Median earnings for Australian employees rose 4.3% year over year in August to AUD 1,200 (USD 855) per week, an increase of AUD 50 (USD 35.6), according to a report this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The highest median weekly earnings were in the Australian Capital Territory at AUD 1,500 (USD 1,067) per week. It was followed by the Northern Territory at AUD 1,342 (USD 956), Western Australia at AUD 1,250 (USD 891) and New South Wales at AUD 1,249 (USD 890).

Lowest median weekly earnings in August were in Tasmania at AUD 1,000 (USD 713) per week and South Australia at AUD 1,100 (USD 784) per week.

Sydney posted the highest median weekly earnings in August of AUD 1,300 (USD 926) per week. It was followed by:

• Perth, AUD 1,211 (USD 863)
• Melbourne, AUD 1,200 (USD 855)
• Brisbane, AUD 1,199 (USD 854)

In August 2021, the occupations with highest median weekly earnings were managers  at AUD 1,850 (USD 1,318) per week  and professionals at AUD 1,600 (USD 1,140). The lowest were sales workers at AUD 674 (USD 480), community and personal service workers at AUD 798 (USD 569), and labourers at AUD 800 (USD 570).

The mining industry had the highest median weekly earnings at AUD 2,349 (USD 1,673) per week.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics noted that wages for women were up 3.3% in August when compared to August 2015 because the proportion of women working full-time increased. For men, the median weekly wage increased just 2.7% during that same time.