What is the average electrician salary Australia? Gross vs take-home explained
The median full-time weekly earnings for electricians in Australia are $2,191, according to Jobs and Skills Australia, but award rates range from $26.44 to $38.91 per hour depending on grade and allowances.
What is the average electrician salary Australia?
If you are an electrician or considering the trade, you have probably seen a wide range of pay figures. The most reliable source is Jobs and Skills Australia, which reports that the median full-time weekly earnings for electricians are $2,191 – that is about $55 per hour based on a 45-hour average week. This figure comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours and represents gross pay before tax, Medicare, and any salary-sacrifice arrangements.
But the average electrician salary Australia varies by classification, location, and whether you work under an award or an enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award sets minimum rates from $26.44 per hour (Grade 1) up to $38.91 per hour (Grade 10 including allowances). Many electricians earn above these minimums, especially those with a licence or in specialised roles.
Gross salary vs package vs take-home
A common mix-up is between your gross salary, your total employment package (which includes super), and the amount that actually lands in your bank account. Let’s break it down.
- Gross salary is the dollar figure you see in your contract or job ad. For the median electrician, that is $2,191 per week or $113,932 per year.
- Package usually means gross salary plus the employer’s superannuation contribution. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So a $113,932 salary would have an extra $13,672 in super paid on top – but that money goes into your super fund, not your pocket.
- Take-home pay is what remains after the Australian Tax Office deducts income tax and the Medicare levy. For a single resident earning $113,932 in 2026–27, the tax is roughly $27,628 plus $2,279 Medicare levy (2% of taxable income), leaving about $83,925 per year or $1,614 per week. This is a rough estimate and does not include HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary sacrifice.
Why the median matters more than the average
Jobs and Skills Australia uses the median because it is not skewed by a few very high earners. The median weekly earnings of $2,191 mean half of all full-time electricians earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) would be higher due to top earners, but the median gives you a realistic benchmark.
How tax and Medicare affect your take-home
Your take-home pay depends on your taxable income and whether you are single or have a family. The Medicare levy is 2% for most people, but if your income is below $28,011 (single) you pay nothing, and between $28,011 and $35,013 you pay a reduced rate. For a full-time electrician earning well above those thresholds, the full 2% applies.
Use our Take-home pay calculator to see your own estimate, and read about Tax and Medicare for more details on offsets like the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO).
Award rates vs market rates
The award minimums are a safety net. If you are an apprentice or entry-level worker, you might start at Grade 1 ($26.44 per hour). But experienced electricians with a licence and leading-hand duties can earn Grade 10 rates ($38.91 per hour) under the award. Many enterprise agreements pay significantly more, which is why the median market rate is $55 per hour.
Super is not part of your take-home
A common confusion is thinking your salary package includes super as part of your pay. It does not. Super is an additional cost to your employer and is not deducted from your gross salary. When comparing job offers, always check whether the figure is base salary or total package.
Final thoughts
When you search for the average electrician salary Australia, remember that the headline number is gross, not take-home. Use reliable sources like Fair Work and Jobs and Skills Australia to understand the range, and always factor in tax, Medicare, and super to know what you will actually receive.
For more benchmarks, see our Benchmarks page. If you want to calculate your own take-home, try the Clearance tool.
Questions
How much does an electrician take home from a $2,191 weekly salary?
If you earn $2,191 per week ($113,932 annually), your take-home after income tax and the 2% Medicare levy would be roughly $1,560 per week, assuming no other deductions. This is an estimate only; your actual amount depends on your circumstances.
Is the average electrician salary quoted as including super?
No. The median earnings figure from Jobs and Skills Australia is base salary before employer superannuation. Most job ads also quote a base salary plus super. Super is not deducted from your take-home pay; it is paid on top by your employer.
How do award rates compare to the average electrician salary?
Award rates under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award start at $26.44 per hour for a Grade 1 electrical worker and go up to $38.91 for Grade 10 (including allowances). The median market salary of $55 per hour is well above the award minimum, reflecting experience and enterprise agreements.