What is the minimum hourly rate for a structural engineer under the Professional Employees Award?

The Professional Employees Award 2020 sets minimum hourly rates for engineers. For a Level 2 experienced professional, the minimum hourly rate is $39.77 per hour (annual wage $78,836). For a Level 1 graduate (3-year degree) it is $33.71 per hour. These rates apply from 1 July 2026, after the 4.75% award increase.

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

Multiply your hourly rate by hours per week (usually 38 hours) and then by 52 weeks. For example, a $39.77 per hour structural engineer earns $39.77 × 38 × 52 = $78,836 per year. This is the base annual wage before tax and super.

Is superannuation included in the hourly rate for a structural engineer?

No, super is paid on top of the base hourly rate. Under the award, employers must contribute at least 12% of ordinary earnings to a super fund, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. So for a $39.77 per hour engineer, super adds about $4.77 per hour (12% of $39.77) into your fund.

Structural Engineer Salary Guide: Hourly Rates, Annual Pay, and Fortnightly Breakdown

A structural engineer under the Professional Employees Award earns a minimum hourly rate of $39.77 (Level 2), equating to $78,836 annually for a 38-hour week.

Understanding Your Structural Engineer Salary

If you are a structural engineer in Australia, your pay is likely covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020 (MA000065). This award sets minimum hourly rates for engineers based on your classification and experience. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides that include these rates, which increased by 4.75% from 1 July 2026. This article explains how to convert your hourly rate into annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures, and what to expect for tax and super.

Hourly to Annual Conversion

The standard full-time week under the award is 38 hours. To calculate your annual gross salary:

Annual salary = hourly rate × 38 hours × 52 weeks

For example, a Level 2 experienced professional structural engineer on $39.77 per hour earns:

Weekly: $39.77 × 38 = $1,511.26
Fortnightly: $1,511.26 × 2 = $3,022.52
Annual: $1,511.26 × 52 = $78,836

This matches the annual wage in the award table. Always use 52 weeks because the award uses a 52-week year. The hourly conversion tool on this site uses the same formula.

Award Classifications for Structural Engineers

The Professional Employees Award has several levels relevant to structural engineers:

Level 1 Graduate (3-year degree): $33.71/hr → $66,825/yr
Level 1 Graduate (4- or 5-year degree): $34.57/hr → $68,538/yr
Level 2 Experienced Professional: $39.77/hr → $78,836/yr
Level 3 Professional/Senior: $43.46/hr → $86,157/yr
Level 4 Professional: $49.02/hr → $97,173/yr
Level 5 Experienced Medical Research Employee (also applies to some senior engineers): $59.05/hr → $117,064/yr

Your actual classification depends on your qualifications and duties. Check the award definitions for 'Experienced engineer' which requires qualifications at least equal to a member of Engineers Australia.

Casual Loading

If you work as a casual structural engineer, you receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For a Level 2 casual:

Base: $39.77/hr
Casual loading: $39.77 × 25% = $9.94
Casual rate: $49.71/hr

This loading compensates for not receiving paid leave. The casual loading page explains more. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading into the calculator; use the base rate and tick the casual checkbox.

Fortnightly Pay

Many employers pay fortnightly. For a full-time structural engineer on $39.77/hr:

Fortnightly gross: $39.77 × 38 × 2 = $3,022.52

After tax (2026–27 rates) and Medicare levy (2%), the take-home pay for this fortnight would be approximately $2,530 (estimate). Use the take-home pay guide for detailed calculations.

Tax and Medicare

Resident tax rates for 2026–27:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15%
$45,001 – $135,000: 30%
$135,001 – $190,000: 37%
Above $190,000: 45%

Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income (with reductions for low income). For a $78,836 salary, tax plus Medicare is roughly $15,800, leaving about $63,000 take-home.

Superannuation

Super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary. For a $78,836 salary, the employer contributes $9,460 per year into your super fund, up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base. This is not deducted from your pay. See super and packaging for more.

National Minimum Wage Comparison

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). A structural engineer at Level 2 earns well above this. The award minimum wages are higher than the national minimum for most classifications.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

Our timesheet calculator lets you enter your base hourly rate. If you are casual, tick the 25% loading checkbox. The calculator will show your weekly, fortnightly, and annual gross pay, plus estimated tax and super. It assumes 38 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, and no unpaid overtime or penalty rates.

Important Notes

The figures here are minimum rates under the award. Your actual pay may be higher if an enterprise agreement applies or if you negotiate above award.
Penalty rates for evening, Sunday, or public holiday work are additional. For full-time employees, Monday–Saturday before 6 am or after 10 pm is 125% of the hourly rate; Sunday is 150%; public holiday is 150%. Casuals get higher penalty rates (e.g., Sunday 175%).
Annual leave loading of 17.5% applies when taking leave, capped at average weekly earnings.
This estimate does not include HELP repayments, Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.

For more detailed reference tables, see our reference tables page. You can also explore average pay across industries.

Summary

A structural engineer salary under the Professional Employees Award ranges from about $66,825 for a graduate to over $117,000 for a senior professional. Using the simple formula hourly × 38 × 52 gives your annual gross. Remember that super is extra, and tax depends on your total income. Use this guide to understand your pay and plan your finances.