How do I convert my hourly rate to an annual salary?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52 weeks. For a standard full-time role of 38 hours per week, the formula is: hourly rate × 38 × 52. For example, the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour gives $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,283.36 per year. This assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. If you work different hours, adjust the weekly figure accordingly.

What is the difference between the National Minimum Wage and award rates?

The National Minimum Wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026) is the legal minimum for employees not covered by an award or agreement. Award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission for specific industries and occupations and are often higher. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading on top of the minimum or award rate (e.g., $33.05 per hour for minimum wage casuals). Always check your award or agreement for your correct rate – the figures on this page are averages or minimums, not your job’s median.

How does superannuation and tax affect my take-home pay?

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at 12% (up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base). For a $52,283.36 annual salary, that’s an extra $6,274.00 into your super fund. Tax is deducted from your gross pay using the 2026–27 resident rates: nil on the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy adds 2% (based on 2025–26 single thresholds). For a precise estimate, use our take-home pay calculator on the site.

Hourly to Annual Pay Calculator: Use Our Salary Sacrifice Novated Lease Calculator for Better Planning

Based on the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour for 38 hours per week, annual gross pay is $52,283.36 before tax and super.

Understanding Your Hourly to Annual Conversion

When you have an hourly rate or a salary offer, converting between the two helps you compare jobs and plan your budget. Our calculator uses the standard formula: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. We assume a 38-hour week for full-time work, as this is the ordinary hours defined by the Fair Work Ombudsman for many awards. If your hours differ, simply replace 38 with your usual weekly hours.

For example, the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour. For 38 hours:

Weekly: $26.44 × 38 = $1,004.90
Fortnightly: $1,004.90 × 2 = $2,009.80
Annual: $1,004.90 × 52 = $52,283.36

This annual figure is gross – before tax, Medicare levy, and any salary sacrifice arrangements. Superannuation is paid on top by your employer at 12% of ordinary earnings (up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base).

Differences in Ordinary-Time Earnings

The National Minimum Wage is the legal floor, but most employees earn more. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026), full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week – that’s $108,352.40 per year. When all employees (including part-time and casual) are included, the average weekly total earnings are $1,579.20, or $82,118.40 annually. These are averages across the workforce, not medians for any specific job. Your actual rate depends on your award, enterprise agreement, or individual contract.

Award rates set by the Fair Work Commission vary by industry and classification. They often include penalty rates for weekends, evenings, or public holidays. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate (e.g., $33.05 per hour for minimum wage casuals). Our calculator has a checkbox to add this loading – never type a rate that already includes casual loading.

Superannuation and Salary Packaging

Super is calculated on your ordinary earnings and paid in addition to your salary. For the minimum wage example, your employer contributes $6,274.00 per year (12% of $52,283.36). If you earn above the maximum contribution base ($270,830), super only applies up to that limit.

If you are considering a salary sacrifice arrangement – such as a novated lease for a car – your take-home pay changes because you redirect pre-tax dollars to cover the lease. Our super and packaging page includes a salary sacrifice novated lease calculator to help you model the impact. Remember that the annual figures on this page do not account for salary sacrifice; they assume no packaging.

Tax and Medicare

Tax is deducted using the 2026–27 resident rates. For the minimum wage earner ($52,283.36):

Tax-free threshold: $18,200
15% on $26,800 (from $18,201 to $45,000) = $4,020
30% on $7,283.36 (from $45,001 to $52,283.36) = $2,185.01
Total tax: $6,205.01
Medicare levy (2%): $1,045.67 (based on 2025–26 single thresholds)
Net annual pay: $52,283.36 – $6,205.01 – $1,045.67 = $45,032.68

For a more detailed breakdown, see our take-home pay page. Note that HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not included here.

Using the Calculator

Our the timesheet lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add 25% casual loading. It then shows your weekly, fortnightly, and annual gross pay, plus estimated super and tax. The fortnightly figure is simply your weekly pay times two – useful for budgeting if you are paid fortnightly.

If you are comparing job offers, remember that award rates and enterprise agreements may include allowances or loadings not captured by a simple hourly rate. Always check the relevant pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman for your industry.

For reference tables of minimum wages and award classifications, visit our reference tables page. And if you need to understand how your pay compares to industry averages, see average pay – but remember these are averages, not your job’s median.

Important 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.

For a customised estimate that includes your specific circumstances – such as a salary sacrifice novated lease – use our salary sacrifice novated lease calculator on the super and packaging page. It will help you see the effect on your fortnightly and annual take-home pay.