45 per hour annual salary: where it sits against the national benchmark

What does a 45 per hour annual salary mean?

When you see a rate like $45 per hour, the natural question is what that adds up to over a year. For a full-time employee in Australia, the standard working week is 38 hours. Multiply 38 hours by 52 weeks, and you get 1,976 hours per year. At $45 per hour, that gives an annual salary of $88,920 before tax and super.

This figure is useful for comparing against the national benchmark. The Salary Index uses a line of 100, which represents full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, that line is $108,352 per year (May 2026 data). So a $45 per hour annual salary sits at about 82 on the index – below the national average but still a solid wage.

Awards versus the national minimum wage

The writing angle here is how $45 per hour relates to awards and the minimum wage. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 per year (index 48.2). That means $45 per hour is well above the legal floor. But many employees are covered by modern awards, which set minimum pay rates for specific industries and roles.

For example, the Retail trade industry has an index of 75.9, meaning average earnings are about $82,200 per year. A $45 per hour salary ($88,920) is above that average. In Accommodation and food services (index 72.5, around $78,600), $45 per hour is also above the typical pay. However, in Professional, scientific and technical services (index 114.7, about $124,300), $45 per hour is below the industry average.

Award rates vary widely. The entry-level award floor is $25.74 per hour, but many classifications go higher. For instance, a qualified tradesperson under the Manufacturing Award might earn around $30–$35 per hour, while a senior engineer under the Professional Employees Award could be $50–$60 per hour. So $45 per hour could be above some awards and below others. Always check the specific award for your role.

Casual loading and super

If you are a casual employee, you get a 25% loading on top of the minimum rate. The casual minimum is $33.05 per hour, so $45 per hour is still above that. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%, meaning your employer must contribute an extra 12% of your ordinary time earnings into super. On $88,920, that’s $10,670.40 per year, bringing total remuneration to about $99,590.

Tax considerations

For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates (excluding Medicare) are: nil up to $18,200; 15% 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. On $88,920, the tax (excluding Medicare) is approximately $19,867, plus a 2% Medicare levy ($1,778), leaving a take-home of about $67,275. This ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge.

How does $45 per hour compare across states?

State indexes show where pay tends to be higher or lower. For example, Western Australia has an index of 106.9 ($115,825 annualised), while Tasmania is 88.6 ($96,008). A $45 per hour salary ($88,920) is below the average in WA but close to the average in Tasmania. In New South Wales (index 101.2, $109,658), $45 per hour is below the state average. This doesn’t mean you can’t earn $45 per hour in those states – it just reflects the overall market.

Using the salary index

The how the index works page explains that the index is a simple ratio: your yearly gross divided by the national line, times 100. For $45 per hour, that’s 88,920 / 108,352 × 100 = 82.1. This puts it between the national minimum (48.2) and the national average (100). It’s a useful way to see where your pay sits relative to the broader workforce.

Key takeaways

• A $45 per hour annual salary is about $88,920 for a 38-hour week.
• It is well above the national minimum wage and most award minimums.
• It is below the national average earnings and below many professional industry averages.
• Always check your specific award or agreement, as rates can differ.
• Use the pay guides on this site to compare your role against industry benchmarks.

Remember, the figures here are estimates based on standard hours. Your actual pay may vary depending on your employer, hours, and conditions. For precise information, refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman or your registered agreement.