How is casual loading applied to an electrical engineer salary?

Under the Professional Employees Award, casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For a Level 1 graduate engineer (4-year degree) at $34.57 per hour, the casual rate is $43.21 per hour. This loading compensates for entitlements like annual leave and sick leave. The [casual loading](/topics/casual-loading) page explains how to calculate it.

What is the take-home pay for an electrical engineer after tax and super?

Using the 2026–27 tax rates and 12% super guarantee, a full-time electrical engineer earning $68,538 per year would have a gross fortnightly pay of $2,636.08. After tax (including Medicare levy) of approximately $9,507 per year, the annual take-home is about $59,031. Super of $8,224.56 is paid on top by the employer. Use the [take-home pay](/topics/take-home) tool for a personalised estimate.

Electrical Engineer Salary: Award Rates, National Minimum Wage, and How to Calculate Your Pay

Q: What is the difference between an electrical engineer and an electrician under Australian awards?

An electrical engineer is a professional who typically holds a university degree and is covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020. An electrician is a tradesperson covered by the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020. The minimum rates differ significantly; for example, a graduate engineer (Level 1, 4-year degree) earns $34.57 per hour, while an electrical worker Grade 1 earns $27.53 per hour (including industry allowance).

A graduate electrical engineer (Level 1, 4-year degree) under the Professional Employees Award earns a minimum hourly rate of $34.57, equating to $68,538 per year for 38 hours per week.

Understanding the Electrical Engineer Salary in Australia

When you search for an electrical engineer salary, you are likely looking at a professional role that requires a university degree. In Australia, the minimum pay for electrical engineers is set by the Professional Employees Award 2020. This is different from the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020, which covers electricians and other trades. Knowing which award applies is the first step to understanding your entitlements.

The National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. However, most electrical engineers are covered by an award that sets higher minimum rates. For example, a graduate engineer with a 4-year degree (Level 1, Pay Point 1.1) must be paid at least $34.57 per hour under the Professional Employees Award. That is over 30% above the National Minimum Wage. The minimum wage page has more details on the national floor.

How to Calculate Annual Pay from an Hourly Rate

The standard formula for annual gross pay is:

Hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a full-time electrical engineer, ordinary hours are 38 per week (clause 13.1 of the Professional Employees Award). So a graduate engineer earning $34.57 per hour would have an annual salary of:

$34.57 × 38 × 52 = $68,538.32 (rounded to $68,538 in the award table).

This matches the minimum annual wage listed in the award. If you are paid fortnightly, multiply the weekly rate by 2. For the graduate engineer, the weekly rate is $1,318.04, so fortnightly pay is $2,636.08 before tax and super.

Casual Loading for Electrical Engineers

If you work as a casual electrical engineer, you are entitled to a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate (clause 11.1 of the Professional Employees Award). For the graduate engineer, that means $34.57 × 1.25 = $43.21 per hour. The casual loading page explains how this loading replaces paid leave entitlements.

Comparing Professional Engineers and Electrical Trades

It is common to confuse an electrical engineer with an electrician. The Professional Employees Award covers engineers, scientists, and other professionals. The Electrical Award covers tradespeople such as electrical workers. For example, an Electrical Worker Grade 1 (including industry allowance) earns $27.53 per hour under the Electrical Award. That is significantly less than a graduate engineer. However, experienced engineers at Level 4 can earn $49.02 per hour, while an Electrical Worker Grade 10 earns $38.91 per hour. The job pay page helps compare different roles.

Superannuation and Tax on Your Electrical Engineer Salary

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of your ordinary earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a graduate engineer earning $68,538, the super contribution is $8,224.56 per year. This is not deducted from your salary; it is paid in addition. The super and packaging page covers salary sacrifice and other options.

Tax is calculated 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

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (with possible reductions for low incomes). For the graduate engineer, the estimated tax (including Medicare) is about $9,507 per year, leaving a take-home pay of $59,031. The take-home pay tool can give a more precise estimate.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

Our timesheet allows you to enter your base hourly rate and optionally add casual loading. It then calculates your annual, monthly, fortnightly, and weekly pay, along with estimated tax and super. Remember to use your award minimum rate (without casual loading already included) and check the casual box if applicable. The hourly conversion page explains how to convert between hourly, weekly, and annual figures.

Award Allowances and Penalty Rates

The Professional Employees Award includes penalty rates for work outside ordinary hours. For full-time employees, Monday to Saturday before 6 am or after 10 pm attracts 125% of the minimum hourly rate. Sunday and public holidays are 150%. Casual employees get 150% and 175% respectively (including the casual loading). These rates are not included in the simple annual calculation above. The pay guides page has links to the official Fair Work summaries.

Average Electrical Engineer Salary vs Award Minimum

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026 show full-time adult ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, which equates to about $108,352 per year. This is higher than the award minimum for a graduate engineer, reflecting that many engineers earn above the award through enterprise agreements or individual contracts. However, the award minimum is the legal floor. The average pay page discusses how averages can differ from minimums.

Summary

When researching an electrical engineer salary, always check the Professional Employees Award for your classification. Use the formula hourly × 38 × 52 for annual gross, and remember that super is paid on top. Casual loading adds 25%. Tax and Medicare reduce your take-home. For a quick calculation, use our reference tables or the timesheet tool. If you are an electrician rather than an engineer, refer to the Electrical Award instead.

Disclaimer: Annual pay 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.