Average Sydney salary: how to compare job offers using the national index

What is the average Sydney salary?

When you see a job ad for a role in Sydney, the first question is often: how does this pay compare to the local average? The most reliable answer comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings survey. For May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in New South Wales – which covers Sydney – were $2,108.80 per week. Annualised, that’s about $109,658 before tax. That figure is the closest official proxy for the average Sydney salary for full-time workers.

On the Salary Index, the national line is 100, based on $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 a year). NSW sits at 101.2, meaning the average Sydney full-time worker earns about 1.2% above the national benchmark. That’s a useful starting point when you’re reading a job ad and wondering if the offer is fair.

Average vs median: why both matter

The ABS also publishes a separate survey, Employee Earnings, which gives a median figure. In August 2025, the median weekly earnings for all employees in Sydney was $1,500 – that’s $78,000 a year. The median is lower because it includes part-time and casual workers, and because half of all employees earn less than that amount. The average (mean) is pulled up by higher earners. So when comparing a full-time professional role, the average full-time figure ($109,658) is more relevant than the overall median.

How the salary index helps you compare offers

The how the index works page explains the simple formula: take the annual gross salary from the job ad, divide it by the national benchmark ($108,352), and multiply by 100. That gives you an index number. For example:

• A Sydney offer of $120,000 → index = 120,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100 ≈ 110.7
• A Sydney offer of $100,000 → index = 100,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100 ≈ 92.3

Compare that to Sydney’s index of 101.2. An offer above 101.2 is above the local average; below means it’s under the typical full-time rate. But remember, the index is a benchmark, not a guarantee. Your industry, experience, and award coverage all affect what you should expect.

Reading a job ad: what to look for

When you’re comparing offers, check these details:

Is the salary base or total package?

Many ads quote a base salary, then add superannuation on top. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So a $109,658 base salary would attract about $13,159 in super, making total remuneration around $122,817. Always confirm whether the advertised figure includes super or not.

Award coverage and minimum rates

If the role is covered by a modern award, the minimum hourly rate may be higher than the national minimum wage. Award rates rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026. The national minimum wage itself is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week), with an index of 48.2. Casual roles include a 25% loading, so the minimum casual rate is $33.05 per hour. Junior rates apply for workers under 21 – for example, an 18-year-old gets $18.06 per hour under the national minimum, but awards can set different rates.

Industry matters

The average Sydney salary varies a lot by industry. The industries page shows national indices: Mining is 154.7, Professional services 114.7, Education 105.5, Retail trade 75.9, Accommodation and food services 72.5. A job in Sydney’s financial services sector will likely pay well above the city average, while a retail role may be below it. Use the industry index as a second benchmark.

Comparing offers across cities

If you’re considering a move, the states page gives indices for each state and territory. For example:

• Victoria (Melbourne): index 98.0 ($106,137 annualised)
• Queensland (Brisbane): index 97.9 ($106,064)
• Western Australia (Perth): index 106.9 ($115,825)
• ACT (Canberra): index 109.9 ($119,090)

So a Sydney offer at index 101.2 is lower than the average in Perth or Canberra, but higher than in Melbourne or Brisbane. That can help you decide if a relocation is worthwhile.

Tax and take-home pay

Your take-home pay depends on tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026–27, resident tax rates (excluding Medicare) are:

• $0 – $18,200: nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

Plus a flat 2% Medicare levy. For the average Sydney salary of $109,658, the estimated tax is about $31,020 (from the 30% bracket) plus Medicare $2,193, leaving roughly $76,445 take-home. That’s before any HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or Medicare levy surcharge.

Putting it together

When you read a job ad for a Sydney role, start with the Salary Index. Compare the offered salary to the national line and to Sydney’s index of 101.2. Check whether the role is award-covered, what industry it’s in, and whether super is included. Then use the state and industry indices to see how the offer stacks up. The average Sydney salary is a useful anchor, but your individual circumstances – experience, qualifications, and the specific employer – will ultimately determine what’s a fair offer.

For more detail on award rates and pay guides, see the pay guides section. And if you want to understand the methodology behind the index, visit how the index works.