What's my salary? Compare your pay with state and industry benchmarks

What's my salary? A simple way to see where you stand

If you've ever asked yourself "whats my salary" compared to other Australians, you're not alone. The answer isn't always obvious because pay varies hugely by state, industry, and whether you're covered by an award or enterprise agreement. The Salary Index cuts through that by giving you a single number: your index. It's your yearly gross salary divided by the national line (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings) times 100. The national line is $108,352 a year, based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026.

So if you earn $80,000, your index is about 74. If you earn $130,000, it's about 120. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $52,255 a year, which gives an index of 48.2. That's the floor for adults not covered by an award. But most people are covered by a modern award or agreement that sets higher rates.

State differences: where you live matters

Your postcode can shift your index by more than 20 points. The ABS data shows full-time adult ordinary-time earnings by state:

• ACT: $2,290.20 per week, index 109.9 (annualised $119,090)
• WA: $2,227.40 per week, index 106.9 ($115,825)
• NSW: $2,108.80 per week, index 101.2 ($109,658)
• Vic: $2,041.10 per week, index 98.0 ($106,137)
• Qld: $2,039.70 per week, index 97.9 ($106,064)
• NT: $1,984.10 per week, index 95.2 ($103,173)
• SA: $1,970.20 per week, index 94.6 ($102,450)
• Tas: $1,846.30 per week, index 88.6 ($96,008)

If you live in Tasmania and earn $96,000, you're right on the state average. But if you move to the ACT, the same pay would be below the local average. That's why asking "whats my salary" without context can be misleading. The states page breaks this down further.

Industry differences: your sector changes the picture

Industry has an even bigger impact. The ABS lists average weekly ordinary-time earnings for full-time adults by industry. Here are a few examples:

• Mining: $3,224.20 per week, index 154.7
• Professional, scientific & technical services: $2,389.60 per week, index 114.7
• Education & training: $2,197.90 per week, index 105.5
• Health care & social assistance: $2,037.20 per week, index 97.8
• Retail trade: $1,581.60 per week, index 75.9
• Accommodation & food services: $1,509.90 per week, index 72.5

A retail worker earning $80,000 is actually above the industry average (index about 74 vs industry index 75.9). But a mining worker on $80,000 is well below the industry average. The industries page has the full list.

How to use the index for your own pay

Start with your gross annual salary. If you're paid hourly, multiply by your usual weekly hours and by 52. For casuals, include the loading if it's part of your base rate. Then divide by $108,352 and multiply by 100. That's your index.

But remember: the index is a benchmark, not a target. Award rates, enterprise agreements, and individual contracts all set legal minimums. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award, showing minimum rates for classifications. From 1 July 2026, award minima rose by 4.75%. The national minimum wage for award-free employees is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week.

What about take-home pay?

Your index is gross. To estimate take-home, you need to subtract tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026–27, resident tax rates (excluding Medicare) are:

• Nil up to $18,200
• 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
• 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
• 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
• 45% on income above $190,000

Plus a flat 2% Medicare levy. These figures ignore HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge. So a single person earning $80,000 would pay roughly $16,267 in tax plus $1,600 Medicare, leaving about $62,133 take-home. That's an index of 74 gross, but a take-home index of about 57 (take-home divided by $108,352).

Why the index helps answer "whats my salary"

Instead of comparing raw dollars, the index lets you see where your pay sits relative to the national average, your state average, and your industry average. It's a tool, not a verdict. If your index is below 100, you're earning less than the typical full-time adult. If it's above, you're earning more. But context matters: a retail worker on index 80 might be doing well for their industry, while a professional on index 80 might be underpaid.

For more detail on how the index is calculated, see how the index works. And if you want to explore specific topics like junior rates or superannuation, check the topics page.

A quick example

Let's say you're a full-time nurse in Queensland earning $85,000 a year. Your index is 85,000 / 108,352 × 100 = 78.5. The health care industry index is 97.8, so you're below the industry average. Queensland's state index is 97.9, so you're also below the state average. That doesn't mean you're underpaid – your award classification and experience matter – but it gives you a starting point for a conversation with your employer or union.

If you're a casual hospitality worker in Sydney earning $30 per hour (including casual loading) for 30 hours a week, your annualised gross is about $46,800. Index = 43.2. That's below the national minimum wage index of 48.2, but casual loading is meant to compensate for lack of leave. The accommodation and food services industry index is 72.5, so your pay is well below the industry average for full-time workers. Again, the index is a benchmark, not a judgment.

Final thought

The question "whats my salary" is really about understanding your position in the labour market. The Salary Index gives you a number you can use to compare across states, industries, and time. Use it alongside award rates, enterprise agreements, and your own career goals. And remember: the index is based on gross ordinary-time earnings, not total remuneration including super. Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, but that's on top of your salary, not part of it.

If you're unsure about your award or minimum entitlement, the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool is the best place to start. The index is a complement, not a replacement.