Average salary by age in Australia
ABS Employee Earnings and Hours data for May 2025 shows that average weekly total cash earnings rise sharply through the early and middle career years, then soften a little in the 55+ group. For all employees, the highest average weekly earnings were in the 45 to 54 age group at $1,978.80 a week.
Average salary by age table: all employees
| Age group | Average weekly earnings | Simple annualised equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 20 years and under | $510.8 | $26,562 |
| 21 to 34 years | $1,412.3 | $73,440 |
| 35 to 44 years | $1,877.6 | $97,635 |
| 45 to 54 years | $1,978.8 | $102,898 |
| 55 years and over | $1,711.4 | $88,993 |
| All ages | $1,611.1 | $83,777 |
Annualised figures above are simple weekly × 52 conversions to make salary comparisons easier. The ABS source itself reports weekly earnings.
Full-time employees by age
Full-time averages are materially higher than all-employee averages because the all-employee figures include part-time work. The same broad age pattern still appears: earnings tend to climb through the 30s and 40s before easing in the oldest age group.
| Age group | Full-time average weekly earnings | Simple annualised equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 20 years and under | $1,111.1 | $57,777 |
| 21 to 34 years | $1,830.9 | $95,207 |
| 35 to 44 years | $2,309.8 | $120,110 |
| 45 to 54 years | $2,416.6 | $125,663 |
| 55 years and over | $2,223.6 | $115,627 |
| All ages | $2,130.6 | $110,791 |
How to use these numbers properly
- Use the table as a context benchmark, not as a promise about what you should earn.
- Industry, hours, seniority, gender mix, occupation and location all affect the result.
- The calculator lets you translate an age-benchmark number into after-tax pay, with HELP, MLS and super settings switched on where relevant.
If you are trying to judge whether your pay is “normal for your age”, compare your role, hours and city first. Age tables are best used as a starting point, not a final verdict.
Frequently asked questions
Which age group earns the most on this page?
In the ABS May 2025 age breakdown used here, employees aged 45 to 54 had the highest average weekly total cash earnings.
Why are there two tables?
The all-employees table includes part-time work. The full-time table helps readers compare against a more salary-like benchmark.
Why are the annual figures approximate?
Because they are simple weekly-to-annual conversions based on the ABS weekly data.