Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia

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Includes earnings and hours statistics for characteristics such as industry, occupation, sex, age, full-time/part-time, and method of setting pay

Reference period
May 2018
Released
22/01/2019

Key statistics

  • Median weekly earnings were $1,110 for all employees, $1,463 for full-time employees and $577 for part-time employees.
  • Individual arrangements was the most common method of setting pay (41.1%), followed by collective agreements (37.9%) and award only (21.0%).

All employees

Key results by category

The diagram below shows for employees in scope of the May 2018 Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, the proportion of employees by category of employee.

Diagram of Employee Earnings and Hours survey scope and composition
This diagram is illustrating employees in scope for the Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours and the proportion of employees by category of employee. The diagram is a hierarchical tree starting with all employed persons. This splits down to Employees and Self-employed persons. Employees then splits down to employees in scope of the survey which totals to 100% of the estimate and employees outside the scope of the survey. A note is present advising that the proportions listed for employees in scope of the survey are based on unrounded estimates and may sum to more than 100%. A note is present for employees who are out of scope of the survey that further information regarding scope can be found in paragraph 6 and 7 of the Explanatory notes within the Employee earnings and hours methodology page. Employees in scope for the survey then splits down to full-time and part-time employees. Full-time employees comprise 60.2% of the total employees. 5.9% of those employees were managerial and of those 4.4% were male and 1.5% were female. 54.3% of employees were full-time non-managerial of which 51.2% were permanent or fixed term (30.8% male, 20.4% female) while 3.1% were casual (2.2% male, 0.9% female). Part-time employees comprise 39.8% of the total employees. 1.0% of those employees were managerial and of those 0.4% were male and 0.6% were female. 38.9% of employees were part-time non-managerial of which 20.0% were permanent or fixed term (4.7% male, 15.2% female) while 18.9% were casual (7.3% male, 11.6% female).
  1. Proportions are based on unrounded estimates. Components may sum to more than 100%
  2. See paragraphs 6 and 7 of the Explanatory notes in the Methodology.



In May 2018 there were 10,647,200 employees, of whom 49.9% were male and 50.1% were female. Average weekly total cash earnings was $1,288.70 for all employees, $1,525.40 for male employees and $1,053.30 for female employees. The average age of all employees was 39.8 years.

Full-time employees made up 60.2% of all employees, had average weekly total cash earnings of $1,699.20 and had an average age of 41.0 years. Part-time employees accounted for 39.8% of all employees, had average weekly total cash earnings of $668.30 and had an average age of 38.1 years.

Male employees were predominantly full-time (75.1% of male employees). Full-time males had average weekly total cash earnings of $1,810.90 and an average age of 41.1 years. Part-time male employees had average weekly total cash earnings of $666.00 and were, on average, younger than full-time males with an average age of 36.1 years.

More female employees were employed part-time (54.6%) than full-time (45.4%). Average weekly total cash earnings was $1,515.60 for full-time females and $669.30 for part-time females. There was a smaller gap in the average ages of full-time females (40.8 years) and part-time females (39.0 years) than their male counterparts.

The majority of employees (78.0%) were employed on a permanent or fixed term basis. In May 2018, these employees had average weekly total cash earnings of $1,469.20. Average weekly total cash earnings was $1,692.60 for males employed on a permanent or fixed term basis and $1,229.50 for female permanent or fixed term employees.

Casual employees accounted for 22.0% of employees and had average weekly total cash earnings of $649.20. Male casual employees had average weekly total cash earnings of $814.20 and represent 19.0% of total male employees. Male casual employees had an average age of 34.2 years, younger than the average age of female casual employees (35.0 years). Female casual employees had average weekly total cash earnings of $524.30 and represent 25.0% of total female employees.

The majority of employees were aged 35 years and over (60.2%). Employees aged 20 years and under comprised 6.9% of all employees. Average weekly total cash earnings were highest for employees aged 45 to 54 years of age ($1,544.20) and were lowest for employees aged 20 years and under ($383.70).

All employees, average weekly total cash earnings, number of employees - age category, May 2018

 AVERAGE WEEKLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES ('000)
20 years and under383.70737.8
21 to 34 years1 127.603 496.6
35 to 44 years1 503.702 320.9
45 to 54 years1 544.202 255.2
55 years and over1 373.401 836.6
All ages1 288.7010 647.2

Occupation

Among major occupation groups, Managers had both the highest average weekly total cash earnings ($2,424.50) and the highest average age (45.9 years). Sales workers had the lowest average weekly total cash earnings ($735.90) and average age (33.7 years). Managers comprised 7.1% of all employees and Sales workers comprised 11.7% of all employees.

The largest proportion of employees were Professionals (22.0%) who received average weekly total cash earnings of $1,751.40 and had an average age of 41.9 years. The smallest proportion of employees were Machinery operators and drivers (6.6%) who received average weekly total cash earnings of $1,355.10 and had an average age of 42.8 years.

Industry

Average weekly total cash earnings was highest for employees in the Mining industry ($2,674.80), who represented 1.6% of all employees and had an average age of 41.7 years. The lowest average weekly total cash earnings was for employees in the Accommodation and food services industry ($616.20), who represented 7.5% of employees and had the lowest average age of all industries (30.1 years).

The largest proportion of employees were in the Health care and social assistance industry (13.8%), who received average weekly total cash earnings of $1,176.50 and had an average age of 42.6 years. Employees in the Public administration and safety industry had the highest average age (44.5 years).

States and territories

The average weekly total cash earnings of all employees was highest in the Australian Capital Territory ($1,517.20). The average weekly total cash earnings of all employees was lowest in Tasmania ($1,092.30) and South Australia ($1,153.40).

Sector

Average weekly total cash earnings for all employees was higher in the public sector ($1,552.80) than in the private sector ($1,227.10). Private sector employees comprised 81.1% of all employees and public sector employees comprised 18.9% of all employees. The average age of public sector employees was 44.6 years, older than that of their private sector counterparts (38.7 years).

Method of setting pay

Employees on Award or Collective agreement accounted for 58.9% of all employees in May 2018. Employees paid by Individual arrangement accounted for 37.3% of all employees with the remaining 3.8% of employees being Owner managers of incorporated enterprises.

Employer size

Businesses with under 20 employees employed 22.3% of all employees excluding Owner managers of incorporated enterprises and 40.9% of employees paid at the apprentice or trainee rate. Average weekly total cash earnings for all rates of pay was lowest in businesses with under 20 employees ($917.30) and highest in businesses with 100 to 999 employees ($1,440.40).

Distribution of earnings for all employees

Weekly total cash earnings, employment status

Median weekly total cash earnings was $1,500.00 for all full-time employees paid at the adult rate, and $1,463.00 for all full-time employees. The lowest paid 10% of all full-time employees paid at the adult rate received weekly total cash earnings of $925.00 or less, and the highest paid 10% received $2,771.00 or more.

The inter quartile range (i.e. the middle 50%) of weekly total cash earnings for all full-time employees paid the adult rate was from $1,125.00 to $2,068.00, or for all full-time employees was from $1,093.00 to $2,044.00.

Median weekly total cash earnings for all part-time employees was $577.00. One in 10 part-time employees received weekly total cash earnings of $138.00 or less, and one in 10 part-time employees received $1,244.00 or more.

All employees, distribution of weekly total cash earnings - employment status, May 2018

 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEESFULL-TIME EMPLOYEESPART-TIME EMPLOYEESALL EMPLOYEES
Paid at  the adult rate of payTotalTotalTotal
ESTIMATE
WEEKLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)(a)   
 Deciles and quartiles    
  10th Percentile925.00890.00138.00312.00
  20th Percentile1 057.001 028.00255.00560.00
  25th Percentile (1st quartile)1 125.001 093.00314.00682.00
  30th Percentile1 190.001 155.00369.00781.00
  40th Percentile1 332.001 305.00474.00954.00
  50th Percentile (median) (2nd quartile)1 500.001 463.00577.001 110.00
  60th Percentile1 696.001 661.00694.001 296.00
  70th Percentile1 924.001 916.00808.001 538.00
  75th Percentile (3rd quartile)2 068.002 044.00880.001 686.00
  80th Percentile2 217.002 203.00969.001 875.00
  90th Percentile2 771.002 739.001 244.002 367.00
  Average weekly total cash earnings1 730.601 699.20668.301 288.70
STANDARD ERROR
WEEKLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)   
 Deciles and quartiles    
  10th Percentile6.006.104.408.40
  20th Percentile3.106.507.108.80
  25th Percentile (1st quartile)6.107.207.6010.60
  30th Percentile7.705.607.408.80
  40th Percentile7.806.907.506.60
  50th Percentile (median) (2nd quartile)9.3011.608.409.40
  60th Percentile12.1013.907.909.10
  70th Percentile9.807.808.108.30
  75th Percentile (3rd quartile)11.8013.408.4014.50
  80th Percentile12.1010.009.8014.00
  90th Percentile24.0025.9013.9020.00
  Average weekly total cash earnings9.609.707.209.10

a. Percentiles are based on whole dollars only. 

Non-managerial employees

Data on hours paid for is available for all employees in the non-managerial population. This enables analysis and comparisons of hours paid for and hourly earnings across classifications of interest, with the effect of managerial earnings and hours removed. For example, average weekly total cash earnings may be identical for two categories of employees, however employees in one category may be paid for fewer hours per week and receive higher average hourly earnings.

Key results by category

In May 2018, non-managerial employees received average weekly total cash earnings of $1,227.30. They were paid for an average 31.4 hours per week at an average hourly total cash earnings rate of $39.10.

Permanent full-time non-managerial employees were paid for an average 39.3 hours per week at an average hourly total cash earnings rate of $41.70 and received $1,638.50 average weekly total cash earnings. These employees comprised 54.9% of all non-managerial employees.

Permanent part-time non-managerial employees comprised 21.4% of all non-managerial employees. They were paid for an average of 23.7 total hours per week at an average hourly total cash earnings rate of $34.20, resulting in average weekly total cash earnings of $810.90.

Casual non-managerial employees comprised 23.6% of all non-managerial employees. These employees were paid for an average of 19.9 total hours per week at an average hourly total cash earnings rate of $32.60 to receive average weekly total cash earnings of $649.00.

Permanent full-time males represented 33.1% of all non-managerial employees. They were paid for an average of 40.1 total hours per week at an hourly cash rate of $43.60 to receive average weekly total cash earnings of $1,751.50.

Permanent full-time females represented 21.9% of all non-managerial employees. These employees were paid for an average of 38.0 total hours per week at an hourly cash rate of $38.60 to receive $1,467.60 average weekly total cash earnings.

In this graph "permanent" includes both permanent and fixed term employees.
 

Occupation

Managers had the highest average hourly total cash earnings ($60.40), followed by Professionals ($54.00), of all non-managerial employees. Managers were, on average, paid for more total hours per week than Professionals (37.0 hours and 32.1 hours respectively). Managers received average weekly total cash earnings of $2,235.10 compared to $1,730.50 for Professionals. For more information on how the ABS categorises managers as managerial or non-managerial, please refer to Methodology paragraphs 29 and 30.

Sales workers had the lowest average hourly total cash earnings ($28.50) and were paid for an average of 25.6 total hours per week. As a result they also received the lowest average weekly total cash earnings ($729.40) of all occupation groups.

Labourers had the second lowest average hourly total cash earnings ($29.50) and were paid for an average of 29.6 total hours per week. They received higher average weekly total cash earnings ($873.30) than Community and personal services workers ($815.50), who received higher average hourly total cash earnings ($32.00) but were paid for the lowest average total hours of all occupation groups (25.5 hours).

Non-managerial employees, average weekly total hours paid for, average hourly total cash earnings and average weekly total cash earnings - occupation, May 2018

 AVERAGE WEEKLY TOTAL HOURS PAID FOR (hours)AVERAGE HOURLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)AVERAGE WEEKLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)
ESTIMATE
Managers37.060.402 235.10
Professionals32.154.001 730.50
Technicians and trades workers37.738.001 432.60
Community and personal service workers25.532.00815.50
Clerical and administrative workers32.034.001 086.90
Sales workers25.628.50729.40
Machinery operators and drivers38.835.001 360.70
Labourers29.629.50873.30
All occupations31.439.101 227.30
STANDARD ERROR
Managers0.20.9033.90
Professionals0.20.4017.20
Technicians and trades workers0.30.6026.40
Community and personal service workers0.40.3013.40
Clerical and administrative workers0.20.2010.00
Sales workers0.30.3013.10
Machinery operators and drivers0.40.5029.00
Labourers0.50.5026.00
All occupations0.10.209.30

 

​​​​​​​Industry

For all non-managerial employees, those in the Mining industry had the highest average hourly total cash earnings ($60.60) and average weekly total hours paid for (43.5 hours), resulting in the highest average weekly total cash earnings ($2,635.90).

Non-managerial employees in the Accommodation and food services industry had the lowest average hourly total cash earnings ($25.90) and average weekly total hours paid for (22.6 hours), resulting in the lowest average weekly total cash earnings ($584.70).

Non-managerial employees, average weekly total hours paid for, average hourly total cash earnings and average weekly total cash earnings - industry, May 2018

 AVERAGE WEEKLY TOTAL HOURS PAID FOR (hours)AVERAGE HOURLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)AVERAGE WEEKLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)
ESTIMATE
Mining43.560.602 635.90
Manufacturing36.535.101 280.90
Electricity, gas, water and waste services38.648.801 885.90
Construction39.140.001 560.90
Wholesale trade35.735.801 279.50
Retail trade27.028.40765.80
Accommodation and food services22.625.90584.70
Transport, postal and warehousing37.337.701 406.10
Information media and telecommunications34.247.001 607.50
Finance and insurance services34.848.101 673.80
Rental, hiring and real estate services32.534.401 117.00
Professional, scientific and technical services34.746.101 600.40
Administrative and support services31.636.401 150.10
Public administration and safety34.044.201 500.50
Education and training27.345.401 241.80
Health care and social assistance28.240.501 139.00
Arts and recreation services23.735.40838.30
Other services30.731.10954.20
All industries31.439.101 227.30
STANDARD ERROR
Mining0.61.1043.40
Manufacturing0.50.6030.50
Electricity, gas, water and waste services0.30.6029.30
Construction0.61.1056.40
Wholesale trade0.50.8040.70
Retail trade0.50.4020.20
Accommodation and food services0.60.4021.00
Transport, postal and warehousing0.50.7035.90
Information media and telecommunications0.41.2046.90
Finance and insurance services0.31.1039.30
Rental, hiring and real estate services0.70.8036.90
Professional, scientific and technical services0.41.1044.90
Administrative and support services0.51.1041.30
Public administration and safety0.20.4017.90
Education and training0.30.5018.20
Health care and social assistance0.40.5018.80
Arts and recreation services0.91.1044.20
Other services0.70.6032.20
All industries0.10.209.30

 

​​​​​​​Methods of setting pay

Amongst non-managerial employees, the most common method of setting pay was Collective agreement (40.0%). Non-managerial employees paid by Collective agreement had the highest average hourly total cash earnings ($42.00), and were paid for an average 31.0 total hours per week. As a result these employees received average weekly total cash earnings of $1,302.90.

Employees paid by Individual arrangement accounted for 37.5% of non-managerial employees and received the highest average weekly total cash earnings of $1,410.60. They were paid for the highest average total hours per week (34.4 hours) at an average hourly total cash rate of $40.90.

Employees paid by Award only had the lowest average hourly total cash earnings ($29.40), were paid for the lowest average total hours per week (26.8 hours) and received the lowest average weekly total cash earnings ($787.70). These employees accounted for 22.5% of all non-managerial employees.

Non-managerial employees, average weekly total hours paid for, average hourly total cash earnings and average weekly total cash earnings - method of setting pay, May 2018 (a)

 AVERAGE WEEKLY TOTAL HOURS PAID FOR (hours)AVERAGE HOURLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)AVERAGE WEEKLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)
ESTIMATE
Award only26.829.40787.70
Collective agreement(b)31.042.001 302.90
Individual arrangement(c)34.440.901 410.60
All methods of setting pay31.439.101 227.30
STANDARD ERROR
Award only0.30.3011.10
Collective agreement(b)0.20.3015.10
Individual arrangement(c)0.20.3014.50
All methods of setting pay0.10.209.30

a. The non-managerial employee population does not include owner managers of incorporated enterprises.
b. Includes registered and unregistered collective agreements.
c. Includes registered and unregistered individual arrangements.

 

For permanent full-time non-managerial employees, the most common method of setting pay was Individual arrangement (48.1%). Most permanent part-time non-managerial employees were paid by Collective agreement (55.4%). For casual non-managerial employees, Award only (45.3%) was the most common method of setting pay.

The highest average hourly total cash earnings received by non-managerial employees were paid to permanent full-time males under a Collective agreement ($46.40). They were also paid for the highest average weekly total hours (40.3 hours), resulting in the highest average weekly total cash earnings ($1,873.20).

For non-managerial employees, the most common method of setting pay was Individual arrangement (44.2%) for males, and Collective agreement (42.2%) for females.

For all methods of setting pay, average weekly total cash earnings for non-managerial female employees was $1,017.80, which was 70.1% of the average received by non-managerial male employees ($1,451.20).

​​​​​​​Occupation

For non-managerial employees, a Collective agreement was the most common method of setting pay for the following five occupation groups: Professionals (48.1%), Community and personal service workers (45.6%), Sales workers (42.2%), Machinery operators and drivers (41.7%) and Labourers (37.9%).

Individual arrangement was the most common method of setting pay for Managers (59.3%), Clerical and administrative workers (50.4%) and Technicians and trades workers (48.5%).

Award only was not the most common method of setting pay for any occupation group. The occupation groups with the largest proportion of non-managerial employees paid by Award only were Community and personal service workers (38.6%), Labourers (34.6%) and Sales workers (30.4%).

Industry

The industry with the highest proportion of non-managerial employees paid by Award only was the Accommodation and food services industry (44.9%). The Public administration and safety (82.7%) and Education and training (79.5%) industries had the highest proportion of non-managerial employees paid by Collective agreement. The Professional, scientific and technical services (85.6%) and Wholesale trade (69.7%) industries had the highest proportions of employees paid by Individual arrangement.

States and territories

Tasmania had the highest proportion of non-managerial employees whose pay was set by Award only (34.7%). The Australian Capital Territory had the highest proportion of non-managerial employees whose pay was set by Collective agreement (59.5%), and Western Australia had the highest proportion of non-managerial employees whose pay was set by Individual arrangement (41.3%).

For non-managerial employees paid by Collective agreement, the highest average weekly total cash earnings was received by employees in the Northern Territory ($1,615.20) and Australian Capital Territory ($1,545.00). Australian Capital Territory had the highest average weekly total cash earnings for non-managerial employees paid under Individual arrangement ($1,689.10).

Non-managerial employees paid by Award only in the Australian Capital Territory had the lowest average weekly total cash earnings ($551.40) of all states and territories. Of those non-managerial employees paid by Award only, the highest average weekly total cash earnings was received in New South Wales ($898.00).

Sector

For non-managerial employees, the most common method of setting pay in the private sector was Individual arrangement (46.0%), followed by Collective agreement (29.4%). The average weekly total cash earnings for private sector non-managerial employees paid by Individual arrangement was $1,404.90 and by Collective agreement was $1,161.40.

83.1% of employees in the public sector were paid by Collective agreement and earned an average weekly total cash earnings of $1,506.80.

Non-managerial employees paid by Award only made up 24.6% of all non-managerial employees in the private sector and 14.0% of all non-managerial employees in the public sector. Non-managerial employees paid by Award only received average weekly total cash earnings of $693.90 in the private sector and $1,456.90 in the public sector.

Employer size

Of those non-managerial employees paid by Individual arrangement, 37.1% were employed by businesses with under 20 employees. Of all non-managerial employees paid by Award only, 34.2% worked for businesses with under 20 employees. Those non-managerial employees who had their pay set by Collective agreement were mostly employed by businesses with 1,000 and over employees (58.3%).

Non-managerial employees paid by Individual arrangement working for employers with 1,000 and over employees received the highest average weekly total cash earnings ($2,024.40), and those paid by Award only in businesses with under 20 employees received the lowest ($601.20).

Non-managerial employees paid by award only

​​​​​​​Key results by category

Of the 2,232,900 non-managerial employees paid by Award only, 47.6% were casual, 32.2% were permanent full-time and 20.2% were permanent part-time. The average weekly total cash earnings for these employees was $787.70.

The average weekly total cash earnings for permanent full-time non-managerial employees paid by Award only was $1,188.40. They were paid for an average of 38.7 total weekly hours at an average hourly total cash rate of $30.70.

Permanent part-time non-managerial employees paid by Award only were paid for an average of 23.4 total hours a week at an average hourly total cash rate of $28.70. These employees received $671.80 in average weekly total cash earnings.

The average hourly total cash earnings for casual non-managerial employees was $27.90 and they were paid for an average of 20.2 hours. They received $565.70 in average weekly total cash earnings.

Occupation

Community and personal service workers made up the largest proportion of all non-managerial employees paid by Award only, followed by Labourers (23.9% and 17.3% respectively). Average weekly total cash earnings was $671.30 for Community and personal service workers and $632.70 for Labourers.

Non-managerial employees paid by award only, average weekly total cash earnings and number of employees - occupation, May 2018

 AVERAGE WEEKLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES ('000)
ESTIMATE
Managers1 371.0028.2
Professionals1 507.40221.2
Technicians and trades workers829.90269.2
Community and personal service workers671.30533.3
Clerical and administrative workers831.40280.7
Sales workers535.40374.0
Machinery operators and drivers910.50139.3
Labourers632.70387.0
All occupations787.702 232.9
STANDARD ERROR
Managers60.705.7
Professionals46.4016.9
Technicians and trades workers27.6019.3
Community and personal service workers19.5033.6
Clerical and administrative workers21.7017.5
Sales workers14.6026.6
Machinery operators and drivers36.7023.4
Labourers20.5025.4
All occupations11.1075.0

 

​​​​​​​Industry

Employees in the Health care and social assistance industry made up the largest proportion of all non-managerial employees paid by Award only, followed by the Accommodation and food services industry (20.3% and 15.5% respectively). Average weekly total cash earnings was $1,050.30 for employees in the Health care and social assistance industry and $553.40 for employees in the Accommodation and food services industry.

Non-managerial employees paid by award only, average weekly total cash earnings and number of employees - industry, May 2018

 AVERAGE WEEKLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES ('000)
ESTIMATE
Mining1 203.00*1.4
Manufacturing735.70137.3
Electricity, gas, water and waste services878.50*3.9
Construction834.30110.5
Wholesale trade725.5068.0
Retail trade590.00320.2
Accommodation and food services553.40347.0
Transport, postal and warehousing994.6050.1
Information media and telecommunications859.809.8
Finance and insurance services807.5019.1
Rental, hiring and real estate services695.4054.1
Professional, scientific and technical services801.2057.5
Administrative and support services769.50258.1
Public administration and safety1 420.8078.7
Education and training702.30100.1
Health care and social assistance1 050.30452.5
Arts and recreation services426.3035.9
Other services789.40128.5
All industries787.702 232.9
STANDARD ERROR
Mining121.500.7
Manufacturing52.4016.1
Electricity, gas, water and waste services101.701.5
Construction51.9015.5
Wholesale trade36.9011.6
Retail trade21.1024.7
Accommodation and food services22.8034.9
Transport, postal and warehousing75.9010.7
Information media and telecommunications58.901.5
Finance and insurance services124.104.0
Rental, hiring and real estate services33.907.2
Professional, scientific and technical services65.109.6
Administrative and support services36.7026.0
Public administration and safety42.805.4
Education and training34.4011.3
Health care and social assistance32.4034.4
Arts and recreation services51.105.6
Other services46.2014.6
All industries11.1075.0

* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution

 

States and territories

New South Wales had the largest number of non-managerial employees paid by Award only (904,000 employees). This represented 28.5% of all non-managerial employees in New South Wales. These employees received average weekly total cash earnings of $898.00.

Non-managerial employees paid by Award only comprised 34.7% of all non-managerial employees in Tasmania, making this the state or territory with the largest proportion of non-managerial employees paid by Award only. These employees received $845.60 in average weekly total cash earnings.

Non-managerial employees paid by Award only in the Australian Capital Territory received the lowest average weekly total cash earnings ($551.40). These employees accounted for 14.0% of all non-managerial employees in the Australian Capital Territory, the smallest proportion of all non-managerial employees paid by Award only of any state or territory.

Non-managerial employees paid by award only and all non-managerial employees, average weekly total cash earnings and number of employees - states and territories, May 2018

 NON-MANAGERIAL EMPLOYEES PAID BY AWARD ONLYNON-MANAGERIAL EMPLOYEES PAID BY AWARD ONLYALL NON-MANAGERIAL EMPLOYEES
 AVERAGE WEEKLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES ('000)NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES ('000)
ESTIMATE
New South Wales898.00904.03 168.4
Victoria700.20462.92 609.3
Queensland724.60426.71 905.0
South Australia744.90165.0652.2
Western Australia650.80162.11 083.2
Tasmania845.6066.7192.4
Northern Territory770.3017.6107.0
Australian Capital Territory551.4027.8199.1
Australia787.702 232.99 916.5
STANDARD ERROR
New South Wales18.7042.062.1
Victoria25.9041.071.7
Queensland22.0034.146.8
South Australia56.9016.627.7
Western Australia43.4015.831.4
Tasmania28.003.85.4
Northern Territory44.202.53.3
Australian Capital Territory31.304.29.4
Australia11.1075.0122.3

 

Sector

Non-managerial employees paid by Award only made up 24.6% of all non-managerial employees in the private sector compared to 14.0% of all non-managerial employees in the public sector.

Non-managerial employees paid by award only and all non-managerial employees, average weekly total cash earnings and number of employees - sector, May 2018

 NON-MANAGERIAL EMPLOYEES PAID BY AWARD ONLYNON-MANAGERIAL EMPLOYEES PAID BY AWARD ONLYALL NON-MANAGERIAL EMPLOYEES
 AVERAGE WEEKLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES ('000)NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES ('000)
ESTIMATE
Private sector693.901 958.57 962.3
Public sector1 456.90274.41 954.2
All sectors787.702 232.99 916.5
STANDARD ERROR
Private sector12.2074.8119.6
Public sector21.307.022.2
All sectors11.1075.0122.3

Full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate

Analysis of estimates for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate provides an opportunity to compare earnings and hours paid for by classifications of interest such as sex, method of setting pay, occupation, industry and sector without compositional elements such as the proportion of part-time employees, or employees paid at junior, apprentice or trainee or disability rates. For example, an industry with a large proportion of part-time employees and employees paid at the junior rate will have lower average earnings for all employees than an industry with a small proportion of part-time employees and employees paid at the junior rate.

Key results by category

In May 2018, there were 5,568,700 full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate of whom 60.2% were male and 39.8% were female. The majority of these employees (94.2%) were employed on a permanent or fixed term basis. Of all full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, 5.8% were casual.

Average weekly total cash earnings was $1,665.60 for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate ($1,788.00 for male employees and $1,480.70 for female employees). For these employees, average weekly total hours paid for was 39.4 hours (40.3 hours for males and 38.1 hours for females). Average hourly total cash earnings was $42.20 for all full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate ($44.30 for male employees and $38.90 for female employees).

Occupation

Among full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, Machinery operators and drivers had the highest average weekly total hours paid for (43.4 hours). Professionals had the lowest average weekly total hours paid for (38.0 hours). Managers had the highest average hourly total cash earnings ($61.10) and Sales workers and Labourers had the lowest ($31.80 and $32.00 respectively).

Industry

Average weekly total hours paid for was highest in the Mining industry (43.9 hours) and lowest in the Education and training industry (36.8 hours) for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. The Mining industry also had the highest average hourly total cash earnings of $61.10. Full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate in the Accommodation and food services industry had the lowest average hourly total cash earnings of $29.10.

The Professional, scientific and technical services industry employed the highest proportion of all full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate (9.8%), followed by the Public administration and safety industry (9.7%).

Sector

For full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, average weekly total hours paid for was higher in the private sector (39.9 hours) than in the public sector (37.8 hours). In contrast, average hourly total cash earnings was higher in the public sector ($48.50) than the private sector ($40.60). Of all full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, 77.8% were employed in the private sector and 22.2% in the public sector.

Methods of setting pay

The most common method of setting pay for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate was an Individual arrangement (48.5%). The average weekly total cash earnings for these employees was $1,689.20. They were paid for the most total hours per week (39.6) at an average hourly total cash earnings rate of $42.70.

The next most common method of setting pay for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate was Collective agreement (38.4%). These employees had the highest average hourly total cash earnings ($44.90) and, on average, they were paid for a total of 39.4 hours a week. The average weekly total cash earnings for this group of employees was $1,770.50.

The least common method of setting pay for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate was Award only (13.1%). These employees, paid for an average of 39.0 weekly total hours, received the lowest average total cash earnings per week ($1,272.10) and per hour ($32.60).

Distribution of earnings

Weekly total cash earnings, method of setting pay

Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate was $1,460.00. The lowest paid 25% of these employees received $1,116.00 or less in weekly total cash earnings. The next 50% (or inter quartile range) of full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate received weekly total cash earnings between $1,116.00 and $2,000.00.

One in 10 full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate received weekly total cash earnings of $928.00 or less, while one in 10 received weekly total cash earnings of $2,596.00 or more.

Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate was highest for those paid by Collective agreement ($1,644.00) followed by Individual arrangement ($1,442.00). Award only employees received the lowest median weekly cash earnings ($1,100.00).

The inter quartile ranges for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate were: between $1,241.00 and $2,100.00 for those paid by Collective agreement; between $1,130.00 and $2,001.00 for those paid by Individual arrangement; and between $912.00 and $1,432.00 for those employees paid by Award only.

Full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, distribution of weekly total cash earnings - method of setting pay, May 2018

   Award onlyCollective agreement(a)Individual arrangement(b)All methods of setting pay
ESTIMATE
WEEKLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)(c)   
 Deciles and quartiles    
  10th Percentile800.00996.00952.00928.00
  20th Percentile881.001 161.001 062.001 055.00
  25th Percentile (1st quartile)912.001 241.001 130.001 116.00
  30th Percentile948.001 314.001 181.001 177.00
  40th Percentile1 011.001 474.001 300.001 312.00
  50th Percentile (median) (2nd quartile)1 100.001 644.001 442.001 460.00
  60th Percentile1 211.001 826.001 607.001 643.00
  70th Percentile1 357.002 004.001 852.001 881.00
  75th Percentile (3rd quartile)1 432.002 100.002 001.002 000.00
  80th Percentile1 584.002 206.002 197.002 133.00
  90th Percentile1 968.002 620.002 736.002 596.00
  Average weekly total cash earnings1 272.101 770.501 689.201 665.60
STANDARD ERROR
WEEKLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)   
 Deciles and quartiles    
  10th Percentile7.409.207.606.50
  20th Percentile7.6010.706.403.90
  25th Percentile (1st quartile)8.5012.2010.106.90
  30th Percentile9.2011.5013.408.00
  40th Percentile15.3017.2012.907.00
  50th Percentile (median) (2nd quartile)19.4017.5013.0011.20
  60th Percentile28.0018.4018.4011.90
  70th Percentile20.2020.5025.5013.20
  75th Percentile (3rd quartile)28.2014.4023.0013.40
  80th Percentile36.9017.2025.8011.80
  90th Percentile36.2039.4043.2024.90
  Average weekly total cash earnings17.4016.0014.609.50

a. Includes registered and unregistered collective agreements.
b. Includes registered and unregistered individual arrangements.
c. Percentiles are based on whole dollars only.

 

​​​​​​​Weekly total cash earnings, occupation by sex

For all full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, the occupation groups with the highest median weekly total cash earnings were Managers ($2,170.00) and Professionals ($1,902.00). Ten percent of Managers received weekly total cash earnings of $3,515.00 or more, and the highest paid 10% of Professionals received $2,986.00 or more.

The occupation groups with the lowest median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate were Sales workers ($1,104.00) and Labourers ($1,126.00).

Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate was higher for males ($1,580.00) than females ($1,320.00). The lowest paid 10% of males received weekly total cash earnings of $974.00 or less compared to $882.00 or less for females. The highest paid 10% of male full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate received weekly total cash earnings of $2,828.00 or more compared to $2,213.00 or more for their female counterparts.

Median weekly total cash earnings was highest for Managers for both males ($2,304.00) and females ($2,000.00).

Both male and female median weekly total cash earnings was lowest for Labourers (males $1,192.00, females $945.00) and Sales workers (males $1,216.00, females $1,034.00). The difference between median weekly total cash earnings for male and female full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate was smallest for Clerical and administrative workers ($158.00) and greatest for Technicians and trades workers ($410.00).

 

Weekly total cash earnings, industry

Median weekly total cash earnings for all full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate was highest for those employees in the Mining industry ($2,645.00), which was $796.00 higher than for the next highest industry, Electricity, gas, water and waste services ($1,849.00). One in four full-time non-managerial employees in the Mining industry received weekly total cash earnings of $3,160.00 or more.

In contrast, industries with the lowest median weekly total cash earnings for all full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate were Accommodation and food services ($1,074.00) and Retail trade ($1,099.00).

Weekly total cash earnings, sector

Median weekly total cash earnings was higher for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate in the public sector ($1,728.00) than the private sector ($1,380.00). In contrast, earnings for the highest paid 10% were higher in the private sector ($2,618.00) than the public sector ($2,514.00).

Full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, distribution of weekly total cash earnings - sector, May 2018

   Private sectorPublic sectorAll sectors
ESTIMATE
WEEKLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)(a)  
 Deciles and quartiles   
  10th Percentile899.001 140.00928.00
  20th Percentile1 010.001 301.001 055.00
  25th Percentile (1st quartile)1 058.001 365.001 116.00
  30th Percentile1 121.001 438.001 177.00
  40th Percentile1 246.001 578.001 312.00
  50th Percentile (median) (2nd quartile)1 380.001 728.001 460.00
  60th Percentile1 547.001 882.001 643.00
  70th Percentile1 800.002 034.001 881.00
  75th Percentile (3rd quartile)1 932.002 114.002 000.00
  80th Percentile2 107.002 212.002 133.00
  90th Percentile2 618.002 514.002 596.00
  Average weekly total cash earnings1 618.501 830.501 665.60
STANDARD ERROR
WEEKLY TOTAL CASH EARNINGS ($)  
 Deciles and quartiles   
  10th Percentile4.3012.006.50
  20th Percentile7.009.103.90
  25th Percentile (1st quartile)4.609.606.90
  30th Percentile7.9010.808.00
  40th Percentile8.4012.607.00
  50th Percentile (median) (2nd quartile)12.3010.7011.20
  60th Percentile12.9010.4011.90
  70th Percentile22.0013.8013.20
  75th Percentile (3rd quartile)17.2011.1013.40
  80th Percentile16.5011.0011.80
  90th Percentile33.4025.3024.90
  Average weekly total cash earnings12.0012.309.50

a. Percentiles are based on whole dollars only.

Data downloads

Data cube 1. All employees

Number of employees, average weekly total cash earnings, average age - rate of pay and age category: by employment status by sex, type of employee by sex, occupation, industry, states and territories, sector and employer size

Data cube 2. All employees

Number of employees, average weekly total cash earnings, average age - method of setting pay: by employment status by sex, type of employee by sex, occupation, industry, states and territories, sector and employer size

Data cube 3. All employees

Distribution, deciles and quartiles of weekly total cash earnings - age category, method of setting pay, employment status, type of employee, occupation by sex, industry and sector

Data cube 4. Non-managerial employees

Number of employees, average weekly total cash earnings, average weekly total hours paid for, average hourly total cash earnings - rate of pay and age category: by employment status by sex, type of employee and status by sex, occupation, industry, states and territories, sector and employer size

Data cube 5. Non-managerial employees

Number of employees, average weekly total cash earnings, average weekly total hours paid for, average hourly total cash earnings - method of setting pay: by employment status by sex, type of employee and status by sex, occupation, industry, states and territories, sector and employer size

Data cube 6. Full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate

Number of employees, average weekly total cash earnings, average weekly total hours paid for, average hourly total cash earnings - age category: by type of employee by sex, occupation, industry, states and territories, sector and employer size

Data cube 7. Full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate

Number of employees, average weekly total cash earnings, average weekly total hours paid for, average hourly total cash earnings - method of setting pay: by type of employee by sex, occupation, industry, states and territories, sector and employer size

Data cube 8. Full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate

Distribution, deciles and quartiles of weekly total cash earnings - age category, method of setting pay, type of employee, occupation by sex, industry and sector

Data cube 9. All employees

Number of employees, average weekly total cash earnings - method of setting pay: by age category

Data cube 10. All employees

 Number of employees, average weekly total cash earnings - rate of pay: by age category

Data cube 11. All employees

Average weekly total cash earnings, average age - sex: by detailed occupation (ANZSCO 4 digit)

Data cube 12. All employees

Average weekly total cash earnings, average age - method of setting pay: by detailed occupation (ANZSCO 4 digit)

Data cube 13. Full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate

Average weekly ordinary time and total cash earnings, average weekly ordinary time and total hours paid for, average hourly ordinary time and total cash earnings - sex: by detailed occupation (ANZSCO 3 digit)

Data cube 14. Full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate

Average weekly ordinary time and total cash earnings, average weekly ordinary time and total hours paid for, average hourly ordinary time and total cash earnings - method of setting pay: by detailed occupation (ANZSCO 3 digit)

Data cube 15. Full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate

Average weekly ordinary time and total cash earnings, average weekly ordinary time and total hours paid for, average hourly ordinary time and total cash earnings - sex: by industry sub-division (ANZSIC 2 digit)

All data cubes

History of changes

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Previous catalogue number

This release previously used catalogue number 6306.0.

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