Construction project manager salary: what you can expect to take home in 2026–27

Construction project manager salary: the key figures

If you are looking at a construction project manager salary in Australia, the most reliable starting point is the Australian Taxation Office’s median figure for the occupation “Builder – construction project manager” (ATO code 133111). For the 2023–24 income year, the ATO reported a median salary or wage income of $120,744. This is the middle point: half of the people in this occupation earned more, half earned less.

Jobs and Skills Australia does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for construction project managers specifically, but for the broader “Construction manager” group the ABS (May 2025) reported full‑time non‑managerial employees earn a median of $3,751 per week, or about $195,100 a year. That group includes project managers and project builders, and it reflects a higher‑paid subset (full‑time, adult rate, non‑managerial). The ATO figure is more representative of all construction project managers, including those who work part‑year or part‑time.

How your construction project manager salary compares with benchmarks

To put the $120,744 median in context:

• National minimum wage – From 1 July 2026, Fair Work sets the minimum at $26.44 an hour and $1,004.90 a week, which works out to about $52,255 a year for a full‑time worker. A construction project manager on $120,744 earns more than double that.
• Full‑time adult ordinary time earnings – The ABS reports this benchmark at $2,083.70 per week (about $108,352 a year) for May 2026. The construction project manager median sits about 11% above that.
• All employees average weekly total earnings – This includes part‑time workers and stands at $1,579.20 per week ($82,118 a year). The construction project manager salary is roughly 47% higher.

See the Benchmarks page for the latest national wage data.

What you actually take home after tax and Medicare

Your take-home pay is what reaches your bank account after income tax and the Medicare levy. For a resident earning $120,744 in 2026–27, here is the estimate:

Item	Amount
Annual salary	$120,744
Income tax (using 2026–27 rates)	$31,750
Low‑income tax offset	−$700
Medicare levy (2% of taxable income)	$2,415
Take‑home pay per year	$86,579
Take‑home pay per fortnight	$3,330

Note: This is a resident estimate only. It excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll tax‑table rounding. It is not a tax assessment.

The Medicare levy is charged at 2% on your full taxable income because $120,744 is well above the single‑person thresholds of $28,011 and $35,013 (the latest published ATO thresholds). Full‑time salaries always pay the full 2%.

For a detailed breakdown of how tax and Medicare are calculated, visit Tax and Medicare.

Super is on top of your construction project manager salary

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate rises to 12% on earnings up to $270,830. If your contract says “$120,744 plus super”, your employer contributes an extra $14,489 into your super fund. That money is not part of your take‑home pay – it is locked away until retirement. If the ad says “$120,744 including super”, your pre‑super salary is lower, and your take‑home will be less. Always check the wording.

Why your construction project manager salary may differ

The ATO median is a national snapshot, but actual pay varies by:

• Project size and complexity – Managing a $100 million commercial tower pays differently from a $2 million townhouse development.
• Sector – Residential, commercial, civil infrastructure, and resources each have different pay norms.
• Location – Modelled state guides (based on the broader Construction manager group) suggest Western Australia pays about 15% above the national median ($139,100), while Tasmania is about 21% below ($94,900). New South Wales and Victoria are close to the national figure.
• Experience and responsibility – A senior project manager with 15 years’ experience and profit‑and‑loss responsibility will earn more than an entry‑level coordinator.

For a personalised estimate of your take‑home pay, use the Clearance tool.