Cabinet maker salary: what lands in your bank account after tax and Medicare

Understanding the cabinet maker salary landscape

When you're comparing job offers as a cabinet maker, the number that matters most is the amount that actually reaches your bank account after tax and the Medicare levy. This guide uses current public data from Jobs and Skills Australia, Fair Work, and the Australian Taxation Office to help you make an informed decision.

Jobs and Skills Australia reports that the median full-time cabinet maker earns $1,400 per week before tax. That's about $35 per hour for a 40-hour week, though the award standard is 38 hours. The median age is 37, and 93% of cabinet makers work full-time. This figure is a reliable benchmark for the industry.

For those starting out or working under an award, Fair Work's Joinery and Building Trades Award 2020 sets minimum rates. A Level 2 cabinet maker (the typical entry-level classification) must be paid at least $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. Higher levels pay more, up to $31.30 per hour for Level 7.

How to calculate your take-home pay

Let's walk through an example using the median cabinet maker salary of $1,400 per week. Annualised, that's $72,800. Using the 2026–27 tax rates:

• Tax on $72,800: $4,020 plus 30c for each dollar over $45,000 = $12,360
• Less Low Income Tax Offset (LITO): $0 (phased out above $66,667)
• Medicare levy: 2% of $72,800 = $1,456 (full rate applies as income exceeds $35,013)
• Total deductions: $13,816
• Take-home pay: $58,984 per year, or $1,134 per week

This is a guide only. Your actual take-home will vary if you have a HELP/HECS debt, salary sacrifice arrangements, or if you're entitled to the Medicare levy surcharge exemption. Use the Tax and Medicare page for a detailed breakdown.

Comparing job offers: award vs market rates

A job offer might quote an hourly rate, a weekly wage, or an annual salary. To compare them fairly, convert everything to weekly take-home pay. Here's how:

• Award minimum: $26.44/hour × 38 hours = $1,004.90/week before tax. After tax and Medicare, that's about $857/week (assuming no other deductions).
• Median market rate: $1,400/week before tax → $1,134/week after tax.
• Top-end: Some experienced cabinet makers earn above $1,600/week. At $1,600/week ($83,200/year), take-home would be around $1,270/week.

Remember that super is additional. The 12% super guarantee (from 1 July 2026) means your employer pays an extra $168 per week on the median salary, but that goes into your super fund, not your bank account.

What about part-time or casual work?

Only 7% of cabinet makers work part-time. If you're casual, you get a 25% loading on top of the award rate. For a Level 2 casual, that's $33.05 per hour. However, casuals don't get paid leave, so factor that into your comparison.

Using the take-home pay approach

When you receive a job offer, ask for the total remuneration package including super, then calculate your after-tax income. The Clearance tool on this site can help you estimate your exact take-home pay based on your circumstances.

Always check whether the salary is 'plus super' or 'including super'. A $75,000 package including super means your base salary is about $66,964 (since super is 12% of base). That changes your tax calculation significantly.

Key takeaways

• The median cabinet maker salary is $1,400/week before tax, giving about $1,134/week after tax.
• Award minimums start at $26.44/hour for Level 2.
• Use take-home pay, not gross figures, to compare offers.
• Super is not deducted from your pay; it's on top.
• Medicare levy applies fully for full-time workers earning over $35,013.

For more benchmarks, see the Minimum wage page. For a personalised estimate, use the Take-home pay calculator.