Juris Doctor Salary: Where It Sits on the Australian Salary Index

What is a Juris Doctor salary in Australia?

The Juris Doctor (JD) is a graduate-entry law degree that qualifies holders to practise law in Australia. A JD salary depends on where you work—whether in a private law firm, government, or community legal centre—and your level of experience. This guide uses the Australian salary index to show where a JD graduate’s pay sits relative to the national line.

The salary index compares yearly gross pay to the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark. The benchmark is $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352, which is index 100. A figure above 100 means above-average earnings; below 100 means below-average.

Award minimums for law graduates

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Legal Services Award 2020, which covers many legal employees. As of July 2026, the minimum weekly rate for a Law Graduate (Level 5) is $1,291.80. That works out to $33.99 per hour for a 38-hour week. Annualised, that’s about $67,174, giving an index of 62.0.

A Law Clerk (Level 6) under the same award earns $1,369.20 per week ($36.03 per hour), annualised $71,198, index 65.7. These are minimum rates; many law firms pay above award, especially in commercial practice.

The award also lists levels for legal clerical and administrative employees, from Level 1 ($1,073.10/week, index 51.5) to Level 4 ($1,241.40/week, index 59.6). These roles may be held by JD graduates working as paralegals before admission.

Median earnings for legal professionals

Jobs and Skills Australia reports median weekly earnings of $2,803 for Judicial and Other Legal Professionals (ANZSCO 2712). That’s $75 per hour, annualised $145,756, index 134.5. This group includes judges, magistrates, tribunal members, and intellectual property lawyers—roles typically requiring many years of experience beyond the JD.

The median age for this occupation is 44, and 69% of workers are women. Full-time workers average 44 hours per week.

Where a JD salary sits on the index

A fresh JD graduate on the award minimum is well below the national line (index 62). But as you move into professional practice, earnings climb. The median for all legal professionals is above the national line (index 134). Many solicitors in private practice earn between index 80 and 120 in their early years, depending on the firm and location.

For comparison, the national minimum wage from July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised $52,255, index 48.2. So even the award minimum for a law graduate is about 30% above the minimum wage.

State and industry variations

Earnings vary by state. The salary index for all occupations in each state (from the on-site reference) shows:

• New South Wales: index 101.2
• Victoria: index 98.0
• Queensland: index 97.9
• South Australia: index 94.6
• Western Australia: index 106.9
• Tasmania: index 88.6
• Northern Territory: index 95.2
• Australian Capital Territory: index 109.9

Legal professionals in high-cost states like NSW and the ACT may earn more, but award rates are national.

Industry also matters. The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry (which includes legal services) has an index of 114.7, above the national line. In contrast, Retail Trade is 75.9 and Accommodation and Food Services is 72.5. Legal work tends to be in higher-paying industries.

Superannuation and tax considerations

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of the salary (from July 2026). So a JD graduate on $67,174 would have an additional $8,061 in super, making total remuneration about $75,235.

Income tax for 2026–27 (resident, with tax-free threshold) is:

• Nil up to $18,200
• 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
• 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
• 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
• 45% above $190,000 Plus a 2% Medicare levy.

For a $67,174 salary, tax plus Medicare would be roughly $11,000–$12,000, leaving a take-home of about $55,000–$56,000. The index calculation uses gross pay before tax and super.

How to use the salary index for JD roles

The salary index helps you compare any pay figure to the national line. To calculate: take yearly gross pay, divide by $108,352, multiply by 100. For example, a JD graduate earning $80,000 would have an index of 73.8. A senior solicitor on $150,000 would have an index of 138.5.

You can explore pay guides for award rates, states for regional differences, and industries for sector benchmarks. The topics page covers other occupations.

Caveats

The figures here are from public sources: the Fair Work Ombudsman award and Jobs and Skills Australia occupation data. No specific survey for Juris Doctor graduates alone was found. The median for Judicial and Other Legal Professionals includes many senior roles, so it is not a starting salary. Award rates are minimums; actual pay can be much higher, especially in top-tier firms or after admission.

Always check the relevant award or enterprise agreement for your role. The Salary Index provides a consistent benchmark, but individual circumstances vary.