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Salary Benchmarks by Industry — Australia 2026
Median and percentile salaries across 12 Australian industries. Base salary only, excluding super. Updated for 2026.
Sources: ABS Employee Earnings, Seek Salary Insights, LinkedIn Salary, industry surveys 2024–25
| Industry | 25th %ile | Median | 75th %ile |
|---|---|---|---|
💻Technology & Software | $82k | $115k | $155k |
🏦Finance & Banking | $72k | $110k | $162k |
⚙️Engineering | $78k | $105k | $140k |
⚖️Legal | $65k | $100k | $185k |
🏥Healthcare (clinical) | $68k | $95k | $130k |
🔨Construction & Trades | $70k | $90k | $115k |
🏛️Public Service | $62k | $85k | $115k |
📢Marketing & Comms | $58k | $82k | $118k |
🎓Education | $62k | $80k | $100k |
📋Healthcare (admin) | $55k | $72k | $92k |
🛍️Retail & Hospitality | $46k | $55k | $68k |
🚛Manufacturing & Logistics | $58k | $75k | $95k |
How to read these figures
25th %ile = 1 in 4 workers in this industry earns less than this. Median = midpoint. 75th %ile = 1 in 4 earns more than this. Figures are base salary only — add 12% for total package with super.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I use salary benchmarks to negotiate a pay rise?
Come to the conversation with data, not feelings. Use industry benchmarks from Seek Salary Insights, LinkedIn Salary, Glassdoor, and industry association surveys. Present the market range for your role, your position within that range, and your performance evidence. Asking 'based on market data my role is typically valued at $X — can we discuss aligning my salary?' is more effective than 'I feel underpaid'.
Are these salaries base salary or total package?
The figures on this page are base salary only (excluding super). Total package adds 12% super on top. Some industries (finance, tech) also include significant bonuses — those aren't captured in base salary benchmarks. When comparing offers, always normalise to base salary + super to make a fair comparison.
Why do salaries vary so much within the same industry?
Key factors: seniority and years of experience, company size (larger companies typically pay more), location (Sydney and Melbourne typically 15–25% higher than other cities), specialisation (niche skills command a premium), and sector (private vs public, startup vs enterprise). The same job title can genuinely vary by $50,000+ between a startup and a major bank.