Chief of Staff Salary: Hourly to Annual Conversion Guide
The median chief of staff salary in Australia is around $148,200 per year, based on a 38-hour week, before tax and super.
Understanding the Chief of Staff Salary in Australia
A chief of staff salary in Australia can vary widely depending on the industry, employer size, and the scope of the role. Whether you are negotiating a new offer or converting an existing hourly rate, it helps to know how annual, fortnightly, and hourly figures relate to each other. This guide explains the conversion process, the relevant minimum wage and award rates, and how tax and superannuation affect your take-home pay.
How to Convert an Hourly Rate to an Annual Salary
The standard formula for converting an hourly rate to an annual salary is:
Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52
For full-time employees, the typical assumption is 38 hours per week, which is the ordinary hours used in most modern awards and the National Minimum Wage. If you work a different number of hours each week, adjust the formula accordingly. For example, a chief of staff earning $75.00 per hour and working 38 hours a week would have an annual gross salary of $75 × 38 × 52 = $148,200.
This calculation assumes the same rate applies every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. It also does not include superannuation, which is paid on top. To check your own figures, use the hourly conversion tool on this site.
The National Minimum Wage and Award Rates
From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman. Award minimum wages increased by 4.75% from the same date. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum rate, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour.
Most chief of staff roles are not covered by a specific award; they are often classified as managerial or professional employees and may be covered by an enterprise agreement or be award-free. In those cases, the National Minimum Wage acts as a floor. The actual chief of staff salary is typically well above this minimum, reflecting the seniority and responsibility of the position.
Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting
Many Australian employers pay salaries fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, multiply your weekly pay by two. Using the National Minimum Wage example: $1,004.90 per week gives $2,009.80 per fortnight. For a chief of staff on $148,200 per year, weekly pay is about $2,850 ($148,200 ÷ 52), so fortnightly pay is roughly $5,700.
Knowing your fortnightly amount helps with budgeting and comparing job offers. The pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman provide minimum rates for award-covered employees, but for above-award roles like chief of staff, your contract will specify the agreed salary.
Superannuation and Tax
Superannuation is paid on top of your salary. The super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 (2026-27). For a chief of staff earning $148,200, the employer would contribute an additional $17,784 per year into your super fund. This amount is not included in your take-home pay but grows for retirement.
Tax is withheld from your salary using the 2026-27 resident tax rates:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
Most employees also pay the Medicare levy of 2% (with possible reductions for low income). The take-home pay calculator on this site can estimate your net pay after tax and Medicare.
Chief of Staff Salary Data
Market estimates from recruitment sources indicate a median full-time chief of staff salary of around $148,200 per year, with a typical range from $90,000 to $250,000 depending on sector, experience, and scope. Financial services, technology, and listed companies tend to pay above government and not-for-profit organisations. These figures are not official ABS statistics; they are derived from recruiter surveys and wage index projections.
For context, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 in May 2026, which equates to about $108,350 per year. A chief of staff salary of $148,200 is therefore well above the national average for full-time employees.
Using the Timesheet Calculator
If you have an hourly rate or a salary offer, the timesheet tool on this site lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add the 25% casual loading. It then calculates annual gross, fortnightly pay, estimated tax, Medicare, and super. Remember that the results are estimates based on the assumptions described above.
For more detailed information on minimum wages, see the minimum wage page. To understand how casual loading works, visit casual loading. And for comparisons with other roles, check job pay.
Disclaimer
Annual pay shown here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax is the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.