Understanding the account executive salary: minimum wage, awards, and what you take home

Understanding the account executive salary: minimum wage, awards, and what you take home

When you search for an account executive salary in Australia, you will find a wide range of figures. This is because the role exists across many industries—from advertising and media to technology and professional services—and each industry may have different pay structures. This guide separates the legal minimum from award rates, survey averages, and negotiated salaries, and shows how tax and super affect your weekly take-home pay.

The legal minimum: national minimum wage and awards

The absolute pay floor for any adult employee in Australia is the national minimum wage, set by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, this is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. However, most account executives are covered by a modern award, which sets higher minimum rates. For example, the Clerks Award (covering administrative and clerical roles) or the Professional Employees Award (covering certain professional roles) may apply. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a Pay and Conditions Tool to help you find the correct award for your job. If an award applies, the minimum rates in that award—including any penalty rates and allowances—are the legal minimum, not the national minimum wage.

Award rates versus the national minimum

Some awards have introductory rates for new employees, which can be lower than the national minimum for the first six months. From 1 July 2026, the lowest introductory rate in any award cannot fall below $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week. After the introductory period, the ongoing classification rate must be at least the national minimum wage. If your award rate is higher than the national minimum, that higher rate applies. An enterprise agreement can also set rates, but they cannot undercut the award or the national minimum.

Survey averages and negotiated salaries

No single official source publishes a median or average account executive salary for Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports average weekly earnings for full‑time adults ($2,083.70 per week in May 2026) and for all employees ($1,579.20 per week), but these figures cover all occupations. A negotiated salary for an account executive will depend on experience, industry, location, and the employer. Without a specific survey from a reputable source, it is not possible to give a reliable average for this role. Always check your award or agreement for the minimum you must be paid, and negotiate above that if your skills and market conditions allow.

The weekly packet: tax, Medicare, and super on top

To understand what you actually take home, you need to consider tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates apply with the full tax‑free threshold. Medicare is estimated at 2% once your annualised ordinary gross earnings exceed $30,000. The low‑income tax offset and other offsets are not included in this simple model. For an account executive earning exactly the national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week ($52,254.80 per year), the weekly tax would be approximately $130, and Medicare about $20, leaving a take‑home of around $855. This is a rough estimate and does not include HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge.

In addition to your gross pay, your employer must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of your ordinary time earnings. For the same $1,004.90 weekly salary, that means an extra $120.59 paid into your super fund. This is not part of your take‑home pay but is a valuable long‑term benefit.

How to find your correct rate

Because the account executive salary can vary so much, the first step is to determine which pay floor applies to you. Use the [Which minimum wage applies](/

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.