Median Salary Australia: How It Compares to the National Average and What It Means for Your Pay
Understand the median salary in Australia, how it differs from the average, and what it means for your gross pay, super, and tax. Salary Index explains.
The median salary in Australia is not directly available from this reference, but the national average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are $108,352 per year (index 100), which gives a benchmark for comparison.
What Is the Median Salary in Australia?
The median salary in Australia is the middle point of all earnings: half of workers earn more, half earn less. Unlike the average (mean), the median is not pulled up by very high incomes. The Australian Bureau of Statistics regularly publishes median weekly earnings, but the on-site reference for Salary Index does not include a specific median figure. Instead, it provides the national average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (index 100). That average is a useful benchmark, but it is higher than the median because high earners lift the mean.
How the Median Compares to the National Average
If you earn the national average of $108,352, your Salary Index score is 100. The median is typically lower. For example, in many industries the median might be around 90–95 on the index, meaning $97,500–$103,000 per year. However, without a precise figure from this reference, we cannot state a definitive median. The gap between median and average varies by industry and state. For instance, Mining has an index of 154.7 (well above average), so its median is likely higher, while Retail trade at 75.9 has a lower median.
Gross Pay, Super, and Tax on a Median Salary
When thinking about your salary, it helps to understand the full picture: gross pay, superannuation, and tax. Super is paid on top of your gross salary at 12% from 1 July 2026 (up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830). So if your gross salary is at the median, your employer adds 12% super, but that money goes into your super fund, not your bank account. The Salary Index uses gross ordinary-time earnings before super, so the median salary figure would also be before super.
Tax on a median salary depends on your exact income. Using the national average as a rough guide: on $108,352, resident tax for 2026–27 (excluding Medicare) is about $25,288, plus a 2% Medicare levy of $2,167, leaving take-home of roughly $80,897. If the median is lower, tax is less. For example, on $97,500 (index 90), tax would be about $21,413 plus Medicare $1,950, take-home ~$74,137. These are estimates ignoring HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge.
State and Industry Differences
The median salary varies significantly across Australia. States like the ACT (index 109.9) and WA (106.9) have higher averages, so their medians are likely above the national median. Conversely, Tasmania (88.6) and SA (94.6) have lower averages. Industry also matters: Professional, scientific and technical services (index 114.7) tend to have higher medians, while Accommodation and food services (72.5) have much lower medians. If you want to compare your pay, use the index to see where you sit against the national line.
Why the Median Matters More Than the Average
For most workers, the median is a better reflection of typical earnings. The average is inflated by a small number of very high incomes. When you hear "median salary Australia", it tells you what a typical full-time worker earns. Without a published median from this reference, the best we can do is use the national average as a starting point and adjust for industry and state. For a personalised comparison, check the pay guides for your award or industry.
How to Find Your Own Salary Index
You can calculate your own index by dividing your yearly gross ordinary-time earnings by $108,352 and multiplying by 100. For example, if you earn $90,000, your index is 83.1. That tells you how your pay compares to the national average. Remember, the index is a benchmark, not a target. Many people earn below 100, especially in retail or hospitality. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $52,255 per year (index 48.2), so the median is well above that.
Final Thoughts
While the exact median salary in Australia is not available from this reference, you can use the national average and industry/state indexes to estimate where you stand. The Salary Index is designed to help you understand your pay in context. For more detailed comparisons, explore our topics on gross pay, super, and tax.
Questions people ask
What is the median salary in Australia?
The median salary in Australia is not specified in this reference. The Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes median weekly earnings, but the on-site data only provides the average (mean) full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (index 100). The median is generally lower than the average because high incomes skew the mean upward.
How does superannuation affect the median salary?
Superannuation is paid on top of your gross salary at 12% from 1 July 2026 (up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830). If your gross salary is at the median, your employer adds super, but it is not part of your take-home pay. The Salary Index uses gross ordinary-time earnings before super, so the median salary figure would also be before super.
How much tax would I pay on a median salary in Australia?
Without a precise median figure, we can use the national average of $108,352 as an example. For 2026–27, resident tax (excluding Medicare) is: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800, 30% on the next $90,000, and 37% on the remainder. On $108,352, tax is about $25,288 plus 2% Medicare levy ($2,167), leaving a take-home of roughly $80,897. Actual tax depends on your exact income and deductions.