How to Compare a Job Offer Using the Adecco Salary Guide and Your Take-Home Pay

Using the Adecco Salary Guide to Benchmark Your Offer

When you receive a job offer, the first step is to check whether the base salary is competitive. The Adecco Australia Salary Guide 2026 provides salary benchmarks across 14+ industries and hundreds of roles. The guide is based on data from 145 organisations and reflects current hiring trends. It shows salaries exclusive of superannuation, so you need to add 12% super to compare total remuneration.

For example, if the guide shows a role pays $90,000 to $110,000 base, and your offer is $95,000 plus super, that is within the range. But the number that matters most to your budget is the amount that lands in your bank account each fortnight after tax and the Medicare levy.

Calculating Your Take-Home Pay

Use the Take-home pay tool on this site to estimate your after-tax income. For the 2026–27 tax year, the rates are:

• $0 – $18,200: Nil tax
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15 cents per dollar over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30 cents per dollar over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37 cents per dollar over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45 cents per dollar over $190,000

You also get the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) if your taxable income is under $66,667. The maximum LITO is $700 for incomes up to $37,500, then it phases out.

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income for most workers. The latest published single-person Medicare thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If your income is below $28,011, you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, you pay 10 cents per dollar over $28,011. Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%.

Example: $100,000 Salary

Suppose your offer is $100,000 base plus super. Your taxable income is $100,000. Tax on $100,000:

• First $18,200: $0
• Next $26,800 (to $45,000): $4,020
• Next $55,000 (to $100,000): $16,500
• Total tax: $20,520
• LITO: $325 minus 1.5 cents per dollar over $45,000 = $325 – $825 = $0 (phased out)
• Medicare levy: 2% of $100,000 = $2,000
• Total deductions: $22,520
• Annual take-home: $77,480
• Fortnightly take-home: $77,480 ÷ 26 = $2,980

Remember, super is not deducted from your pay; it is paid on top by your employer. So your bank account receives $2,980 per fortnight before any salary sacrifice or HELP repayments.

Minimum Wage and the Adecco Salary Guide

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour and $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week, as set by Fair Work. The Adecco salary guide covers roles well above this level, but it is a useful floor. If an offer is below the minimum wage, it is illegal.

Why the Adecco Salary Guide Matters

The keyword "adecco salary" appears in the guide because it is a trusted source for employers and job seekers. By using the guide alongside the Tax and Medicare calculator on this site, you can compare offers on an after-tax basis. This helps you negotiate effectively and choose the role that gives you the best take-home pay.

Final Tips

• Always confirm whether the salary is inclusive or exclusive of super. Most professional roles advertise base plus super.
• Use the Clearance tool to check your estimated take-home for different salary levels.
• Remember that the Medicare levy surcharge may apply if you do not have appropriate private hospital cover and your income exceeds $93,000 (single). This is separate from the standard Medicare levy.
• The figures here are estimates only. Your actual tax may vary due to deductions, offsets, or HELP repayments. Consult a tax professional for personal advice.

By combining the Adecco salary guide with our take-home pay calculator, you can make informed decisions about your next career move.