What a CEO salary in Australia really looks like in 2026
Understand how CEO salary compares to the national line. We look at ABS data, ASX200 pay reports, and what to consider when reading a job ad.
CEO pay varies widely; the median for full-time non-managerial employees is not published, but ASX100 median realised pay is $4.15 million, far above the national index of 100 ($108,352).
What a CEO salary really means when you see it in a job ad
When you come across a job ad for a Chief Executive Officer, the salary figure can look enormous – or surprisingly modest. The keyword 'CEO salary' covers a huge range, from a few hundred thousand dollars to tens of millions. To make sense of an offer, you need to know where it sits against the national line.
The national line and the salary index
The Salary Index sets 100 as the benchmark for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. As of May 2026, that line is $108,352 per year ($2,083.70 per week). A CEO salary of $300,000 would have an index of 277. A typical ASX100 CEO on $4.15 million would have an index of about 3,830.
What the data says about CEO pay
The Australian Bureau of Statistics collects earnings data for all occupations, but for Chief Executives and Managing Directors the median full-time earnings are not published. The standard error is too high – meaning the sample is too small and variable to give a reliable number. That alone tells you how spread out CEO pay is.
The most comprehensive public survey of CEO pay in large companies comes from the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors. Their 2025 report covers FY24 data for ASX200 companies. Key findings:
- Median realised pay for ASX100 CEOs: $4.15 million (55 times the average worker's earnings).
- Median realised pay for ASX101-200: $2.17 million.
- The highest paid Australian-based CEO in the sample was Victor Herrero of Lovisa, with $39.55 million.
- Bonuses are nearly universal: only 5 of 142 eligible CEOs got zero bonus.
CEO salary outside the ASX200
Most CEOs do not run a top-200 company. Private businesses, government agencies, not-for-profits, and smaller firms pay less. A typical CEO base salary might be $250,000 to $500,000, plus super and a bonus. The pay guides for senior executives often show a range rather than a single figure.
Reading a CEO job ad
When you see a CEO salary in an ad, ask:
- Is it base salary or total package? Total package includes super (12% from 1 July 2026), car allowance, and sometimes bonuses.
- Is there a bonus target? Many ads say 'up to 30% bonus' – but the ACSI data shows median bonus payout is 66% of maximum.
- What industry? CEO pay varies by sector. Mining has an index of 154.7, while retail trade is 75.9. Use the industries page to compare.
- What state? The states page shows indexes from 88.6 in Tasmania to 109.9 in the ACT.
The role of super and tax
Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, capped at $270,830 contribution base. For a CEO on $500,000, the employer must pay super on the first $270,830 only – about $32,500. The rest is salary or bonus.
Tax rates for 2026-27: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, 37% above $190,000. Plus Medicare levy 2%. A CEO on $500,000 would pay about $157,000 in tax plus Medicare. Take-home is about $343,000.
Why the index matters
The how the index works uses gross ordinary-time earnings, not total remuneration. That means a CEO package with a large equity component will have a much higher index than the national line. But it gives you a consistent way to compare across jobs.
Caveats to keep in mind
- CEO salary data is highly skewed. A single high earner can pull up the average.
- The ABS does not publish median for CEOs because the standard error.
- The ACSI report covers only ASX200 companies.
- Job ads may not include all components.
When you are comparing two CEO offers, use the Salary Index to see where each figure sits against the national line. That is the most honest way to compare apples with apples.
Questions people ask
What is the average CEO salary in Australia?
There is no single figure for 'average CEO salary' because the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median full-time earnings for Chief Executives and Managing Directors due to high variability. For ASX100 companies, the median realised pay (including bonuses and vested equity) was $4.15 million in FY24, according to the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors. For smaller ASX101-200 companies, the median was $2.17 million. Many CEOs outside the ASX200 earn less, often in the range of $200,000 to $500,000 base plus incentives.
How does CEO salary compare to the national line?
The national line (index 100) is $108,352 per year, based on full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. A CEO earning $4.15 million would have an index of about 3,830 – nearly 38 times the national line. Even a CEO on $300,000 base would have an index around 277. The index helps you see how far above or below the typical full-time worker a pay figure sits. For more on how the index works, see [how the index works](/method).
What should I look for in a CEO job ad?
CEO job ads often quote a 'total remuneration package' that includes superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026), bonuses, and sometimes equity. Check whether the figure is base salary only or total package. Compare it to the national line using the [Salary Index](/). Also consider the industry – for example, mining has an index of 154.7, while retail trade is 75.9. Use [industries](/industries) to see typical pay levels. Remember that bonuses are not guaranteed; the ACSI report shows most CEOs receive a bonus, but the amount can vary.