Hays Salary Guide 2025: How Your Hourly Rate Compares to the National Minimum Wage and Awards
Using a 38-hour week, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, while the Hays Salary Guide 2025 shows typical salaries ranging from under $50,000 to over $250,000 for various professions.
Understanding Your Pay: Minimum Wage, Awards, and the Hays Salary Guide 2025
When you're offered an hourly rate or a salary, it's essential to know how it stacks up against legal minimums and typical market rates. The Hays Salary Guide 2025 provides a comprehensive snapshot of salaries across 26 industries in Australia, but it's important to interpret it alongside the National Minimum Wage, award rates, and your own circumstances. This guide will help you convert your hourly rate to annual pay, understand the role of the 38-hour week, and see where your pay fits in.
Converting Hourly to Annual: The 38-Hour Week
The standard full-time working week in Australia is 38 hours, as set by the Fair Work Act. To estimate your annual gross pay, use the formula:
Annual gross ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52
For example, at the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026), working 38 hours per week for 52 weeks gives an annual gross of approximately $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,261.44. This matches the weekly figure of $1,004.90 (38 × $26.44) multiplied by 52.
If you're paid fortnightly, your gross pay is simply your weekly pay multiplied by two. For the minimum wage, that's $2,009.80 per fortnight before tax and super.
The Hays Salary Guide 2025 notes that salaries in their tables are based on a 38-hour week and are exclusive of superannuation. Their survey of over 15,000 professionals shows typical salaries ranging from under $50,000 to over $250,000, with 58% of respondents earning between $100,000 and $150,000. However, these are indicative figures from a recruiter survey, not legal minimums.
National Minimum Wage vs. Award Rates
The National Minimum Wage is the legal floor for all employees not covered by an award or agreement. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing their minimum to $33.05 per hour. This is set by the Fair Work Commission.
However, most employees are covered by a modern award that sets higher minimum rates for their industry or role. For example, a retail employee might have a higher base rate than the national minimum. The Hays Salary Guide 2025 reflects typical market rates that are often above award rates, especially for skilled roles. If you're on an award, always check the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides for your exact minimum.
Casual Loading and Superannuation
If you're a casual employee, your hourly rate should include a 25% loading (or your award's specific loading) on top of the base rate. This compensates for lack of paid leave. When using our hourly conversion tool, you can check a box to add 25% casual loading to your base rate. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading.
Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings. The super guarantee is 12% of your gross pay (from 1 July 2026), up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. So if your annual salary is $80,000, your employer must pay an additional $9,600 into your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
Your take-home pay depends on tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026–27, the resident tax rates are:
- 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 a 2% Medicare levy (with reductions for low-income earners). Use our take-home pay calculator to estimate your net income.
Typical Salaries from the Hays Guide
The Hays Salary Guide 2025 provides detailed salary tables for hundreds of roles. For instance, the guide shows that a senior qualified mine accountant in Perth typically earns around $180,000 per year (range $150,000–$210,000), while in Adelaide the typical salary is $125,000 (range $120,000–$150,000). These figures are exclusive of super and based on a 38-hour week. The guide also includes benefits such as flexible working, health insurance, and additional leave, which are valued by employees.
When comparing your offer to the guide, consider:
- The salary ranges are indicative, not conclusive.
- They exclude superannuation and benefits.
- They are based on a 38-hour week.
For the most accurate picture, combine the Hays guide with official data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, such as Average Weekly Earnings ($2,083.70 for full-time adults in May 2026) and the Fair Work Ombudsman's reference tables for award rates.
Summary
Whether you're negotiating a new job or checking your current pay, start with the legal minimums: the National Minimum Wage or your award rate. Then use the Hays Salary Guide 2025 to see typical market rates. Convert your hourly rate to annual using the 38-hour week formula, remember that super is paid on top, and factor in tax and Medicare for your take-home estimate. Our timesheet tool can help you calculate your pay for any hours worked.
Always consult the Fair Work Ombudsman for award-specific advice and the Australian Taxation Office for tax queries. This guide provides estimates, not determinations.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.