Average weekly ordinary time earnings for full-time adults rose to $2,010.00 in May 2025, the first time the seasonally adjusted measure has topped $2,000, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Across the six months to May, average weekly earnings for full-time adults grew 1.7 per cent, broadly in line with the 1.8 per cent rise in the Wage Price Index over the same period. Annual growth remained elevated at 4.5 per cent, up $86.60 a week on May 2024 and just below the 4.6 per cent annual pace recorded to November 2024, the ABS said.
Growth was stronger in the private sector, at 4.6 per cent over the year, compared with 3.6 per cent in the public sector.
The gender pay gap in average weekly ordinary full-time earnings narrowed from 11.9 per cent to 11.5 per cent, matching the series’ lowest reading. In May, men earned an average of $2,106.40 and women $1,864.10 a week (seasonally adjusted).
By state and territory, full-time average weekly ordinary time earnings were highest in the Australian Capital Territory ($2,236.60) and Western Australia ($2,154.70), and lowest in Tasmania ($1,793.00) and South Australia ($1,894.10).
By industry, Mining remained the highest paid on average at $3,174.50 a week for full-time employees, followed by Information media and telecommunications ($2,560.70). The lowest averages were in Accommodation and food services ($1,459.70) and Retail trade ($1,504.40). Industry figures are original (non‑seasonally adjusted) estimates.
Average earnings for all employees also continued to grow, rising 4.1 per cent over the year to May 2025, easing from 5.5 per cent in November 2024.
The ABS cautioned that movements in average weekly earnings can be affected by changes in both earnings levels and the composition of employment, including shifts in the mix of full-time and part-time work, occupations, and industries. For tracking pure wage price changes, the ABS points to its quarterly Wage Price Index.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics.
