What is the minimum pay for a marketing manager in Australia?

If you are not covered by an award or registered agreement, the national minimum wage applies: $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week from 1 July 2026. However, many marketing managers are covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020 or the Clerks Award, which set higher minimum rates. Check your award classification using the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool.

Is superannuation included in the marketing manager salary figures?

No. The super guarantee is an employer payment on top of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings. So if your base salary is $80,000, your employer must also pay $9,600 into your super fund. Always compare base salary figures excluding super.

How does the average marketing manager salary compare to the national minimum?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, which is more than double the national minimum wage. Marketing manager salaries typically fall well above the minimum, but the exact figure depends on experience, industry, and location. No single official average for marketing managers is published by the Fair Work Ombudsman or the ABS.

Marketing Manager Salary in Australia: Which Pay Floor Applies and What People Mix Up

The legal minimum for a marketing manager not covered by an award or agreement is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, but most earn above that; no single award rate is published for this occupation.

Understanding the Marketing Manager Salary Landscape

When people search for a "marketing manager salary" in Australia, they often want a single number. The reality is more layered: there is a legal minimum, a possible award rate, and a market rate that varies widely. This guide unpacks each layer so you can compare any offer against the right floor.

The Legal Minimum: National Minimum Wage

If you are a marketing manager who is not covered by any modern award or enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage applies. From 1 July 2026, that is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the minimum $33.05 per hour.

This rate is set by the Fair Work Commission. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it. Remember: this is before tax (gross pay) and before super. Your employer must also pay 12% super on top of your ordinary time earnings.

Award Coverage: The Likely Higher Floor

Most marketing managers are employed in industries covered by a modern award. The most common awards are the Professional Employees Award 2020 (for marketing specialists with a degree) and the Clerks Award (for marketing roles that are clerical in nature). Both awards set minimum rates that are higher than the national minimum wage.

For example, under the Professional Employees Award, a Level 1 employee (entry-level professional) earns more than $26.44 per hour. The exact rate depends on the classification and any annual wage review increases. You can find the current rates in our Rate tables or use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool.

If your employer has an enterprise agreement, that agreement may set higher rates than the award. Always check the agreement first.

What About Survey Averages?

Many online salary surveys quote figures like $80,000 to $120,000 per year for a marketing manager. These are not legal minimums. They are market averages based on self-reported data. The Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes average weekly earnings for all full-time adults ($2,083.70 per week in May 2026), but that is not specific to marketing managers.

A negotiated salary can be much higher than the minimum, depending on your experience, the company's size, and the city. But the legal floor remains the award or national minimum wage, whichever is higher.

Common Confusions

Mistaking the national minimum for a universal rate. Not every worker must receive $26.44 per hour. Junior employees (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and employees on introductory award rates can be paid less. For award-free juniors, the rate is a percentage of the national minimum (e.g., a 16-year-old gets $12.51 per hour).

Thinking super is part of the salary. Super is an extra payment by the employer. When comparing job offers, always compare base salary excluding super.

Assuming one award covers all marketing roles. Marketing manager duties vary. A digital marketing manager may fall under the Professional Employees Award, while a marketing coordinator doing clerical work may be under the Clerks Award. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's tools to check.

How to Use This Information

If you are offered a marketing manager salary, first determine if you are covered by an award or agreement. If yes, the award minimum is your floor. If no, the national minimum wage is your floor. Then compare the offer to market averages (from reputable sources like the ABS or industry surveys) to see if it is competitive.

For more detail on which minimum wage applies to you, see our Which minimum wage applies guide. For a full list of current award rates, visit our Rate tables.

Summary

The term "marketing manager salary" covers a range from the legal minimum of $26.44 per hour (if award-free) to six-figure packages. The key is knowing your correct pay floor. Use the award system, check your classification, and always add super on top.