Site manager salary: how to read a job ad and compare offers
Understand site manager salary using the Salary Index. Compare award rates, state benchmarks, and national earnings to evaluate job offers.
A site manager salary typically sits well above the national minimum wage, often between index 80 and 120 depending on experience, location, and project complexity.
What is a site manager salary?
A site manager (also called construction manager or project supervisor) oversees daily operations on a building or civil construction site. Pay varies widely by project size, location, and experience. When reading a job ad, the first step is to understand where the offered salary sits against national benchmarks.
Using the Salary Index to compare offers
The Salary Index converts a yearly gross salary into a simple number where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings ($108,352 per year, based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). For example:
- National minimum wage (2026): $52,255 → index 48.2
- Building Award Level 9 minimum: $68,094 → index 62.8
- Typical site manager range: $100,000–$150,000 → index 92–138
This lets you compare a job in Sydney (NSW index 101.2) with one in Perth (WA index 106.9) or Hobart (TAS index 88.6). See state benchmarks for more detail.
Award coverage for site managers
Most site managers in the on-site building and construction industry are covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for this award. The award sets minimum weekly rates for classifications from Level 1 to Level 9. As of 1 July 2026:
- Level 9 (ECW 9): $1,309.50/week ($34.46/hour)
- Level 8 (CW/ECW 8): $1,286.70/week ($33.86/hour)
- Level 7 (CW/ECW 7): $1,256.30/week ($33.06/hour)
These are minimums. Many site managers are classified above Level 9 or work under enterprise agreements that pay more. The award also includes an industry allowance of $67.15 per week.
How to read a job ad
A typical ad might say: “Site Manager – $130,000–$150,000 + super”. Here’s how to break it down:
- Is super included? From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%. If the ad says “+ super”, the base salary is $130,000–$150,000. If it says “package”, super may be included. Always clarify.
- Compare to the index: $130,000 base → index 120; $150,000 → index 138. Both are above the national line.
- Check the award: Even if the role is above award, the award provides a safety net for overtime, penalties, and allowances.
State and industry context
Site manager salaries vary by state. The index for Western Australia (106.9) is higher than the national average, reflecting stronger demand in mining and construction. In contrast, Tasmania (88.6) is lower. Use the industries page to see how construction compares to other sectors.
Tax and take-home pay
For a resident earning $130,000 in 2026–27, the tax (excluding Medicare) is:
- $0 on first $18,200
- 15% on $18,201–$45,000
- 30% on $45,001–$135,000
- 37% on $135,000–$135,000 (but $130k is within this bracket)
- Plus Medicare levy of 2%.
A quick estimate: tax on $130,000 is about $29,467 + 2% Medicare = $31,467. Take-home is roughly $98,533. The topics page has more detail on tax calculations.
Key takeaways
- Always use the salary index to compare offers, not just the dollar figure alone.
- Check the relevant award or enterprise agreement for your classification.
- Remember that award rates rose 4.75% from 1 July 2026.
- Super is not part of your ordinary-time earnings, but it’s a cost to the employer.
Where to find more information
- [Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides for the Building Award [MA000020] Pay Guide]( (Fair Work Ombudsman) – see the official pay guide for minimum rates.
- [Modern Awards Pay Database – Fair Work Commission – 2026 data includes updated rates from 1 July 2026.
Use the Salary Index method to understand how we calculate the index.
FAQs
What is the minimum pay for a site manager under the Building Award?
Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020, the highest classification (Level 9) has a minimum weekly rate of $1,309.50 as of 1 July 2026. However, site managers often fall above this level or are covered by enterprise agreements, so actual pay is usually higher.
How does a site manager salary compare to the national average?
Full-time adult ordinary-time earnings (index 100) are $108,352 per year. A site manager earning $120,000 would have an index of 111, meaning they earn 11% above the national line. Use the Salary Index to compare any offer.
Does superannuation affect the salary index for a site manager?
Yes. The salary index uses gross ordinary-time earnings before super. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%. If a job ad quotes $130,000 including super, the base salary is about $116,071 (index 107). Always check whether super is included in the advertised figure.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum pay for a site manager under the Building Award?
Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020, the highest classification (Level 9) has a minimum weekly rate of $1,309.50 as of 1 July 2026. However, site managers often fall above this level or are covered by enterprise agreements, so actual pay is usually higher.
How does a site manager salary compare to the national average?
Full-time adult ordinary-time earnings (index 100) are $108,352 per year. A site manager earning $120,000 would have an index of 111, meaning they earn 11% above the national line. Use the [Salary Index](/method) to compare any offer.
Does superannuation affect the salary index for a site manager?
Yes. The salary index uses gross ordinary-time earnings before super. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%. If a job ad quotes $130,000 including super, the base salary is about $116,071 (index 107). Always check whether super is included in the advertised figure.