EARNINGS IN ALL JOBS

Mean weekly earnings for full-time employees and owner managers incorporated enterprises (OMIEs) in all jobs was $1,506 ($1,605 for males and $1,341 for females), an increase of 43% since August 2006 ($1,051). The mean weekly earnings for part-time workers was $597 ($572 for males and $607 for females), an increase of 54% since August 2006 ($388). The mean weekly earnings for all employees and OMIEs in all jobs was $1223, an increase of 42% since August 2006 ($862). (Datacube 2)

EARNINGS IN MAIN JOB

MEAN WEEKLY EARNINGS


The mean weekly earnings for employees and OMIEs in their main job in August 2016 was $1,212 ($1,411 for males and $994 for females). The age groups with the highest mean weekly earnings of $1,441 was in the 35–44 year old age group ($1,693 for males, compared to $1,139 for females) and $1,417 in the 45–54 year old age group ($1,680 for males, compared to $1,158 for females). (Datacube 10)

The main job mean weekly earnings was higher for males than for females in every age group. For those aged 65 years and over, mean weekly earnings for females was 62% of that for males. In the 20–24 year age group, average weekly earnings for females were 89% of male earnings.

The greatest difference in mean weekly earnings between males and females was for those aged 55–59 (a difference of $632 per week), while the smallest difference, $70, was for those aged 15–19 years.

Location

Employees and OMIEs from the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory had the highest mean weekly earnings in their main job (both $1,402). For males, those in Northern Territory had the highest mean weekly earnings ($1,646) followed by Western Australia ($1,561). Whilst for females, those in Australian Capital Territory had the highest mean weekly earnings ($1,278) followed by Northern Territory ($1,116). (Datacube 24)

Industry of main job

The industry division with the highest mean weekly earnings in main job was Mining ($2,261) followed by Electricity, gas, water and waste services ($1,660). The industry division with the lowest mean weekly earnings was Accommodation and food services ($629). (Datacube 10)

Occupation of main job

The occupation groups with the highest mean weekly earnings was Managers ($1,853) followed by Professionals ($1,545). The occupation group with the lowest mean weekly earnings was Sales workers ($721). (Datacube 10)

Education

Mean weekly earnings in main job for those with a non-school qualification was highest for those with a Postgraduate degree ($1,791) while the lowest mean weekly earnings was for those with a Certificate I/II ($784). This compares to a mean of $931 for those without a non-school qualification. (Datacube 13)


MEDIAN WEEKLY EARNINGS

In August 2016, the median weekly earnings in main job for all employees and OMIEs was $1,000, compared to a mean of $1,212. The difference between the mean and median shows that the high earnings of some employees and OMIEs increases the mean weekly earnings relative to median earnings. Approximately 13% of employees and OMIEs in their main job earned at least twice the median - $2,000 or more per week in their main job. (Datacube 11)

Industry and occupation of main job

Median weekly earnings was highest for employees who worked in the Mining industry division ($2,019) while the lowest median weekly earnings was for employees and OMIEs who worked in the Accommodation and food services industry division ($500) (Datacube 12). By occupation group, the highest median earnings was for Managers ($1,500) while the lowest was for Sales workers ($575). (Datacube 11)

Full-time or part-time

Median weekly earnings for full-time workers was $1,250 compared to $500 for part-time workers. Median weekly earnings in main job for male full-time workers was $1,334 compared to $1,150 for females. For part-time workers though, median weekly earnings was higher for females than males (at $517 and $450). (Datacube 11)

Education

Median weekly earnings in main job for those with a non-school qualification was highest for those who had a Postgraduate degree ($1,500) while the lowest median weekly earning was for those with a Certificate I/II ($747). This compares to a median of $800 for those without a non-school qualification. (Datacube 13)