing paperwork, implementing benefits packages, performance management, employee relations and more. Qualifications for an HR manager typically include a bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field.
Average salary for an HR manager in Australia ranges from $115,000 to $135,000 per year.
Sales manager
A sales manager is responsible for directing and overseeing an organisation’s sales teams, focusing on expanding the company’s customer base and achieving sales targets. This role involves strategic planning, setting sales goals, analysing data, and developing training programs for sales representatives.
Qualifications for a sales manager typically include a bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing or a related field. Professional experience in sales is also essential. Additional qualifications, such as a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) or certifications in sales management, can help.
The average salary for a sales manager in Australia: ranges from $105,000 to $125,000 annually.
Marketing manager
A marketing manager is tasked with developing, implementing and executing strategic marketing plans to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Their duties include overseeing marketing campaigns, managing budgets, and analysing the success of their strategies.
To qualify for a role as a marketing manager, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business or a related field. A master’s degree in digital marketing would be beneficial, though it’s more important to be up to date with digital trends and social media savvy. Experience in marketing roles is crucial, with a progression from hands-on marketing positions to roles involving strategic oversight.
The average salary for a marketing manager in Australia ranges from $100,000 to $120,000 annually.
Banking officer
A banking officer handles day-to-day banking activities, customer service and loan processing, etc. in compliance with banking regulations. They may specialise in areas such as loans, mortgages, investments, or customer relations.
It’s not necessary to have a degree to get an entry-level role at a bank branch or in back-office operations. For a customer-facing role, it’s more important to have retail experience than formal education. However, if you want to progress to a more senior position down the track, you may find a tertiary qualification helpful. Established banks typically invest in employee training, which is often all you need to be promoted.
The average salary for banking officers in Australia ranges from $65,000 to $75,000 per year.
Risk manager
A risk manager is responsible for identifying, analysing and reducing risks that could impact an organisation’s profitability, reputation, safety and success. Risk managers also oversee compliance with regulations, manage insurance policies, and work closely with other departments.
Qualifications for a risk manager include a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business administration, or a related field. Advanced qualifications such as a master’s degree in risk management or relevant certifications are highly valued.
The average salary for a risk manager in Australia ranges from $135,000 to $150,000 per year.
Supply chain manager
A supply chain manager oversees the entire lifecycle of a product, from procurement and manufacturing to distribution and delivery. This role involves planning, implementing, and optimising the supply chain.
Qualifications for a supply chain manager include a bachelor’s degree in business, logistics, supply chain management, or a related field. Additional qualifications such as a master’s degree in supply chain management or logistics are also highly regarded.
The average salary for a supply chain manager in Australia ranges from $120,000 to $140,000 per year.
Average rates in Australia for popular casual roles
Casual roles in Australia offer plenty of flexibility, and come with varying pay scales that depend largely on the specific sector and role requirements. Unlike permanent positions, most casual jobs don’t provide benefits such as paid leave and job security, but they do offer a higher Australian average pay rate to compensate. Generally, casual roles are paid at an hourly rate where the minimum wage is determined by an industry award.
Front-of-house staff
Front-of-house staff are the customer-facing people in hospitality environments such as restaurants, hotels, and cafés. Their primary role is to serve guests: greeting them, taking reservations and food orders, managing seating arrangements and ensuring that service standards are met.
Typically, formal education isn’t required, however key skills for front-of-house roles include strong communication skills, a personable demeanour, and the ability to work well under pressure.
The average salary for front-of-house staff in Australia about $60,000 per year or about $35 per hour.
Barista
A barista is a skilled service professional who specialises in making and serving coffee and other drinks. Working mainly in coffee shops, cafés, and sometimes restaurants and bars, baristas are responsible for operating coffee machines, understanding the nuances of coffee brewing, creating menus and customising drinks.
While formal education is not required to become a barista, specialised training and knowledge in coffee preparation is essential. Many baristas gain their skills through on-the-job training or by attending courses that cover coffee-making techniques, milk texturing, coffee bean types, and machine maintenance.
The average rate for baristas in Australia is $25 per hour.
Supermarket assistant
A supermarket assistant plays an important role in the day-to-day operations of a grocery store. Their responsibilities include stocking shelves, maintaining product displays, assisting customers with their queries, checking inventory and sometimes handling cashier duties.
There are no formal education requirements to become a supermarket assistant, making it an accessible entry-level position. Essential skills for the role include good communication, basic numeracy for handling transactions, and physical stamina for tasks like stocking and lifting.
The average rate for supermarket assistants in Australia is $22 per hour.
Event coordinator
An event coordinator is responsible for planning, organising and managing parties and other functions. This includes everything from corporate conferences and business seminars to weddings and charity galas. Event coordinators are project managers, coordinating all the elements: venue selection, catering, entertainment, safety, equipment and guests. They also ensure that events run smoothly and according to plan, dealing with any issues that may arise.
Typically, event coordinators have a diploma or bachelor’s degree in event management, hospitality management, marketing or a related field. Practical experience, often gained through internships or volunteering at events, is highly valuable.
The average rate for event coordinators in Australia is $28 per hour
Knowing average salaries in your line of work is essential when it comes to planning a career path. There are many factors that impact how much you should earn, like how long you’ve worked in the industry, your qualifications and achievements, where you live and the demand for your skills. You can use SEEK’s salary filter to search for jobs by salary, even if an employer chooses not to show the salary range on the job ad. It’ll help you save time and energy by finding and applying for jobs that are the right fit for you.
FAQs
What is the average salary in Australia?
The average salary in Australia is about $98,000 per year and the median salary around $65,000. Average salaries vary significantly across different industries, locations and levels of experience.
Is $7,000 per month a good salary in Australia?
Yes, $7,000 a month is considered a good salary in Australia and is close to the national average.
Is $3,500 a month a good salary in Australia?
A salary of $3,500 a month, while below the national average, might still be a reasonable amount depending on your location and lifestyle. In cities with a lower cost of living, this could be sufficient, but in major cities it may not be enough to cover expenses and savings comfortably.
What is the difference between average salary and median salary?
While they may seem the same, there is a big difference between these terms:
- The average salary is calculated by dividing the sum of all salaries by the total number of salaries.
- The median salary is the middle value when all salaries are listed from lowest to highest. This is a more accurate idea of ‘typical’ earnings than the average.
How much does age affect average salary?
Age can have a significant impact on average salary. Younger workers usually earn less due to having less experience, while middle-aged employees tend to earn more due to reaching career milestones.
Does a degree always guarantee a higher average salary?
A degree doesn’t always guarantee a higher average salary, but it generally opens opportunities for higher-paying jobs and career advancement.
At what point in my career can I expect my salary to plateau?
Salary growth tends to plateau for most professionals in their late 40s to early 50s. At this stage, individuals often reach senior positions where salary increases are less frequent and more dependent on changes in role, responsibilities, or company performance rather than years of experience.
