How is an electrician salary calculated from an hourly rate?

Multiply the hourly rate by 38 hours per week, then by 52 weeks. For example, $32.19 per hour × 38 × 52 = $63,600.88 per year. This assumes no overtime, penalties, or allowances beyond those included in the all-purpose rate.

What is the difference between the base rate and the all-purpose rate for electricians?

The base rate is the minimum weekly rate from clause 16.2 of the award. The all-purpose rate adds industry allowance, tool allowance, and electrician’s licence allowance where applicable. The all-purpose rate is used for overtime, penalties, and leave calculations.

Does the electrician salary include superannuation?

No. Superannuation is paid on top of the salary at 12% of ordinary earnings (up to the maximum contribution base). For a $63,600 salary, that adds about $7,632 in employer super contributions.

Understanding Your Electrician Salary: Hourly Rates, Annual Pay, and Fortnightly Breakdown

For a full-time electrical worker grade 5 under the Electrical Award 2020, the ordinary hourly rate including allowances is $32.19, giving an annual salary of about $63,600 before tax and super.

Electrician Salary Under the Electrical Award 2020

If you work as an electrician under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 [MA000025], your minimum pay is set by the Fair Work Commission. The award classifies electrical workers from grade 1 to grade 10, with each grade having a base hourly rate plus allowances that form an all-purpose rate. This article explains how to convert that hourly rate into an annual salary, fortnightly pay, and what to expect for tax and super.

Hourly to Annual: The 38-Hour Week

A full-time employee under this award works an average of 38 ordinary hours per week. To estimate your annual electrician salary, use the formula:

Hourly rate × 38 hours × 52 weeks = annual gross pay

For example, an electrical worker grade 5 with industry, tool, and electrician’s licence allowances has an ordinary hourly rate of $32.19 (from the July 2026 pay guide). The annual calculation:

$32.19 × 38 × 52 = $63,600.88

This is your gross income before tax, Medicare, and super. The same method works for any classification: multiply the hourly rate from the award’s summary table by 38 and then by 52.

Fortnightly Pay

Many employers pay wages weekly or fortnightly. For a fortnight, multiply the weekly pay by two. The award’s pay guide shows weekly rates including allowances. For grade 5 (with all allowances), the weekly rate is $1,223.11, so a fortnight is $2,446.22. If you prefer to calculate from the hourly rate: $32.19 × 76 hours (two 38-hour weeks) = $2,446.44 (rounding may vary).

Award Rates vs. National Minimum Wage

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for a 38-hour week, or $1,004.90 per week. However, electricians are covered by a modern award, so their minimum pay is higher. For example, even the lowest grade (electrical worker grade 1) has a base rate of $26.44 per hour, but with industry allowance the all-purpose rate is $27.53 per hour. Higher grades earn significantly more. The award also includes tool allowances and licence allowances that increase the rate further.

Casual Loading

If you work as a casual electrician, you receive a 25% loading on top of the ordinary hourly rate (including all-purpose allowances) instead of paid leave and other entitlements. For grade 5, the casual rate would be $32.19 × 1.25 = $40.24 per hour. The award’s pay guide includes a separate casual table. When using the timesheet or casual loading tool, never add the loading to a rate that already includes it—use the base ordinary rate and check the casual box.

Tax and Medicare

Your electrician salary is subject to Australian income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 financial year, the tax-free threshold is $18,200. Above that, rates are:

15% from $18,201 to $45,000
30% from $45,001 to $135,000
37% from $135,001 to $190,000
45% above $190,000

Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. For a $63,600 salary, tax would be approximately $9,267 plus $1,272 Medicare, leaving about $53,061 after tax. Use take-home pay tools for a precise estimate.

Superannuation Paid on Top

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee at 12% of your ordinary earnings (up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year). This is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it. For a $63,600 electrician salary, the employer contributes about $7,632 per year to your super fund. The award specifies funds such as NESS Super.

Using the Reference Tables

For a full list of award rates, see reference tables which include the National Minimum Wage, ABS Average Weekly Earnings (full-time adult ordinary time $2,083.70 per week as of May 2026), and the award’s classification table. The pay guides page explains how to read award summaries.

Important Notes

This calculation assumes you work 38 hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances beyond those included in the all-purpose rate, 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 uses 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.

Summary

Your electrician salary depends on your classification grade and applicable allowances. Use the hourly rate from the award’s pay guide, multiply by 38 and 52 for annual gross, then factor in tax and super. For casual work, add 25% loading. Always check the latest award and pay guide from the Fair Work Ombudsman for the most accurate rates.