What is the national minimum wage in 2026–27?

From 1 July 2026 the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1004.90 per week for 38 ordinary hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the minimum $33.05 per hour. This is the legal floor for award/agreement-free employees.

How do I find the correct award rate for a social media manager?

Social media managers are often covered by the Professional Employees Award or the Clerks Award. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides and Pay and Conditions Tool to find the minimum rate for your classification. Award rates are higher than the National Minimum Wage.

Does the calculator include superannuation?

Yes, super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings and is paid on top of your gross pay. It stops once your earnings reach the maximum contribution base of $270,830. The calculator does not deduct tax or Medicare from the super amount.

Social Media Manager Salary: How to Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay

A social media manager salary is typically based on an award rate; for a full-time employee on 38 hours per week, the annual gross pay is hourly rate × 38 × 52.

Understanding Your Social Media Manager Salary

If you're working as a social media manager or considering a job offer, you'll want to know how your hourly rate translates into annual, fortnightly, and weekly pay. This guide explains the key calculations, the difference between the National Minimum Wage and award rates, and how super and tax affect your take-home pay. We'll use the latest figures from the Fair Work Commission and the Fair Work Ombudsman.

How Annual Pay Is Calculated

The basic formula for annual gross pay is:

Hourly rate × hours per week × 52

Most full-time roles are based on 38 ordinary hours per week, which is the standard used by the Fair Work Commission for the National Minimum Wage. If you work part-time or casual, your hours may vary. For a social media manager salary, always check your employment contract or award for your agreed weekly hours.

To find your fortnightly pay, simply multiply your weekly pay by two. For example, if your weekly gross is $1,000, your fortnightly gross is $2,000. This is useful for budgeting if you're paid every two weeks.

The National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1004.90 per week for 38 hours. This is the legal minimum for employees not covered by an award or enterprise agreement. Casual employees get a 25% loading on top, making it $33.05 per hour.

However, most social media managers are covered by an award. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award, which set minimum pay rates, allowances, and penalty rates. For example, a social media manager might fall under the Professional Employees Award or the Clerks Award. These award rates are typically higher than the National Minimum Wage. You can use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool to find the exact rate for your classification and experience level.

Casual Loading

If you work as a casual social media manager, your hourly rate must include a 25% casual loading on top of the minimum award rate. This compensates for not receiving paid leave. When using our timesheet, you can check a box to add the 25% loading to your base hourly rate. Do not enter a rate that already includes the loading – the calculator will apply it for you.

Superannuation and Tax

Superannuation is paid by your employer on top of your gross pay. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a social media manager salary, this means your total employment cost is higher than your gross pay.

Tax is deducted from your pay before you receive it. The 2026–27 resident tax rates for residents 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 Medicare levy of 2% (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds). The calculator uses these rates to estimate your annual tax and Medicare. It does not account for HELP debts, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.

Example: Social Media Manager Salary Calculation

Let's say you're a full-time social media manager earning $35 per hour under the Professional Employees Award, working 38 hours per week.

Weekly gross: $35 × 38 = $1,330
Fortnightly gross: $1,330 × 2 = $2,660
Annual gross: $1,330 × 52 = $69,160
Super (12%): $69,160 × 0.12 = $8,299.20 (paid on top)
Estimated annual tax (including Medicare): approximately $12,000 (varies by individual circumstances)

This is a simplified example. Your actual pay may differ due to penalties, allowances, or salary sacrifice.

Important Note

Annual pay shown 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 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.

For more detailed information, refer to our reference tables or minimum wage page.