Electrical Engineer Salary Australia: What You Actually Take Home After Tax and Medicare

Electrical Engineer Salary Australia: The Numbers That Matter

If you are an electrical engineer in Australia or considering the career, you have probably seen a range of salary figures online. The most reliable current data comes from Jobs and Skills Australia, which reports that the median full-time weekly earnings for electrical engineers are $2,553 before tax. That works out to roughly $132,756 a year if you multiply by 52 weeks. The median hourly rate is $67, and 92% of electrical engineers work full time.

But that gross figure is not what lands in your bank account. Understanding the difference between your gross salary, your total package (including super), and your take-home pay is essential for budgeting and negotiating.

Gross Salary vs Package vs Take-Home

Your gross salary is the dollar amount agreed in your employment contract before any deductions. Many job advertisements quote a salary plus super, meaning the 12% superannuation guarantee (from 1 July 2026) is paid on top. If the ad says "$130,000 plus super", your employer pays an extra $15,600 into your super fund, but your taxable income remains $130,000. If the ad says "$130,000 package including super", then your taxable income is about $116,071 and super is $13,929 – a big difference.

Your take-home pay is what remains after your employer withholds income tax and the Medicare levy. It does not include super, which you cannot access until retirement. The Take-home pay guide on this site explains the calculation step by step.

Estimating Take-Home on the Median Electrical Engineer Salary

Let’s use the median weekly figure of $2,553. That is $132,756 annually. For the 2026–27 tax year, a resident single person with no other income would pay:

• Tax: Using the resident tax rates, tax on $132,756 is $4,020 plus 30c for every dollar over $45,000. That is $4,020 + 0.30 × ($132,756 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $26,326.80 = $30,346.80.
• LITO: The Low Income Tax Offset is reduced for incomes over $45,000. At $132,756, LITO is nil.
• Medicare levy: 2% of taxable income = $2,655.12. Since $132,756 is well above the upper threshold of $35,013, you pay the full 2%.
• Total deductions: $30,346.80 + $2,655.12 = $33,001.92.
• Annual take-home: $132,756 – $33,001.92 = $99,754.08.
• Weekly take-home: $99,754.08 ÷ 52 = $1,918.35.
• Fortnightly take-home: $99,754.08 ÷ 26 = $3,836.69.

This is an estimate only. It excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge (if you do not have appropriate private hospital cover), salary sacrifice arrangements, and payroll rounding. Use the Clearance tool on this site to get a personalised estimate.

How Does This Compare to Other Benchmarks?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (Minimum wage). The average full-time adult ordinary time earnings across all occupations is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 annually) according to the ABS. Electrical engineers earn well above both benchmarks.

The Role of Superannuation

Employer super contributions are 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. On a $132,756 salary, your employer adds $15,930.72 to your super account annually. This is not part of your take-home pay but is a valuable long-term benefit. See Super for more.

Medicare Levy Thresholds

The Medicare levy is a flat 2% for most taxpayers. However, if your taxable income is between $28,011 and $35,013, a shading reduction applies – you pay 10c per dollar over the lower threshold until you reach the upper threshold, after which you pay the full 2%. Full-time electrical engineers will almost always be above $35,013, so the full 2% applies. The Tax and Medicare page has the full table.

Common Mix-Ups to Avoid

• Thinking the median is a starting salary. The median is the middle of all electrical engineers, including experienced professionals. Entry-level roles will be lower.
• Confusing gross with take-home. Always calculate tax and Medicare before assuming a salary will support a certain lifestyle.
• Ignoring super in job comparisons. A $120,000 salary plus super is better than a $120,000 package including super. Always ask for the base salary.
• Forgetting that salary packaging can reduce tax. If your employer offers salary packaging (e.g., for a car or laptop), your taxable income drops, increasing take-home pay. See Salary packaging.

Where the Data Comes From

The median earnings figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report, published by Jobs and Skills Australia. The tax rates and Medicare thresholds are from the Australian Taxation Office for 2026–27. The minimum wage is set by the Fair Work Ombudsman. All figures are public and current as of the time of writing.

Final Word

An electrical engineer salary in Australia is strong, with a median well above the national average. But your take-home pay – the amount you actually have to spend or save – depends on tax, Medicare, and whether super is included in the quoted figure. Use the Benchmarks page to compare with other occupations, and always run your own numbers before making financial decisions.