Account Manager Salary in Australia: Where It Sits on the Salary Index

What is an account manager salary?

An account manager salary in Australia is not a fixed number. The role covers a wide range of industries – from ICT and professional services to retail and wholesale – and pay can vary significantly depending on experience, employer, and location. Because there is no single award classification for 'account manager', published salary data is limited. The most relevant official data comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia for the occupation ICT Account Managers (ANZSCO 225211).

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, there were about 6,600 ICT Account Managers employed in 2021, with 94% working full-time. The median age is 39, and 32% are women. However, the ABS does not publish median weekly earnings for this 6-digit occupation because the data is not reliable enough. That means we cannot point to a single 'typical' account manager salary from official sources.

The salary index and account managers

The Australian salary index, explained in detail on how the index works, sets the national line at 100. This line represents full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Any pay figure can be compared to this benchmark. For example, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, which annualises to $52,255 – an index of 48.2. That means the minimum wage is just under half the national average.

For account managers, the index is a useful tool because it allows you to gauge where a specific salary sits relative to the broader workforce. If you have an offer or a current salary, you can calculate its index by dividing the annual gross figure by $108,352 and multiplying by 100. A salary of $120,000 gives an index of 110.8; $90,000 gives 83.1.

What the data shows

While we lack a precise median for account managers, we can draw hints from related data. ICT Account Managers are concentrated in industries that pay above the national average. The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry has an index of 114.7, meaning the typical full-time worker in that industry earns about 14.7% above the national line. Information Media and Telecommunications (index not separately listed but likely above average) and Wholesale Trade also employ many account managers.

State distribution is also telling. Nearly half of ICT Account Managers work in New South Wales, where the state index is 101.2 (annualised $109,658). Victoria has 27.6% of these workers and an index of 98.0 ($106,137). Queensland, with 12.4%, has an index of 97.9 ($106,064). If you are an account manager in Western Australia, the state index is 106.9 ($115,825), reflecting the mining and resources sector. In the ACT, the index is 109.9 ($119,090). These state indices give a rough guide to how location affects pay.

Awards and enterprise agreements

Account managers are often not covered by a modern award because their role involves sales, client management, and sometimes professional duties. However, some may fall under the Professional Employees Award if they have a relevant degree and perform professional work. Others might be covered by the Clerks – Private Sector Award if their duties are primarily clerical. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for all awards, but you need to check the classification definitions carefully.

Many account managers are employed under enterprise agreements or individual contracts that set pay above the award. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database contains minimum rates for all awards, but these are floors, not typical market rates. For example, the minimum hourly rate for a Level 1 employee under the Clerks Award is around $25.74 (entry-level award floor), but an experienced account manager would earn significantly more.

State and industry variations

Using the salary index, you can see how industry and state affect account manager pay. The industries page shows that Mining has an index of 154.7 – the highest of any industry. An account manager in mining could earn well over $160,000. In contrast, Retail Trade has an index of 75.9, so an account manager in retail might earn around $82,000. Accommodation and Food Services is even lower at 72.5.

State indices also matter. As noted, Western Australia and the ACT have higher indices, while Tasmania (88.6) and South Australia (94.6) are below the national line. An account manager in Sydney (NSW) might earn a different amount than one in Hobart for the same role. The states page provides a breakdown.

Using the index to benchmark

If you are an account manager or hiring one, the salary index helps you answer: Is this pay fair? Start with the national line of 100. Then adjust for your industry and state. For example, an account manager in professional services in NSW might expect an index around 114.7 (industry) plus a small state adjustment. That would suggest a salary around $124,000. But this is a rough guide – actual pay depends on experience, company size, and performance.

Remember that the index uses gross ordinary-time earnings. Take-home pay will be less after tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026–27, a resident earning $120,000 pays about $29,467 in tax (including 2% Medicare) on the first $120,000, leaving around $90,533. Superannuation at 12% (from 1 July 2026) is on top of the salary, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830.

Final thoughts

An account manager salary in Australia is not a single number, but the salary index gives you a reliable framework to compare any figure. Use the data from Jobs and Skills Australia and the Fair Work Ombudsman as starting points, and always check the specific award or agreement that applies to your role. For more on how the index works, visit Salary Index. For pay guides and award rates, see our pay guides page. And to explore how your state or industry compares, check states and industries.