Weekly Salary Calculator: Compare Your Pay Across States and Industries

What is a weekly salary calculator?

A weekly salary calculator is a tool that converts your annual or hourly pay into a weekly figure and compares it to national benchmarks. In Australia, the key benchmark is the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which the Australian Bureau of Statistics sets at $2,083.70 per week (annualised $108,352). This figure is given an index of 100. Your own weekly salary can be expressed as an index number: divide your yearly gross pay by $108,352 and multiply by 100. For example, a salary of $70,000 gives an index of about 64.6, meaning you earn roughly 65% of the national average.

But a simple index number only tells part of the story. Where you live and what industry you work in can dramatically change what is typical or expected. That is why a good weekly salary calculator also lets you compare your pay against state and industry averages. Salary Index provides these comparisons using the latest ABS data.

State differences in weekly pay

Australia’s states and territories have different economic structures, cost of living, and industry mixes, which show up in average weekly earnings. The ABS data used in the Salary Index gives each state an index number relative to the national line of 100.

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

If you live in Tasmania and earn $96,000 a year, your index is about 88.6 – exactly the state average. But if you earn the same amount in the ACT, your index would be 88.6, which is well below the ACT average of 109.9. A weekly salary calculator that accounts for your state can show you whether your pay is above or below the local norm. For more details, see our states page.

Industry differences in weekly pay

Industry is often a bigger factor than location. Some industries pay far above the national line, while others lag behind. The Salary Index uses ABS industry averages:

• Mining: 154.7 – annualised $167,600
• Professional, scientific and technical: 114.7 – $124,300
• Education and training: 105.5 – $114,300
• Health care and social assistance: 97.8 – $106,000
• Retail trade: 75.9 – $82,200
• Accommodation and food services: 72.5 – $78,600

Consider a retail worker in Tasmania earning $50,000 a year. Their index is 46.1, which is below both the national line (100) and the state average (88.6). But it is also below the retail industry average of 75.9. A weekly salary calculator that includes industry data can help that worker see how their pay compares to others in the same field across Australia. For more industry benchmarks, visit our industries page.

How the index works in practice

The Salary Index uses gross ordinary-time earnings before tax and super. It is not a quote for any specific job or award classification. Modern awards can set higher minimum rates than the national minimum wage. For example, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week, index 48.2). But a retail award might pay $28 per hour for a level 2 employee. That would give a weekly salary of $1,064 (based on 38 hours), index 51.1 – still well below the retail industry average of 75.9.

Superannuation is also important. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on earnings up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. When using a weekly salary calculator, remember that your take-home pay will be less than your gross because of tax and the Medicare levy (2% for most residents). For the 2026–27 financial year, tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. These rates exclude the Medicare levy. A good calculator will estimate your net weekly pay.

Using a weekly salary calculator to plan your career

If you are considering a move between states or industries, a weekly salary calculator can help you compare potential earnings. For example, a professional in Victoria earning $110,000 (index 101.5) might move to Western Australia and find similar roles pay $115,000 (index 106.1). But the cost of living may differ. Similarly, a hospitality worker in Queensland earning $55,000 (index 50.8) could look at mining jobs in WA that pay $90,000 (index 83.0) – a significant jump, though the work and conditions are very different.

Remember that the index figures are averages. Your actual pay depends on your specific role, experience, and employer. Awards and enterprise agreements can set higher rates. For example, junior employees have lower minimum wages: under 16 years $9.73 per hour, 16 years $12.51, 17 years $15.28, 18 years $18.06, 19 years $21.81, 20 years $25.83. These are based on the adult national minimum wage multiplied by percentages from National Minimum Wage Orders. Modern awards may set different junior rates.

Putting it all together

A weekly salary calculator is more than a simple conversion tool. When it includes state and industry benchmarks, it becomes a powerful way to understand where your pay sits in the broader Australian labour market. Start by entering your annual gross salary or weekly pay. Then compare your index to the national line of 100, your state average, and your industry average. This can reveal whether you are paid fairly relative to others in similar circumstances.

For a deeper explanation of how the index is calculated, see how the index works. For more topics on Australian pay, visit our topics page. And if you want to explore specific pay guides, check out our pay guides section.

Remember: the figures in this article are benchmarks, not personalised advice. Always check your award or agreement for your exact minimum entitlements. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides official pay tools and advice.