Architecture salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index

Architecture salary on the Australian salary index

When people ask about an architecture salary in Australia, they usually want to know what a typical architect earns and how that compares to other jobs. The simplest way to answer that is with the Salary Index, which sets the national line at 100 – that’s the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Any figure above 100 means above-average pay; below 100 means below.

For architecture, the picture has two layers: the legal minimum set by the Architects Award, and the actual median earnings reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Award minimums: the floor for architecture salary

The Architects Award 2020 (MA000079) from the Fair Work Ombudsman covers employees who are registered architects or graduates of architecture. From 1 July 2026, the minimum annual rates are:

• Level 1 – Graduate of Architecture: Entry $68,191 (index 63), 1st pay point $71,798 (index 66), 2nd pay point $75,401 (index 70).
• Level 2(a) – Experienced Graduate of Architecture: $78,838 (index 73).
• Level 2(b) – Registered Architect: Entry $78,838 (index 73), 1st pay point $81,276 (index 75), 2nd pay point $83,716 (index 77).

These are the minimums. The award also sets casual loading (25%) and overtime rates. The Association of Consulting Architects publishes a pay guide confirming these figures. Note that the award applies to all states and territories, but some enterprise agreements may override it.

Median earnings: the real architecture salary

Award rates are only the starting point. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (via Jobs and Skills Australia) reports median full-time weekly earnings for Architects and Landscape Architects at $2,308 (May 2025). Annualised, that’s $120,016 – an index of 111. That means the typical architect earns about 11% more than the national average.

Median hourly earnings are $61, compared to $47 for all occupations. Architects also work slightly longer hours: 44 per week on average, with 78% working full-time.

Where does that $120,016 sit against other benchmarks? It’s well above the national minimum wage of $52,255 (index 48.2) and above the professional, scientific and technical services industry average of $124,285 (index 114.7). See the industries page for more comparisons.

State and territory differences

Architecture salary varies by location. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest index at 109.9 (annual $119,090), followed by WA at 106.9 ($115,825). Tasmania is lowest at 88.6 ($96,008). Since many architects work in New South Wales (36.2% of the workforce), the NSW index of 101.2 ($109,658) is a useful reference.

Take-home pay estimate

On a median architecture salary of $120,016, a resident employee using the tax-free threshold would pay roughly:

• Tax: $18,217 (using 2026–27 rates: nil to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $120,000)
• Medicare levy (2%): $2,400
• Total deductions: $20,617
• Take-home: about $99,399 per year, or $1,912 per week.

This ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge. Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, so the employer would contribute an additional $14,402 on top of the salary.

How the index works

The Salary Index is your yearly gross ordinary-time earnings divided by the national line ($108,352) times 100. For example, a graduate on $68,191 has an index of 63. A registered architect on $83,716 has an index of 77. The median architect at $120,016 has an index of 111. Learn more on the how the index works page.

Summary

Architecture salary in Australia ranges from award minimums around $68,000 (index 63) to a median of $120,000 (index 111). Most experienced architects earn above the national average, reflecting the skilled professional nature of the work. For the latest award rates, check the Fair Work Ombudsman. For broader pay comparisons, explore topics on the Salary Index.