What is the minimum wage for a structural engineer in Australia?

There is no occupation‑specific minimum rate for structural engineers. If you are award‑free and not covered by an enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) applies from 1 July 2026. If you are covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020 or another award, the award classification rate will be higher. Check your award or agreement for the exact figure.

How does a structural engineer salary compare to the national average?

The ABS reports average weekly earnings for all full‑time adult employees at $2,083.70 (May 2026), but this figure is not specific to structural engineers. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for structural engineers does not provide median earnings because the occupation is a 6‑digit ANZSCO code. Most structural engineers are likely to earn above the national minimum, but precise survey data are not publicly available.

Is superannuation included in the structural engineer salary?

No. Superannuation is paid on top of your salary. The super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings (as at 2026‑27). For example, if your base salary is $80,000, your employer must contribute an additional $9,600 into your super fund. This is separate from the wage or salary figure you negotiate.

Structural engineer salary: pay floors, award coverage, and the weekly packet

No specific minimum or median rate for structural engineers is published by the Fair Work Commission or the ABS; the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) applies as a floor for award‑free employees.

Understanding the structural engineer salary floor

When researching a structural engineer salary in Australia, the first question is often: what is the legal minimum I must be paid? Unlike some trades covered by a specific modern award, structural engineers are classified as professionals. The Fair Work Commission does not publish a dedicated minimum rate for the occupation. Instead, the pay floor depends on whether you are covered by an award, an enterprise agreement, or are award‑free.

The national minimum wage as a backstop

For award‑free employees (those not covered by any modern award or registered agreement), the national minimum wage is the legal floor. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (based on a 38‑hour week). Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual minimum to $33.05 per hour. This rate applies to all award‑free national‑system employees aged 21 and over. Junior rates, apprentice rates, and supported wages can be lower – see our rate tables for details.

Award coverage for structural engineers

Many structural engineers are covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020, which sets minimum salaries for engineers at different classification levels. The award rates are generally higher than the national minimum. For example, a Level 1 engineer under that award earns a minimum annual salary that is well above the national minimum wage. However, the exact figures change each year after the Annual Wage Review. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a pay calculator and the award text on its website. If your employer is covered by an enterprise agreement, that agreement may set a higher rate still. Always check your specific award or agreement – it can require a rate above the national minimum.

Survey averages and what the data shows

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) collects earnings data by occupation, but for 6‑digit ANZSCO codes such as Structural Engineer (233214), median earnings are not published due to sample size. The Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile for structural engineers confirms this: the “median weekly earnings” field is empty for 6‑digit occupations. The profile does show that 88% of structural engineers work full‑time, with an average of 43 hours per week, and the median age is 36 years. Without a published median, any figure you see online is likely an estimate from private salary surveys or recruitment sites. Those estimates can be useful for negotiation but are not official benchmarks.

The weekly packet: tax, Medicare, and super

Your structural engineer salary is not the same as what lands in your bank account. From your gross pay, the Australian Taxation Office withholds income tax based on the tax‑free threshold and marginal rates. For the 2026‑27 income year, a resident earning $80,000 per year would pay about $16,267 in tax (using the full tax‑free threshold) plus a Medicare levy of 2% on taxable income above $30,000 (approximately $1,600). That leaves a net weekly amount of roughly $1,196. On top of your gross salary, your employer must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% into your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay – it is an additional cost to the employer. So the total employment cost is your salary plus 12% super.

How to check your own rate

To find out which pay floor applies to you, start by identifying your award. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s online tool “Find my award” can help. If you are award‑free, the national minimum wage is your minimum. If you are covered by the Professional Employees Award or another award, use the How the figures work guide to understand classification levels. Remember that your contract can always offer more than the minimum, but never less. For award‑free employees, the national minimum wage is the absolute floor.

For a broader view of how different minimums compare, see our Which minimum wage applies page. And if you are negotiating a new role, consider the total package: base salary, super, and any allowances or bonuses. The official data may be limited, but the legal protections are clear.