Warehouse manager salary in Australia: where it sits on the national pay index

Where a warehouse manager salary sits on the Australian salary index

If you are trying to work out where a warehouse manager salary sits against the national line, the first thing to know is the benchmark. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. That annualises to $108,352 and is what we call index 100. Every dollar you earn above or below that line moves your personal index up or down.

For a warehouse manager, the pay picture is not as simple as a single number. There is no official ABS occupation-specific figure for warehouse managers in the latest data. What we do have are award classifications, state indices, and industry benchmarks that help you place the role on the scale.

Awards and minimum rates

Most warehouse managers in Australia are covered by the Storage Services and Wholesale Award [MA000084] or, in some cases, the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award [MA000010]. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for these awards that set minimum hourly rates for each classification. Managerial roles typically fall into higher classifications, but the exact rate depends on the level of responsibility, number of staff supervised, and the type of warehouse.

From 1 July 2026, award minimum rates rose by 4.75%. The national minimum wage itself is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week (index 48.2). A warehouse manager would almost certainly be paid above that, but without a specific classification rate from the search results, we cannot give a precise figure. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database includes classification data, but the provided extract only lists the database structure, not the actual rates.

Using the salary index as a guide

Even without a hard number, you can estimate where a warehouse manager salary might land. The median weekly earnings for all employees in Australia was $1,436 in August 2024 (ABS Employee Earnings and Hours), which annualises to about $74,672. That gives an index of 68.9. A warehouse manager earning that amount would be well below the national line. However, managers typically earn more than the median employee. If a warehouse manager earns $90,000 per year, the index is 83.1. At $100,000 per year gives an index of 92.3. To reach the national line of 100, you would need to earn $108,352.

Warehouse managers in certain states and industries can push higher. The state indices range from Tasmania at 88.6 in Tasmania to 109.9 in the ACT. A warehouse manager in Western Australia (index 106.9) might earn more due to the mining industry influence, which has an index of 154.7. Conversely, retail trade index 75.9 suggests a warehouse manager in a retail warehouse may be lower.

Real-world examples and take-home pay

Consider a warehouse manager in a large distribution centre in Victoria (state index 98.0). If the manager earns $95,000 per year, index 87.7. After tax (2026–27 rates: nil to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 15% to $18,200; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above $190,000; plus 2% Medicare levy). For $95,000, tax is about $19,267 plus Medicare levy $1,900, leaving about $73,833. That is index 68.1 on take-home, but the index is based on gross ordinary-time earnings.

A warehouse manager in a small business may earn less, perhaps $80,000, index 73.8. A senior warehouse manager in a large logistics firm in Western Australia could earn $115,000, index 106.1.

What the research says

The search results from the ABS and Fair Work Ombudsman confirm that award coverage exists but do not give a specific warehouse manager salary. The ABS Monthly Employee Earnings Indicator shows total wages and salaries paid in June 2026 were $109,230 million, but that is aggregate. The Employee Earnings and Hours survey gives median hourly earnings of $42.90 for all employees, but not by occupation.

For a warehouse manager, the best approach is to check the applicable award pay guide and then compare with industry benchmarks. The industries page on this site can help you see where your industry sits. For example, if your industry is retail trade (index 75.9) or manufacturing (not given but likely around 90–100), that gives a clue.

Key takeaways

• The national line is $108,352 per year (index 100).
• A warehouse manager salary likely falls between index 70 and 110, depending on award, location, and experience.
• Award minimums are set by the Fair Work Commission and updated each July.
• State and industry indices provide a useful benchmark for comparison.
• Use the Salary Index to calculate your own index and see where you stand.

For more detail on how the index is calculated, see how the index works. And for a full list of award pay guides, visit the pay guides page.