What Australians Actually Earn
Everyone wants to know where they sit. Are you earning above average? Below? What salary puts you in the top 10%? The data tells a story that's quite different from what most people assume.
Income Percentiles: Where Do You Rank?
Based on ATO taxation statistics, here's the approximate taxable income at each percentile. Find your salary and see where you sit:
| Percentile | Taxable Income | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18,200 | Bottom 10% — tax-free threshold, part-time/casual |
| 25th | $33,000 | Bottom quarter — award wages, part-time |
| 50th (median) | $53,000–$55,000 | Middle of the pack |
| 60th | $62,000 | Slightly above median |
| 70th | $75,000 | Above average |
| 75th | $82,000 | Top quarter |
| 80th | $93,000 | Top 20% |
| 90th | $133,000 | Top 10% — senior professionals, managers |
| 95th | $180,000 | Top 5% — senior executives, specialists |
| 99th | $350,000+ | Top 1% — C-suite, business owners, surgeons |
Average vs Median: Why the Difference Matters
The average (mean) Australian taxable income is approximately $68,000. The median is approximately $53,000–$55,000. That's a gap of around $15,000.
The average is higher because it's pulled up by a small number of very high earners. When a CEO earning $5 million is averaged with 100 people earning $50,000, the average jumps to $99,000 — even though nobody in the group actually earns that amount. The median is a much better representation of what a "typical" Australian earns.
How Much You Take Home at Each Level
Raw salary doesn't tell the full story. Here's what each percentile actually takes home after tax and Medicare (FY 2025–26, no HELP debt):
| Percentile | Gross Income | Total Tax | Take-Home | Per Fortnight | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25th | $33,000 | $2,728 | $30,272 | $1,164 | 8.3% |
| 50th | $55,000 | $8,388 | $46,612 | $1,793 | 15.3% |
| 75th | $82,000 | $16,188 | $65,812 | $2,531 | 19.7% |
| 90th | $133,000 | $33,188 | $99,812 | $3,839 | 24.9% |
| 95th | $180,000 | $51,538 | $128,462 | $4,941 | 28.6% |
| 99th | $350,000 | $129,888 | $220,112 | $8,466 | 37.1% |
Jumping from the 50th to 75th percentile ($55k to $82k) gives you an extra $738 per fortnight after tax. But jumping from 90th to 95th ($133k to $180k) only gives $1,102 extra per fortnight — diminishing returns thanks to progressive taxation.
Income by Age: What's Normal at Each Stage
Your income relative to peers changes dramatically with age. Here's the approximate breakdown:
| Age Group | Median Income | "Good" (75th pctl) | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18–24 | $28,000 | $42,000 | $58,000 |
| 25–29 | $52,000 | $72,000 | $100,000 |
| 30–34 | $62,000 | $88,000 | $130,000 |
| 35–44 | $68,000 | $100,000 | $155,000 |
| 45–54 | $65,000 | $98,000 | $160,000 |
| 55–64 | $55,000 | $85,000 | $145,000 |
| 65+ | $35,000 | $62,000 | $110,000 |
Peak earning years are typically 35–54. After 55, median income drops as people reduce hours, transition to part-time, or enter semi-retirement. The 65+ bracket is heavily influenced by retirees drawing modest super or pension income.
The Gender Pay Gap in the Data
The ABS reports a national gender pay gap of approximately 21.8% on a total remuneration basis (November 2024). In practical terms, the median male full-time salary is approximately $80,000, while the median female full-time salary is approximately $67,000. The gap is largest in financial services and mining, and smallest in education and healthcare.
What Counts as "Rich" in Australia?
Based on the percentile data:
- $100,000 puts you in the top 17% of individual taxpayers
- $150,000 puts you in the top 7%
- $200,000 puts you in the top 3.5%
- $500,000 puts you in the top 0.5%
Most Australians significantly overestimate what others earn. If you're earning six figures, you're doing better than the vast majority of the country — even if it doesn't feel that way when you look at Sydney house prices.
Data sources: ATO Taxation Statistics, ABS Average Weekly Earnings, WGEA Gender Pay Gap Data
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