Cabinet maker salary: award coverage, minimum rates and median earnings
The median full-time cabinet maker salary is $1,400 per week ($35 per hour) before tax, but the legal minimum depends on award coverage and can be lower for juniors or apprentices.
Cabinet maker salary: what you need to know
When researching the cabinet maker salary in Australia, it is important to separate the legal minimum from survey averages and negotiated rates. This guide explains the different pay floors that apply and how they compare with typical earnings.
Award coverage for cabinetmakers
Most cabinetmakers are employed in manufacturing or construction and are covered by the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 (the Manufacturing Award). This award sets minimum hourly rates, penalty rates, overtime, and allowances for classifications such as Cabinetmaker Level 1 to Level 4. If you work under an enterprise agreement, that agreement may set higher rates than the award.
If you are not covered by any award or registered agreement, the national minimum wage applies. From 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for full-time adults. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual minimum to $33.05 per hour.
Legal minimum versus survey average
The legal minimum is the lowest amount an employer can legally pay. For award-covered cabinetmakers, the minimum is the classification rate in the Manufacturing Award. For award-free adults, it is the national minimum wage.
The survey average comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time cabinetmaker earns $1,400 per week ($35 per hour) before tax. This figure is from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. It reflects typical earnings for experienced, full-time non-managerial employees. It is not a minimum.
A negotiated salary can be higher than both the award minimum and the median, depending on skills, experience, and location.
Superannuation is on top
Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12%. So if your base salary is $1,400 per week, your employer must also contribute $168 per week into your super fund.
Who can be paid less?
Not every worker must receive the full adult minimum. Junior employees (under 21) have percentage-based minimums under the national minimum wage framework. For example, a 17-year-old award-free junior can be paid $15.29 per hour (57.8% of the adult rate). Apprentices and trainees have their own progressive rates under the Miscellaneous Award or the relevant award. Some awards also have introductory rates for new employees (e.g., the first six months at $25.74 per hour under the national minimum backstop).
How to check your correct pay
To find the exact minimum rate for your job, use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool. It will ask for your award, classification, and employment type. You can also refer to our Which minimum wage applies guide and Rate tables for a summary of common award rates.
Summary
- Legal floor: National minimum wage $26.44/h ($1,004.90/week) or the Manufacturing Award rate, whichever is higher.
- Typical earnings: Median $35/h ($1,400/week) for full-time cabinetmakers.
- Super: 12% on top of ordinary time earnings.
- Lower rates apply: Juniors, apprentices, and introductory periods.
Always check your award or agreement, as it may set a higher rate than the national minimum. For more detail on how pay floors are calculated, see our How the figures work page.
Questions people ask next
What is the minimum wage for a cabinetmaker?
Most cabinetmakers are covered by the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020. The award sets minimum rates that vary by classification and experience. As a backstop, no adult employee can be paid less than the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (from 1 July 2026). If the award rate is higher, the award rate applies.
Do cabinetmakers get penalty rates?
Yes, if covered by the Manufacturing Award, penalty rates apply for overtime, weekend, and public holiday work. The exact rates depend on the classification and the day worked. Check the award or use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool for your specific circumstances.
How does the median cabinet maker salary compare to the national minimum?
The median full-time cabinet maker earns $1,400 per week ($35 per hour), which is well above the national minimum of $1,004.90 per week. However, the median reflects experienced workers; entry-level or apprentice cabinetmakers may earn closer to the award minimum.
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