What is the typical builder salary under the Building and Construction Award?

Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award (MA000020), a Level 1 builder (CW/ECW 1) earns between $28.08 and $28.98 per hour for weekly hire residential work, depending on the sub-level. That works out to an annual salary of about $55,500 to $57,300 before tax, based on a 38-hour week. These rates include industry and tool allowances where applicable. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading, bringing the hourly rate to around $35.10 to $36.23.

How does casual loading affect a builder's hourly rate and annual pay?

Casual loading adds 25% to the base hourly rate. For a builder on the award, the casual hourly rate for Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) residential work is about $35.10 to $36.23. That translates to an annual gross of roughly $69,400 to $71,700 (38 hours × 52 weeks). The loading compensates for entitlements like paid leave. Always calculate your base rate first, then add the loading – never enter a rate that already includes it.

What super and tax apply to a builder salary?

Super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary, up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base. For a builder earning $57,000, that’s an extra $6,840 per year. Tax for 2026–27 uses the resident scale: tax-free up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, plus the 2% Medicare levy. A builder on $57,000 would pay roughly $7,500 in tax and Medicare, leaving about $49,500 take-home pay.

Builder Salary: How to Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay in 2026

A builder on the Building and Construction General On-site Award Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) earns about $28.08 to $28.98 per hour, or roughly $55,500 to $57,300 per year based on a 38-hour week.

Understanding the Builder Salary from an Hourly Rate

If you’re a builder or considering work in construction, you’ve probably seen hourly rates quoted and wondered what that means as an annual salary. The key is to start with the correct base rate, then multiply by the hours you work each week and the weeks you work each year. For most full-time employees, the standard is 38 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. That gives you the formula:

Annual gross pay ≈ hourly rate × 38 × 52

This article uses the term builder salary to refer to the annual equivalent of an hourly wage under the Building and Construction General On-site Award, and compares it to the National Minimum Wage and average earnings.

The National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. That’s the legal floor for award/agreement-free employees. But most builders are covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award (MA000020), which sets higher minimum rates.

According to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide, a Level 1 builder (CW/ECW 1) on weekly hire residential work earns between $28.08 and $28.98 per hour. That’s about $1,067 to $1,101 per week, or roughly $55,500 to $57,300 per year. These rates already include the industry allowance and tool allowance where applicable.

For daily hire (non-residential), the hourly rate is slightly higher at $28.98 to $29.89 per hour, reflecting the different work pattern. Always check the specific classification in the award – the pay guide provides detailed tables.

Casual Loading and Fortnightly Pay

Casual employees get a 25% loading on top of the base rate. For a builder on Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) residential, that means an hourly rate of about $35.10 to $36.23. Annualised: $69,400 to $71,700. The loading is intended to compensate for the lack of paid leave.

To see your fortnightly pay, multiply your weekly gross by two. For a weekly hire builder earning $1,067, the fortnightly gross is $2,134. Casual workers would see a higher fortnightly amount but no paid sick or annual leave.

Superannuation and Tax

Super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary. For a builder salary of $57,000, that’s an extra $6,840 contributed to your super fund each year, up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Super is not deducted from your pay – it’s an employer contribution.

Tax for 2026–27 uses the resident tax-free threshold of $18,200, then 15% on the next $26,800, 30% on the next $90,000, and so on. Plus the 2% Medicare levy. A builder on $57,000 would pay roughly $7,500 in tax and Medicare, leaving about $49,500 take-home pay. Use our take-home pay guide for a more detailed breakdown.

Comparing to Average Earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports average weekly earnings for full-time adult ordinary time at $2,083.70 (May 2026). That’s about $108,350 per year – well above a typical builder salary at entry level. However, many builders progress to higher classifications or work overtime, which can boost annual earnings significantly. The award sets penalty rates for overtime, Saturdays, and Sundays, which are not included in the base rate calculation.

How to Use This on Our Site

On our timesheet, you can enter your hourly base rate and choose whether to add casual loading. The tool then calculates your annual gross, fortnightly pay, estimated tax, and super. Remember: the annual figure assumes the same rate every week, with no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no salary sacrifice. It’s a starting point for understanding your **builder salary.

For more award-specific rates, see our pay guides or reference tables. If you’re comparing job offers, our job pay page can help.

Important Distinctions

National Minimum Wage: $26.44/hour, $1,004.90/week, casual $33.05/hour.
Award rates: Higher than NMW, set by the Fair Work Commission.
Casual loading: 25% on top of base rate, not included in base rate.
Super: 12% paid on top of ordinary earnings.
Tax: 2026–27 resident scale with Medicare.

Always refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide for your specific classification. The formula above gives an estimate – your actual pay may vary.