Town Planner Salary: State and Industry Differences in Australia

Town Planner Salary: What the Data Shows

Understanding the town planner salary in Australia requires looking at multiple sources, because pay varies by sector, state, and experience. This guide uses the latest public data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Fair Work Ombudsman, and the Planning Institute of Australia to give you a clear picture.

Award Coverage and Minimum Pay

Town planners in local government are covered by the Local Government Industry Award. For planners working in private consulting, state government, or other sectors, no modern award applies. They are award-free and entitled only to the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, annualised $52,255) and the National Employment Standards. This means the floor for a town planner salary outside local government is the national minimum wage, but most employers pay well above that.

The award provides minimum rates for local government planners, which rose by 4.75% from July 2026. However, actual pay is typically higher, especially for experienced or senior planners.

Median Earnings and the Salary Index

The most authoritative figure comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. For full-time non-managerial urban and regional planners, median weekly earnings are $2,316 (May 2025). That annualises to $120,432.

To put this on the Salary Index, we compare it to the national line: full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week (annual $108,352). The calculation is:

$2,316 ÷ $2,083.70 × 100 = 111.1

So the median town planner salary sits at 111 on the index, 11 points above the national average. For context, the national minimum wage is at index 48.2.

The Planning Institute of Australia’s State of the Profession report (based on 2021 Census data) found a lower median of $2,177 per week, giving an index of 104.5. The difference likely reflects wage growth since 2021 and the exclusion of managers from the ABS figure.

State Differences in Town Planner Pay

State of employment is a major factor. The ABS data shows where planners work:

• New South Wales: 36.4%
• Victoria: 24.4%
• Queensland: 19.9%
• Western Australia: 10.6%
• South Australia: 3.6%
• Tasmania: 3.4%
• Australian Capital Territory: 1.0%
• Northern Territory: less than 1%

While state-specific median earnings for planners aren’t published, we can use the overall state salary indexes from the states page as a guide. For example:

• ACT index 109.9 (annual $119,090)
• WA index 106.9 ($115,825)
• NSW index 101.2 ($109,658)
• VIC index 98.0 ($106,137)
• QLD index 97.9 ($106,064)
• SA index 94.6 ($102,450)
• TAS index 88.6 ($96,008)

A town planner in Western Australia or the ACT is likely to earn more than one in Tasmania or South Australia, reflecting broader labour market conditions. The PIA report noted that planners in capital cities earn more on average, and 73% of planners work in a capital city.

Industry Differences

The industry a planner works in also affects pay. According to the PIA report, 44% work in local government, 37% in private sector (Professional, Scientific and Technical Services), and 18% in state government. The industries page shows the salary index for Professional, Scientific and Technical Services is 114.7, well above the national line. Local government is not listed separately, but public administration typically sits around the national average.

Private sector planners often earn more than their public sector counterparts, especially in consulting firms that service large development projects. The PIA survey found average base salaries of $120,895 for men and $114,397 for women, indicating a gender pay gap even within the profession.

Putting It All Together

A typical town planner salary in Australia ranges from around $90,000 for early-career roles to over $150,000 for senior or principal planners in private practice. The median sits at about $120,000, or index 111. Your actual pay will depend on your state, industry, and experience.

For more context, see our pay guides for related professions, or explore how how the index works to compare other occupations. If you’re considering a move, check the states page for cost-of-living differences.

Outlook for Town Planners

Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts 16,200 planning roles in 2026, up 18.6% from 2021. With strong demand and a growing profession, town planner salaries are likely to keep pace with or exceed national earnings growth. The PIA report found 58% of planners are very happy with their career, and only 2% of graduates in the field are unemployed. This is a solid profession with above-average pay.

FAQs

What is the average town planner salary in Australia?

Based on ABS data (May 2025), the median full-time weekly earnings for urban and regional planners is $2,316, which annualises to about $120,432. This gives a salary index of 111, meaning planners earn 11% more than the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark of $108,352. However, the Planning Institute of Australia's 2021 survey reported a lower median of $2,177 per week (index 104.5). Actual salaries vary by state, industry, and experience.

Are town planners covered by an award?

Town planners employed in local government are covered by the Local Government Industry Award. For planners not in local government, there is no specific award; they are award-free and entitled only to the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour from July 2026) and the National Employment Standards. The Miscellaneous Award does not apply because it has no classification for professional employees.

How does town planner salary differ by state?

Jobs and Skills Australia data shows that 36.4% of planners work in New South Wales, 24.4% in Victoria, and 19.9% in Queensland. While state-specific median earnings are not published, the overall salary index for each state provides context: Western Australia (106.9), ACT (109.9), and NSW (101.2) are above the national line, while Tasmania (88.6) and South Australia (94.6) are below. Planners in higher-index states may earn more, but local government pay scales and private sector demand also play a role.