What is the typical hourly rate for a production manager in Australia?

Production manager salaries vary widely by industry, experience, and location. The Fair Work Commission sets minimum award rates for some industries, but many production managers are above-award. For a precise estimate, check the relevant modern award or use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool. As a guide, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports full-time adult average weekly earnings of $2,083.70 (May 2026), which equates to about $54.83 per hour for a 38-hour week. A production manager salary might range from $40 to $70 per hour depending on responsibilities.

How do I calculate annual tax and super on a production manager salary?

Use the 2026–27 resident tax rates: nil up to $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% from $45,001 to $135,000, 37% from $135,001 to $190,000, and 45% above $190,000. Add the Medicare levy (generally 2%). Super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For example, a $88,920 annual salary would have about $16,267 in tax plus $1,778 Medicare, and super of $10,670 paid by the employer. Use our [take-home pay](/topics/take-home) tool for a detailed estimate.

Does the production manager salary include casual loading or penalty rates?

No. The conversion from hourly to annual assumes a flat base rate with no casual loading, penalty rates, or allowances. If you are a casual employee, the Fair Work Commission’s National Minimum Wage includes a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate ($33.05 per hour from 1 July 2026). For award-covered production managers, penalty rates for overtime, weekends, or public holidays may apply. Our [casual loading](/topics/casual-loading) page explains how to add the loading correctly. Always check your award or agreement for the exact rates.

Production Manager Salary: Converting Hourly Rates to Annual Pay (2026–27)

For a production manager earning $45 per hour, the annual salary is approximately $88,920 based on a 38-hour week, before tax and super.

Understanding the Production Manager Salary Conversion

If you’re negotiating a production manager salary or comparing job offers, converting an hourly rate to an annual figure is essential. The standard formula is straightforward: multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then by 52 weeks. For full-time roles, the typical assumption is 38 ordinary hours per week, as defined by the Fair Work Commission. This gives you the gross annual salary before tax, super, and any deductions.

For example, a production manager earning $45 per hour working 38 hours a week would have an annual salary of $45 × 38 × 52 = $88,920. This is the figure you would use to estimate tax and super. The same calculation works for any hourly rate – just adjust the hours if you work part-time or overtime.

The Fortnightly Perspective

Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your gross fortnightly pay, multiply your weekly pay by 2. For the $45/hour example, weekly pay is $1,710, so fortnightly is $3,420. This can help you budget and compare with salary offers quoted per fortnight.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates vs Market Rates

It’s important to distinguish between different pay standards. The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week for 38 hours). This is the legal minimum for award/agreement-free employees. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making it $33.05 per hour.

However, most production managers are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement. Award minimum wages increased by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman. The specific award for your industry (e.g., Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award) sets minimum rates for classifications like Production Manager. These rates are often higher than the National Minimum Wage.

Market rates for production managers can exceed award minima. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 (May 2026), which translates to about $54.83 per hour. A competitive production manager salary might range from $40 to $70 per hour depending on experience, location, and industry.

Tax and Medicare on Your Production Manager Salary

Once you have your gross annual salary, you can estimate tax using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

$0 – $18,200: Nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% on the excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: 30% on the excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: 37% on the excess over $135,000
$190,001+: 45% on the excess over $190,000

Add the Medicare levy, generally 2% of your taxable income. (The 2025–26 single reduction thresholds are used here as the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed.) For a $88,920 salary, the tax would be approximately $16,267 plus Medicare of $1,778, leaving a take-home of about $70,875. Use our take-home pay calculator for a precise breakdown.

Super Guarantee Paid on Top

Superannuation is not deducted from your salary; it is paid on top by your employer. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a $88,920 salary, the employer contributes an extra $10,670 per year into your super fund. This amount is not included in your gross salary for tax purposes but is part of your total remuneration package.

Using Our Tools

Our the timesheet lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add casual loading. It calculates annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures, along with estimated tax and super. For award-specific rates, refer to our pay guides or reference tables. If you need to compare a salary offer, our average pay page provides industry benchmarks.

Remember: the conversion assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Always check your employment contract or award for the exact conditions.

Key Takeaways

Formula: Annual = hourly × hours per week × 52 (assume 38 hours for full-time).
Fortnightly: Multiply weekly pay by 2.
National Minimum Wage: $26.44/hour; casual $33.05/hour.
Award rates: Check the relevant modern award for minimums.
Tax: Use 2026–27 resident rates plus 2% Medicare.
Super: 12% on top, up to $270,830.

For a detailed estimate of your production manager salary, start with our hourly conversion tool.