What Salary Surveys Reveal About State and Industry Pay Differences in Australia
Salary surveys show how pay varies by state and industry. Compare your earnings against the national index using ABS data and understand what drives differences.
The national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings index is 100, set at $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 annualised), with state indices ranging from 88.6 in Tasmania to 109.9 in the ACT, and industry indices from 72.5 in accommodation and food services to 154.7 in mining.
What salary surveys tell us about pay differences across Australia
Salary surveys are one of the most practical tools for understanding how your pay compares to others in similar roles. In Australia, the most reliable salary surveys come from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), which publishes official data on earnings by industry, state, sex, and method of setting pay. The Salary Index uses this data to create a simple benchmark: an index of 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 annualised. This article explains how salary surveys reveal state and industry differences, and how you can use the index to see where your pay sits.
How salary surveys work
A salary survey collects pay information from a sample of employers or employees. The ABS runs two key surveys: the Average Weekly Earnings survey, which gives a snapshot of average earnings, and the Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which provides more detail on the distribution of pay and how it is set. Private salary surveys often focus on specific industries or roles, but they may not be as comprehensive as official data. When reading any salary survey, check the sample size, the definition of earnings (e.g., base salary vs total package), and whether it includes casual loading or superannuation.
State differences: where you work matters
One of the clearest findings from salary surveys is that location drives pay. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings May 2026 shows state indices ranging from 88.6 in Tasmania to 109.9 in the Australian Capital Territory. For example, the ACT index of 109.9 corresponds to annualised earnings of $119,090, while Tasmania’s index of 88.6 gives $96,008. Western Australia is second highest at 106.9 ($115,825), largely due to its mining industry. Victoria and Queensland are close to the national average at 98 and 97.9 respectively. These differences are not just about cost of living; they reflect the mix of industries in each state. The states page on Salary Index breaks down each region’s index and what it means for your pay.
Industry differences: the biggest gap
Industry is the strongest predictor of pay in Australia. According to the ABS, mining has an index of 154.7, meaning average full-time ordinary-time earnings are 54.7% above the national line. At the other extreme, accommodation and food services index is 72.5, or 27.5% below. Retail trade is also low at 75.9. Professional, scientific and technical services index is 114.7, while education and training is 105.5 and health care and social assistance is 97.8. These figures are gross ordinary-time benchmarks, not a quote for any specific job. For example, a registered nurse in a public hospital may earn above the health care average due to awards and penalties. The industries page provides more detail on each sector.
How pay is set: awards, collective agreements, and individual arrangements
Salary surveys also reveal how pay is determined. The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (May 2025) found that 38.5% of employees have their pay set by individual arrangement, 34.6% by collective agreement, and 22.7% by award only. Award-only employees earn the least, with average weekly total cash earnings of $922.20. Those on collective agreements earn $1,746.10, and those on individual arrangements earn $1,876.50. This matters because salary surveys that only report averages may hide the fact that many workers are on awards. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week, index 48.2), but modern awards can pay more. For example, the entry-level award floor is $25.74 per hour. Understanding how your pay is set helps you interpret salary survey results.
Using the Salary Index to compare your pay
The Salary Index is a simple tool: divide your yearly gross earnings by the national line ($108,352) and multiply by 100. If you earn $120,000, your index is about 111. If you earn $80,000, your index is about 74. Compare this to the state and industry indices above. For example, if you work in retail in Tasmania, your index might be well below the national average. But if you are a mining engineer in Western Australia, your index could be above 150. The how the index works page explains the calculation in more detail.
Caveats and limitations
Salary surveys are snapshots, not predictions. They do not account for bonuses, overtime, salary sacrifice, or superannuation (which is 12% from 1 July 2026). They also do not capture the full distribution of pay – a few very high earners can pull up the average. For a more complete picture, look at median earnings. The ABS reports median weekly earnings of $1,436 for all employees, $1,674 for males and $1,250 for females. The gender pay gap is evident in salary surveys: men’s full-time ordinary-time earnings are $2,181 per week (index 104.7) compared to women’s $1,934.50 (index 92.8). When using salary surveys, always consider the source and methodology. The pay guides on Salary Index can help you find award rates and minimum wages for specific roles.
Putting it together
Salary surveys are a valuable starting point for understanding your market worth. By comparing your pay to the national index and then adjusting for state and industry, you can get a realistic picture. Remember that the index is a benchmark, not a target. Your actual pay depends on your skills, experience, employer, and negotiation. Use the Salary Index to see where you stand, and explore the topics page for more on awards, super, and tax.
Questions people ask
What is a salary survey?
A salary survey is a collection of pay data from employers, employees, or industry bodies to benchmark compensation. In Australia, official salary surveys are conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), such as the Average Weekly Earnings survey and the Employee Earnings and Hours survey. Private firms also run surveys, but they may use different methodologies. The Salary Index uses ABS data to set a national benchmark of 100, representing full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week.
How do state differences affect pay according to salary surveys?
Salary surveys consistently show that where you work in Australia matters. According to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings vary by state. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest index at 109.9 (annualised $119,090), followed by Western Australia at 106.9 ($115,825). Tasmania is lowest at 88.6 ($96,008). These differences reflect industry mix, cost of living, and labour demand. For example, WA’s mining sector pushes up averages, while TAS has a higher share of lower-paying industries.
How do industry differences show up in salary surveys?
Industry is the biggest driver of pay variation. The ABS reports that mining has an index of 154.7, meaning average full-time ordinary-time earnings are 54.7% above the national line. At the other end, accommodation and food services index is 72.5, or 27.5% below. Professional, scientific and technical services index is 114.7, while retail trade is 75.9. These gaps reflect skill demand, profitability, and award structures. Salary surveys help job seekers and employers compare roles across industries, but remember that individual roles within an industry can vary widely.