How to Use the Hays Salary Guide 2026 to Compare Job Offers

How the Hays Salary Guide 2026 Helps You Compare Offers

When you see a job ad with a salary figure, it can be hard to know if it is a fair offer. The Hays Salary Guide 2026 is one of the most referenced resources for typical pay across Australian industries. But to really understand where a salary sits, you need a consistent benchmark. That is what the Salary Index provides: a national line based on full-time adult ordinary-time earnings.

What the Hays Guide Tells You

The Hays Salary Guide is published each year based on a large survey of employers and employees. The 2026 edition (covering FY25/26) includes responses from over 12,000 people across Australia. It lists typical salaries and salary ranges for roles in industries such as construction, engineering, information technology, health care, financial services, and more. The figures are shown exclusive of superannuation, so you need to add 12% super (the rate from 1 July 2026) to get total remuneration.

The guide is useful for seeing what the market is paying for a particular job title and level of experience. For example, a mid-level engineer in mining might have a typical salary of $150,000, while a graduate in retail might be around $55,000. However, the guide does not tell you how those figures compare to the national average or to award minimums.

The National Line: The Salary Index

The Salary Index uses the Australian Bureau of Statistics Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026) as its baseline. Full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352. That is index 100. Everything else is a ratio. For instance, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week, annualised to $52,255. That gives an index of 48.2 – less than half the national line.

When you have a salary from the Hays guide, you can calculate its index by dividing the annual figure by $108,352 and multiplying by 100. A typical salary of $120,000 gives an index of 110.7 – above the national line. A salary of $80,000 gives an index of 73.8 – below the line.

Using the Hays Guide with Award Rates

Many jobs in Australia are covered by modern awards, which set minimum pay rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for each award. For example, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award has minimum rates for different classifications. The Hays guide may show market rates that are higher than award minimums, especially for experienced professionals. But if you are in an award-covered role, the award rate is your legal minimum. The Hays guide can help you negotiate above that.

From 1 July 2026, award minima rose by 4.75%. The national minimum wage also increased to $26.44 per hour. Casual employees get a 25% loading on top, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour. The Hays guide typically does not include casual loading or penalty rates, so be careful when comparing casual roles.

State and Industry Differences

Salaries vary significantly by state and industry. The states page on Salary Index shows how each state compares to the national line. For example, Western Australia has an index of 106.9 (annualised $115,825), while Tasmania is 88.6 ($96,008). The Hays guide often provides separate tables for each state, so you can see typical salaries in your location.

Industry also matters. The industries page shows that mining has an index of 154.7, while accommodation and food services is 72.5. If the Hays guide shows a typical salary for a chef at $60,000, that is below the national line (index 55.4) but may be typical for that industry. Comparing across industries using the index helps you see the real difference.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

When evaluating a job offer, remember that the advertised salary is before tax. For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates (excluding Medicare) are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A salary of $120,000 would have a tax bill of about $26,467 plus Medicare, leaving around $91,133 take-home. The Hays guide does not include tax estimates, so factor that in when comparing offers.

Putting It All Together

Imagine you receive a job offer for $130,000 as a project manager in construction. The Hays guide might show a typical range of $120,000–$150,000 for that role. Your offer is in the lower half. The index for $130,000 is 120.0 – well above the national line. But if you are in Tasmania (state index 88.6), that $130,000 is actually much higher than the state average. If you are in Western Australia (state index 106.9), it is still above but less exceptional.

You can also check the topics page for more guidance on specific industries or roles.

Limitations of the Hays Guide

The Hays guide is a survey, not a guarantee. It may not reflect every employer, especially small businesses or those with enterprise agreements. It also does not include bonuses, allowances, or non-monetary benefits like flexible working or additional leave – which the survey found are highly valued by employees. The guide is best used as a starting point, not a final answer.

For award-covered roles, always cross-check with the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide. For roles not covered by an award, the Hays guide combined with the Salary Index gives you a solid basis for negotiation.

Final Thoughts

The Hays Salary Guide 2026 is a valuable tool for anyone looking at job ads or comparing offers. By pairing it with the Salary Index, you can see exactly where a salary sits against the national line, adjust for your state and industry, and make informed decisions. Remember to add super, consider tax, and check award rates if applicable. That way, you will know if an offer is fair – or if you should ask for more.