The latest ABS Average Weekly Earnings release confirms that full-time adult workers in Australia now earn a median of $2,129 per week, or approximately $110,708 per year. The 2025 H2 data reveals significant — and widening — variation between states and territories.
The state divide
Western Australia leads the nation at $2,304 per week, powered by mining sector wages, followed closely by the ACT at $2,285 (driven by public service and professional roles). At the other end, Tasmania trails at $1,890 per week — a gap of over $21,500 per year. The difference between the highest and lowest states has grown by nearly $3,000 annually over the past two years.
Wages vs inflation
Real wage growth turning positive for the first time in three years means the typical full-time worker is finally gaining ground on cost-of-living pressures. With the Wage Price Index at 3.8% and prices growing more slowly, the average worker is seeing a real gain of roughly 1.4% — the first meaningful increase in purchasing power since 2021. But many are still catching up from the 2022–2024 erosion period, where cumulative real wage losses exceeded 5%. The headline improvement is real; the recovery is not yet complete.
Industry breakdown
The industry divide remains stark. Mining continues to pay the highest median wages in the country, followed by professional services and financial services. At the other end, food services and retail remain the lowest-paid industries — a gap that contributes to recruitment challenges in hospitality and frontline retail roles.