What Is the Median Salary in Australia? Awards vs National Minimum Wage

What Is the Median Salary in Australia?

When Australians ask about the median salary, they want to know the middle point of all earnings: half the workers earn more, half earn less. Unlike the average (mean), the median is not pulled up by very high incomes. This article explains where the median salary sits in relation to the national line and how awards compare to the national minimum wage.

The National Line and the Median

The Salary Index sets 100 as full-time adult ordinary-time earnings: $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). That is the average, not the median. The median is typically lower because high earners push the average up. The national minimum wage, at $52,255 per year (index 48.2), is far below the average. The median salary is somewhere between these two, but the exact figure is uncertain without specific ABS data.

Awards vs the National Minimum Wage

The national minimum wage is the legal floor: $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026. However, most employees are covered by a modern award that sets higher minimum rates for their industry or role. Awards rose by 4.75% from the same date. For example, the entry-level award floor is $25.74 per hour, but many classifications pay more. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual national minimum wage $33.05 per hour.

Industry Differences

Industry indices from the reference show how average pay varies. Retail trade sits at index 75.9 (about $82,200 annualised), accommodation and food services at 72.5 ($78,600), while professional services are at 114.7 ($124,300). These are averages, not medians, but they give a sense of where different sectors sit. The median salary in retail, for instance, is likely lower than the average due to many part-time and junior roles.

State Comparisons

State indices also affect where the median might fall. The ACT has the highest index at 109.9 ($119,090), while Tasmania is at 88.6 ($96,008). The national median is influenced by these regional differences. If you live in a state with a higher average, your median is probably higher too.

How the Salary Index Helps

The how the index works page explains that you can compare any gross annual salary to the national line. For example, if you earn $70,000, your index is about 64.6. That tells you your pay is 64.6% of the national average. While the index does not directly show the median, it helps you see where you stand relative to the average and the minimum wage.

Awards and the Median

Awards set minimum rates that are often above the national minimum wage but still below the median for many occupations. For instance, a retail sales assistant under the General Retail Industry Award might earn around $25–$30 per hour, which annualised (full-time) is $52,000–$62,400. That is below the national average but could be near the median for that industry. The median salary for all workers is higher because it includes professionals, managers, and other higher-paid roles.

Take-Home Pay Considerations

When thinking about median salary, remember that take-home pay is less than gross. Using the 2026–27 tax rates (excluding Medicare), a resident earning $70,000 pays about $11,467 in tax plus 2% Medicare levy ($1,400), leaving around $57,133. The national minimum wage take-home is about $41,000 after tax and Medicare. Awards often include superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026), which is on top of the salary.

Key Takeaways

• The median salary is not the same as the average; it is lower and not directly given in this reference.
• Awards set pay above the national minimum wage, but many award rates are still below the national average.
• Use the pay guides and industries pages to see typical rates for your field.
• The states page shows how your location affects the average, which hints at the median.