Finance salary: what it means and how it compares to the national average
Understand finance salary in Australia using the Salary Index. Compare job offers, see how finance roles stack up against national average earnings.
Finance roles typically pay above the national line, with finance managers earning around 139 on the Salary Index, while the broader finance industry averages about 112.
What is a finance salary?
When you see a job ad for a finance role, the advertised salary might be a range or a figure. To understand whether it's a good offer, you need a benchmark. That's where the Salary Index comes in. It compares any gross annual salary to the national line of $108,352 (based on ABS average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 as of May 2026). An index of 100 means exactly average; above 100 means above average.
Finance roles and the national average
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Financial & Insurance Services industry had average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,341.30 in May 2026. That gives an industry index of 112.4. But this is an average across all roles, from entry-level to senior management. For a more specific role, consider finance managers. Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time weekly earnings of $2,904 for finance managers, which is an index of 139.4. That's well above the national line.
When reading a job ad, look at the role title and responsibilities. A "finance officer" or "accounts payable" role will likely be lower than a "finance manager" or "CFO". The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (May 2025) shows that full-time non-managerial employees in finance and insurance earn an average of $2,181.20 per week, index 104.7. So even non-managerial finance roles tend to be above the national average.
How to compare offers using the Salary Index
Let's say you see a job ad for a finance analyst role offering $95,000 per year. Divide $95,000 by $108,352 and multiply by 100 to get an index of 87.7. That's below the national average, which might be low for a finance role. But if the ad says $120,000, the index is 110.8, which is above average and more typical for a finance role.
Remember that the index uses gross earnings before tax and super. Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, so a $120,000 salary plus $14,400 super gives a total package of $134,400. The index on the base salary is still 110.8, but the total compensation is higher.
State and industry variations
Finance salaries also vary by location. The Salary Index for states shows ACT at 109.9, WA at 106.9, and NSW at 101.2. These are overall averages, but finance roles in these states may be higher. For example, a finance manager in Canberra might earn more than one in Tasmania (state index 88.6).
Industry matters too. Finance roles are concentrated in Financial & Insurance Services, but also in Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (industry index 114.7) and Mining (154.7). A finance role in mining might pay more than one in retail trade (75.9). See industries for more.
Awards and minimums
Most finance roles are above award, but some entry-level positions may be covered by the Clerks Private Sector Award or the Banking, Finance and Insurance Award. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, index 48.2. Award minima rose 4.75% from 1 July 2026, with an entry-level award floor of $25.74 per hour. Finance roles typically pay well above these floors. Check pay guides for award rates.
Tax and take-home pay
When comparing offers, consider tax. For 2026-27, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, 45% above. Plus Medicare levy 2%. A finance salary of $120,000 would have a tax of about $26,267 plus Medicare $2,400, leaving take-home around $91,333. Use the how the index works page for more details.
Conclusion
When you read a job ad for a finance role, use the Salary Index to see where it sits against the national line. Finance salaries are generally above average, but vary by role, experience, location, and industry. The index gives you a quick comparison. For more topics, see topics.
Questions people ask
How is the finance salary index calculated?
The Salary Index compares gross annual earnings to the national line of $108,352 (based on ABS average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70). For example, a finance manager earning $2,904 per week has an index of 139, meaning they earn 39% above the national average.
Does the finance salary include superannuation?
The Salary Index uses gross earnings before super. Super guarantee at 12% is additional. When comparing job offers, consider total package including super.
How do finance salaries vary by state?
States with higher overall earnings like ACT (index 109.9) and WA (106.9) tend to have higher finance salaries, while Tasmania (88.6) and SA (94.6) are lower. Check local job ads for context.