The average Australian earns $1,200 per week

Peter Terlato 19 January 2017

Salary

Managers and miners were the best-paid employees.

The average weekly total cash earnings for Australians was a little over $1,200 in May last year, with managers banking the highest occupational salaries, according to the latest data.

The ABS released its Employee earnings and hours report May 2016, revealing average weekly earnings for Australia's 10 million employees was $1,230.70 ($1,457.00 for men and $1,010.20 for women).

The majority of working Australians (77.4%) were employed on a permanent or fixed term basis.

Full-time workers pulled in $1,623.50 per week, while part-time employees averaged $634.70.

Casual workers enjoyed average weekly total cash earnings of $585.00.

Among major occupation groups, managers had both the highest average weekly total cash earnings ($2,298.00) and the highest average age (45.7 years).

Sales workers were beset with the lowest weekly earnings ($652.20) and average age (32.7 years).

The greatest proportion of employees were professionals (21.5%), receiving average weekly earnings of $1,631.10 with an average age of 40.9 years. The smallest group were machinery operators and drivers (6.6%) who received average weekly earnings of $1,327.80 with an average age of 43.7 years.

Those employed in the mining industry enjoyed the highest weekly cash earnings ($2,494.40) with an average age of 40.8 years. The lowest earning industry was accommodation and food services ($548.40).

Workers in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) scored the highest weekly earnings ($1,461.90), while Tasmanians ($1,041.00) and South Australians ($1,077.00) collected the lowest.

On average, public sector jobs ($1,489.00) paid more than private sector vocations ($1,170.00).

Over half of all workers were employed on an award or collective agreement (59.2%), more than a third by individual arrangement (37.3%) and the rest (3.6%) were owner managers of incorporated enterprises.

Despite lower earnings, new research has discovered Australia's middle-class are generally more likely to own a boat than those from wealthier households.

If you're planning on changing jobs in the future, be sure to consider your options before taking action.

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