Office Manager Salary: How to Compare Job Offers Using Take-Home Pay

Understanding the Office Manager Salary Landscape

If you're an office manager or considering a role in this field, knowing the typical pay is just the start. The real question is: how much of that salary actually lands in your bank account after tax and the Medicare levy? This guide helps you compare job offers by focusing on take-home pay.

What the Data Shows

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time office manager salary is $1,730 per week before tax. That's about $89,960 a year. Office managers are predominantly female (81%) and have a median age of 47. The median hourly rate is $47, which is well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week.

But remember: the figure of $1,730 is before tax and before superannuation. Employers often advertise salaries as "plus super" – the 12% super guarantee (from 1 July 2026) is not deducted from your take-home pay. So a $90,000 salary plus super means your employer pays an extra $10,800 into your super fund, but your taxable income remains $90,000.

From Gross to Net: Calculating Your Take-Home Pay

To compare offers, you need to estimate your after-tax income. The Australian Taxation Office provides the tax rates for 2026–27. For a resident earning $89,960:

• First $18,200: tax-free
• Next $26,800 (up to $45,000): taxed at 15c per dollar = $4,020
• Next $44,960 (up to $89,960): taxed at 30c per dollar = $13,488
• Total income tax before offsets: $17,508
• Plus the Medicare levy: 2% of $89,960 = $1,799.20
• You may be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), which reduces tax by up to $700, phasing out between $37,500 and $66,667. At $89,960, LITO is $325 minus 1.5c per dollar over $45,000 = $325 - $674.40 = $0 (fully phased out).

So estimated tax and Medicare = $17,508 + $1,799 = $19,307. Weekly take-home = ($89,960 - $19,307) / 52 ≈ $1,358.

This is an estimate. It excludes HELP/HECS, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary sacrifice. For a precise figure, use the Clearance tool on this site.

Comparing Job Offers: What to Look For

When you receive a job offer, don't just look at the headline salary. Consider:

• Superannuation: Is the salary quoted inclusive or exclusive of super? A $90,000 salary plus 12% super is worth more than a $90,000 salary inclusive of super.
• Allowances: Some roles offer car allowances, phone allowances, or overtime. These are taxable income and affect your take-home.
• Salary packaging: Some employers allow you to sacrifice part of your salary for benefits like a car or additional super, which can reduce your taxable income.
• Medicare levy surcharge: If you earn over $93,000 (single) and don't have appropriate private hospital cover, you may pay an extra 1% to 1.5%.

Use the Take-home pay guide to model different scenarios.

The Role of the Medicare Levy

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, but there are thresholds. For singles, if your taxable income is below $28,011, you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, you pay a reduced rate (10c per dollar over the lower threshold). Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%. For an office manager earning $89,960, you'll pay the full 2%.

Putting It All Together

To compare offers, convert each offer into an estimated weekly take-home amount. For example:

• Offer A: $90,000 + super → take-home ~$1,358/week
• Offer B: $85,000 + super + $5,000 car allowance → taxable income $90,000, same take-home
• Offer C: $95,000 inclusive of super → super component ~$10,180, taxable income ~$84,820 → take-home ~$1,290/week

Always check the Tax and Medicare page for the latest rates.