What the IT salary guide for Melbourne tells you about pay relative to the national line

What the IT salary guide for Melbourne tells you about pay relative to the national line

When you search for an "it salary guide melbourne", you are likely looking for a benchmark to see if a job offer or your current pay is competitive. The Salary Index provides a clear way to compare any salary against the national average for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. The national line is set at index 100, which equals $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This article explains how IT salaries in Melbourne sit against that line, using state and industry differences.

The national line and what it means for IT roles

The index works by dividing a yearly gross salary by the national line and multiplying by 100. For example, a salary of $110,000 gives an index of 101.5, slightly above average. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 annualised, which is index 48.2. Most IT roles pay well above that floor. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that in August 2025, median weekly earnings for Professionals were $1,900, or about $98,800 annualised. That is below the national line, but remember the median is different from the average used for the index. The average for full-time adults is higher because it includes higher-paid roles.

State differences: Victoria and Melbourne

Victoria has a state index of 98, meaning the average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in Victoria are about $106,137 per year, slightly below the national line. Melbourne, as the capital, likely has higher earnings than regional Victoria. The ABS data for August 2025 shows median weekly earnings in Melbourne were $1,400 per week (for all employees), while Sydney and Perth were $1,500. For IT professionals in Melbourne, salaries often exceed the state average because the industry pays above the all-industry average. The states page on Salary Index breaks down each state's index.

Industry differences: Professional services index 114.7

IT roles typically fall under the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry. That industry has an index of 114.7, meaning average full-time ordinary-time earnings of about $124,284 per year. This is well above the national line. The ABS data shows median weekly earnings for this industry at $1,897 in August 2025, but again the average is higher. So an IT salary in Melbourne that is around $120,000 to $130,000 is common and sits near the industry average. Compare this to industries like Retail trade (index 75.9) or Accommodation and food services (index 72.5) to see how much IT pays above the national average. The industries page has more details.

How awards and super affect the picture

Many IT roles are not covered by a modern award, but some may fall under the Professional Employees Award if the work involves professional engineering, scientific, or technical duties. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides that list minimum rates for each award. From 1 July 2026, award minima rose by 4.75%. For award-free roles, the market sets the rate. Superannuation is 12% from 1 July 2026, and it is paid on top of your salary, not included in the index (which uses gross ordinary-time earnings). Tax for 2026–27 is progressive: nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that, plus a 2% Medicare levy. For a $120,000 salary, take-home is roughly $91,000 after tax and Medicare.

Using the index to compare IT salaries in Melbourne

To use the index for an IT salary in Melbourne, find the yearly gross figure. Divide by $108,352 and multiply by 100. Then compare to the Victoria state index (98) and the Professional Services industry index (114.7). If your index is above 114.7, you are earning more than the average for your industry. If it is below 98, you may be below the state average. Remember that the index is a benchmark, not a guarantee. The how the index works page explains the calculation in more detail.

Caveats and other considerations

The data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Fair Work Commission is reliable but has limitations. The ABS figures are medians, not averages, so they can be lower than the index. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database is updated after each Annual Wage Review, but there may be a delay. Also, the search for an "it salary guide melbourne" did not return a single official guide; instead, the information comes from general earnings statistics and award databases. For a precise salary guide, you may need to consult industry surveys or recruitment agencies, but the Salary Index gives you a consistent national benchmark.

Summary

An IT salary in Melbourne should be viewed through two lenses: the state index (98) and the industry index (114.7). Most IT roles pay above the state average and near or above the industry average. The national line of index 100 is a useful midpoint. Use the Salary Index to compare any offer, and check the topics page for more on how different factors affect pay.