What Is OT Salary? How Ordinary Time Earnings Vary by State and Industry
OT salary means ordinary time earnings before overtime. See how the national benchmark of $2,083.70 per week compares across states and industries, and where your pay sits on the S
The national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark is $2,083.70 per week (index 100), but state and industry indices range from 72.5 (Accommodation and food services) to 154.7 (Mining).
What Does OT Salary Mean?
OT salary stands for ordinary time salary – the pay you receive for your standard working hours, before overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or bonuses are added. It’s the base rate that appears on your payslip as your hourly or weekly wage for ordinary hours. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) tracks this as average weekly ordinary time earnings for full-time adults, which is the reference point for the Salary Index.
The National Benchmark
According to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings report for May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings sit at $2,083.70 per week. Annualised, that’s $108,352 – this is index 100 on the Salary Index. Every dollar you earn in ordinary time is compared to this line. If your ordinary-time salary is above $108,352, your index is above 100; if below, it’s under 100.
For context, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (annualised $52,255), giving an index of 48.2. Most award-covered employees earn more than the minimum, but the gap between the lowest and highest ordinary-time salaries is wide.
State Differences in OT Salary
Where you work matters. The Salary Index shows state-level benchmarks based on ordinary-time earnings:
- Australian Capital Territory – index 109.9 ($119,090 annualised)
- Western Australia – index 106.9 ($115,825)
- New South Wales – index 101.2 ($109,658)
- Victoria – index 98.0 ($106,137)
- Queensland – index 97.9 ($106,064)
- Northern Territory – index 95.2 ($103,173)
- South Australia – index 94.6 ($102,450)
- Tasmania – index 88.6 ($96,008)
These differences reflect the mix of industries in each state. For example, WA’s high index is driven by mining and resources, while Tasmania’s lower index reflects a greater share of hospitality and retail jobs. If you’re comparing job offers across states, the OT salary index gives you a quick sense of how the local market stacks up against the national average. Check the states page for more detail.
Industry Benchmarks
Your industry is an even bigger factor. The ABS data and the Salary Index show clear winners and laggards:
- Mining – index 154.7 (well above national average)
- Professional, scientific and technical services – index 114.7
- Education and training – index 105.5
- Health care and social assistance – index 97.8
- Retail trade – index 75.9
- Accommodation and food services – index 72.5
If you work in mining, your ordinary-time earnings are likely to be 55% above the national line. In retail or hospitality, they’re about three-quarters of the benchmark. These indices are averages – your actual pay depends on your role, award classification, and employer. For a deeper look, visit the industries page.
How Awards and the Minimum Wage Fit In
The Fair Work Ombudsman sets the National Minimum Wage, but most employees are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Awards often set higher minimum rates for ordinary time. For example, the entry-level award floor is $25.74 per hour, and award minima rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026. The Fair Work Commission publishes a Modern Awards Pay Database with detailed rates for each classification.
Your OT salary is the base rate under your award or agreement. Overtime, penalties, and allowances are extra. That’s why the Salary Index focuses on ordinary-time earnings – it’s the cleanest measure of your base pay.
Using the Salary Index to Understand Your Pay
To find your personal OT salary index, take your annual gross ordinary-time earnings (before tax and super) and divide by $108,352, then multiply by 100. For example:
- A retail worker earning $60,000 in ordinary time: index 55.4
- A teacher earning $95,000: index 87.7
- A mining engineer earning $150,000: index 138.5
You can compare your index to the state and industry benchmarks above. If your index is below the average for your industry, it might be time to check your award or negotiate. The how the index works guide explains the calculation in more detail.
Tax and Super Considerations
OT salary is gross pay. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on earnings up to $270,830. For resident tax (2026–27, excluding Medicare), rates start at nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Add the 2% Medicare levy. Your take-home pay will be lower than your OT salary, but the index remains a useful benchmark for comparing roles.
Final Thoughts
OT salary is the foundation of your pay. By understanding the national line and how your state and industry compare, you can make smarter career and salary decisions. Whether you’re in WA’s mining sector or Tasmania’s hospitality industry, the Salary Index gives you a clear picture of where you stand. For more guides, see the topics page.
Questions people ask
How is OT salary different from total salary?
OT salary (ordinary time salary) is the pay you earn for your standard working hours before any overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or bonuses. Total salary includes all additional payments. The Salary Index uses ordinary-time earnings as the benchmark because it reflects the base rate of pay for a full-time adult employee.
Why do state and industry indices vary so much?
State indices reflect differences in industry mix, cost of living, and enterprise agreements. For example, Western Australia has a high index (106.9) partly due to mining. Industry indices show that Mining (154.7) pays well above the national average, while Retail trade (75.9) and Accommodation and food services (72.5) are below. Your personal index depends on your occupation, award, and location.
How do I calculate my own OT salary index?
Take your annual gross ordinary-time earnings (before tax and super) and divide by the national line of $108,352, then multiply by 100. For instance, if you earn $90,000 a year in ordinary time, your index is 83.1. You can compare this to state and industry benchmarks to see where you sit. Use the [Salary Index](/method) for more detail.