Electrical Engineering Salary: Gross Pay, Super, and Tax in Australia

Electrical engineering salary: what the numbers say

When people ask about the electrical engineering salary in Australia, they usually want to know what a qualified professional can expect to earn. The most reliable public source is the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), reported through Jobs and Skills Australia. For Electrical Engineers (ANZSCO 2333), the median full-time weekly earnings are $2,553 as of May 2025. That works out to about $132,756 a year before tax.

How the salary index works

The Salary Index compares a pay figure to the national line of 100, which represents full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. The national line is $2,083.70 per week (annualised $108,352) from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, May 2026. To get the index for electrical engineers: divide $2,553 by $2,083.70 and multiply by 100. That gives 122.5. So the typical electrical engineer earns about 22.5% above the national benchmark. For context, the national minimum wage sits at index 48.2, and the professional, scientific and technical services industry index is 114.7.

Gross pay: what goes into the figure

The $2,553 median is for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. It excludes part-time workers, managers, and apprentices. Electrical engineers work an average of 43 hours per week, and 92% work full-time. Their median hourly earnings are $67, compared to $47 for all occupations. This premium reflects the specialised skills in power generation, distribution, and control systems.

It is important to note that this figure is a median, not a starting salary. Entry-level engineers may earn less, while senior engineers or those in mining can earn significantly more. The industries page shows that mining has an index of 154.7, and many electrical engineers work in that sector.

Awards and professional engineers

Many people confuse the electrical engineering salary with award rates for electrical trades. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020, which covers electrical workers (grades 1 to 10). For example, an Electrical Worker Grade 5 (with industry, tool and licence allowances) earns $1,223.11 per week, or $32.19 per hour. However, professional electrical engineers are typically not covered by this award. They are usually employed under individual contracts or the Professional Employees Award. The award rates are a floor, not a ceiling, and most engineers earn well above them.

Superannuation: the 12% boost

From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For an electrical engineer on the median salary, the employer must contribute an extra $15,931 annually. That brings total remuneration to about $148,687. Super is paid on top of the gross salary and is taxed at 15% within the fund, not at the individual's marginal rate. You can read more about how super interacts with pay in our pay guides.

Tax: what you take home

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates (excluding Medicare), an electrical engineer earning $132,756 falls into the 30% bracket. The tax on that income is approximately $29,627. Add the 2% Medicare levy: $2,655. Total deductions: $32,282. Take-home pay: $100,474 per year, or about $1,932 per week. This estimate ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, the Medicare levy reduction, and the Medicare levy surcharge. It also assumes the tax-free threshold is claimed.

State and industry variations

Where you work matters. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest index at 109.9, while Tasmania is at 88.6. Electrical engineers in Western Australia, where mining is strong, often earn above the national median. The industry also plays a role: professional, scientific and technical services (where many engineers work) has an index of 114.7, while electricity, gas, water and waste services is another major employer.

Key caveats

The median figure from Jobs and Skills Australia is based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. It has a relative standard error, and figures for some sub-groups may be suppressed. The salary index uses ordinary-time earnings, not total remuneration. Bonuses, overtime, and allowances can push actual pay higher. Always check the how the index works page for definitions.

Summary

The electrical engineering salary in Australia is well above average, with a median weekly earnings of $2,553 and a salary index of 122.5. After adding 12% super and accounting for tax, the total package is competitive. For the most current figures, refer to official sources like the ABS and Fair Work Ombudsman. For more on related topics, see our topics page.