Solution architect salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index

What is a solution architect salary?

A solution architect designs and coordinates end-to-end technology solutions to meet business outcomes. The ABS defines the occupation under code 273233, noting it excludes cloud solution architects (who fall under 273231). The role sits within the professional, scientific and technical services industry, which has a salary index of 114.7 – already above the national line of 100.

But where does the solution architect salary itself sit on the Australian salary index? The index compares a yearly gross salary to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A score of 100 is exactly average; above 100 means above average.

Robert Half's 2026 salary guide

Robert Half Australia publishes a national salary range for Solutions Architect. Their 2026 guide gives three percentiles:

• 25th percentile: $165,000 (index 152)
• 50th percentile: $175,000 (index 162)
• 75th percentile: $195,000 (index 180)

These are gross yearly salaries, excluding bonuses, benefits and super. The 50th percentile represents a candidate with moderate experience who meets most requirements. The 75th percentile reflects extensive experience and advanced skills, possibly with specialised certifications.

To put that in perspective, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $52,255 annualised (index 48.2). A solution architect at the median $175,000 earns more than three times that. Even the entry-level award floor of $25.74 per hour ($53,539 annualised) is far below.

What the ATO data shows

Salary Insider uses ATO Taxation Statistics (2023-24) to provide occupation medians. While a precise solution architect median isn't shown in the search results, the methodology explains that ATO figures include part-time and part-year workers, which can pull the median below advertised full-time rates. The ATO data is also two years old, but Salary Insider offers a projection tool using the occupation group's recent change in average salary income.

For a more current picture, the Robert Half guide is likely closer to what a full-time solution architect would be offered today. However, it's a recruitment agency's estimate, not a government survey.

Comparing with related roles

Robert Half also provides ranges for other architect roles:

• Enterprise Architect: $170,000–$220,000 (index 157–203)
• Infrastructure Architect: $150,000–$185,000 (index 138–171)
• Data Architect: $155,000–$195,000 (index 143–180)

A solution architect at the 75th percentile ($195,000) matches the data architect upper end, but sits below the enterprise architect's top. All these roles are well above the professional, scientific and technical industry index of 114.7.

State and industry context

Salary varies by location. The on-site reference shows state indices: ACT 109.9, WA 106.9, NSW 101.2, VIC 98.0, QLD 97.9, SA 94.6, NT 95.2, TAS 88.6. A solution architect in Canberra or Perth might command a premium, while Tasmania's lower index suggests slightly lower pay. However, the Robert Half range is national and doesn't break down by state.

Industry also matters. The professional, scientific and technical services index is 114.7, but mining (154.7) and retail trade (75.9) show how different sectors pay. Solution architects in mining or finance might earn above the Robert Half range.

What the salary index means for you

The salary index is a simple tool: your yearly gross salary divided by $108,352, multiplied by 100. If you earn $175,000, your index is 162. That tells you you're 62% above the national average for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. It's a benchmark, not a quote for a specific job or award classification.

Remember that modern awards can set higher rates than the national minimum wage. The solution architect role is typically not covered by an award, so pay is negotiated individually. Superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026) is on top of the salary shown.

For more detail on how the index works, see how the index works. You can also compare pay across states and industries.

Caveats

• Robert Half's data is from a recruitment agency, not a government source. It reflects advertised salaries, not actual earnings across all solution architects.
• ATO data is more representative of the whole occupation but lags and includes part-time workers.
• The salary index uses the national line from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, which is a benchmark, not a guarantee.

For a deeper look at pay guides and award rates, visit our pay guides page.

Summary

A solution architect salary in Australia, based on the most current publicly available guide, sits between $165,000 and $195,000. That translates to a salary index of 152 to 180 – well above the national line of 100. The role is among the higher-paid IT specialisations, comparable to data architects but below enterprise architects. Use the index to see where any salary sits against the national average.