Web Developer Salary in Australia: State and Industry Differences

What does 'web developer salary' mean in Australia?

When people search for a web developer salary, they usually want to know what a typical web developer earns – the median, the range, and how it compares to other jobs. In Australia, pay data for web developers is patchy because the occupation is small (about 9,000 workers, according to ) and often grouped with other ICT roles. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a separate median for web developers at the six-digit ANZSCO level. Instead, we look at the broader ICT Professionals category, which had median weekly earnings of $2,300 in August 2025 (). That annualises to about $119,600 – an index of roughly 110 on the Salary Index, meaning 10% above the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings line of $108,352.

But a single number hides the real story. Where you work – both the state and the industry – can shift that figure significantly. This article uses the Salary Index to explain those differences.

State differences in web developer pay

The Salary Index benchmarks each state’s full-time adult ordinary-time earnings against the national line (100). For a web developer, these indices hint at how location affects pay:

• Australian Capital Territory – index 109.9 (annualised $119,090)
• Western Australia – index 106.9 ($115,825)
• New South Wales – index 101.2 ($109,658)
• Victoria – index 98.0 ($106,137)
• Queensland – index 97.9 ($106,064)
• Northern Territory – index 95.2 ($103,173)
• South Australia – index 94.6 ($102,450)
• Tasmania – index 88.6 ($96,008)

A web developer in Canberra or Perth is likely to earn more than one in Hobart or Adelaide, reflecting the cost of living and demand for tech skills. For example, a developer on the national median for ICT Professionals ($119,600) would be above the ACT index but below WA’s – meaning their pay goes further in a lower-index state but may be less competitive in a high-index one. Check the states page for more detail.

Industry differences

Web developers work across several industries. The industries page shows how each sector compares to the national line:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services – index 114.7 (annualised $124,300)
• Information Media and Telecommunications – index 76.3 ($82,700)
• Financial and Insurance Services – index 114.2 ($123,700)
• Education and Training – index 105.5 ($114,300)

Most web developers are employed in Professional Services (including IT consulting) and Information Media. The gap is wide: a developer in a tech consultancy might earn $124,300 (index 114.7), while one in a media company might earn $82,700 (index 76.3). That’s a difference of over $40,000 a year. The ABS industry data for August 2025 shows Professional, Scientific and Technical Services median weekly earnings of $1,897, while Information Media and Telecommunications was $1,567 (). These are broad medians, but they set the scene.

How the Salary Index works

The Salary Index expresses yearly gross pay as a number where 100 equals the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings – $2,083.70 per week or $108,352 annualised. If your web developer salary is $120,000, your index is about 111. If it’s $90,000, your index is 83. This makes it easy to compare across states and industries without juggling dollar figures. For a full explanation, see how the index works.

Awards and minimums

Web developers are not covered by a single award. Many fall under the Professional Employees Award 2020, which sets minimum rates for ICT professionals. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database lists these rates, but they are well below market pay. For example, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour (index 48.2). Most web developers earn well above that. The award floor for entry-level professionals is around $25.74 per hour, but experienced developers command much more. Superannuation is 12% from 1 July 2026, and tax rates for 2026–27 start at nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Medicare levy adds 2%.

Putting it together

A web developer salary in Australia is not a single figure. It depends on where you live and which industry you work in. Using the Salary Index, you can see that a developer in Canberra’s Professional Services sector might have an index around 115, while one in Tasmania’s Information Media sector might be below 90. The national ICT Professionals median of $2,300/week (index ~110) is a useful starting point, but your actual pay will vary. For more context, explore the topics page or read our pay guides for related roles.