What is Patrick Murtagh's salary? How to compare job offers using the Salary Index

What does 'Patrick Murtagh salary' mean?

When you search for "patrick murtagh salary", you are likely trying to find out how much a person named Patrick Murtagh earns, or you are using the name as a placeholder for a job offer you are evaluating. This guide explains how to benchmark any salary figure against Australian benchmarks using the Salary Index.

No public record of a specific Patrick Murtagh's earnings exists in the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Fair Work Commission, or Fair Work Ombudsman databases. The name may appear in a job advertisement, a contract, or a salary discussion. The approach below works for any offer.

Using the Salary Index to compare offers

The Salary Index sets 100 as the national line for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings: $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352, based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. Men average $2,181/week (index 104.7), women $1,934.50/week (index 92.8).

If Patrick Murtagh's job ad states a salary of $95,000, divide by $108,352 and multiply by 100: index 87.7. That is below the national average. Compare that to the industry benchmark: for example, retail trade index 75.9, accommodation and food services 72.5, professional services 114.7, education and training 105.5, health care 97.8. If the role is in professional services, an index of 87.7 is low; if in retail, it is above average.

State benchmarks also matter. New South Wales index 101.2, Victoria 98, Queensland 97.9, South Australia 94.6, Western Australia 106.9, Tasmania 88.6, Northern Territory 95.2, Australian Capital Territory 109.9. A $95,000 offer in WA (index 82.0 relative to state line) is below the state average; in Tasmania it is close to the state line.

Award minimums and the national minimum wage

If the job ad does not specify a salary, you can check the relevant modern award. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for each award. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised $52,255, index 48.2. Award minimums rose 4.75% from that date. For example, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award [MA000027] has specific classifications. The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award [MA000100] also saw changes from 1 December 2026.

Casual employees get a loading: 25% on top of the minimum hourly rate, so $33.05/hr for the national minimum wage. Entry-level award floor is $25.74/hr.

Superannuation and tax considerations

Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, on earnings up to $270,830. If Patrick Murtagh's offer is $95,000, the employer must contribute $11,400 super, making total remuneration $106,400. The Salary Index uses cash earnings only, so the index remains 87.7.

Tax for 2026–27 (resident, excluding Medicare): nil on first $18,200; 15% on $18,201–$45,000; 30% on $45,001–$135,000; 37% on $135,001–$190,000; 45% above $190,000. Medicare levy is 2%. On $95,000, tax is approximately $20,667 plus $1,900 Medicare, leaving about $72,433 take-home. That is a rough estimate ignoring HELP, salary sacrifice, or Medicare levy surcharge.

How to read a job ad critically

When you see a salary in an ad, ask: Is it full-time or part-time? Does it include super? Is it based on an award or an individual arrangement? The ABS data shows that 38.5% of employees have pay set by individual arrangement, with average weekly earnings of $1,876.50 (index 90.1). Collective agreement averages $1,746.10 (index 83.8), award only $922.20 (index 44.3).

If Patrick Murtagh is a manager, the average weekly earnings for managers are $2,800.90 (index 134.5). For professionals, $2,049.60 (index 98.4). For technicians and trades workers, $1,756.90 (index 84.3). For labourers, $1,067.70 (index 51.2).

Industry-specific benchmarks

Mining has the highest average weekly total cash earnings at $3,177.70 (index 152.5). Accommodation and food services lowest at $823.60 (index 39.5). If the ad is for a role in mining, an index of 87.7 is far below the industry average; if in accommodation, it is well above.

Full-time non-managerial employees paid at adult rate in mining average $3,216.80/week (index 154.4). In retail trade, $1,493.10 (index 71.7). In professional services, $2,155.80 (index 103.5).

Putting it together for Patrick Murtagh

Without a specific figure, you can still use the index to evaluate any offer. For example, if Patrick Murtagh is offered $80,000 in a professional services role in Sydney, the index is 73.8, well below the industry benchmark of 114.7 and the NSW state line of 101.2. That suggests the offer is low. If the same offer is in retail in Tasmania, index 73.8 is close to the retail industry average (75.9) and above the Tasmania state line (88.6? Actually 73.8 is below 88.6, so still low). The index gives a quick relative comparison.

To get a full picture, check the relevant award on the Fair Work Ombudsman site, consider super, and use the states and industries pages on Salary Index for more granular data.

Final note

The Salary Index is a tool for benchmarking gross ordinary-time earnings. It does not replace professional advice. Always read the relevant modern award or enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database contains the calculated minimum rates.

For more on how the index is calculated, see how the index works. To explore related topics, visit topics.