What is the minimum hourly rate for a building surveyor under the Surveying Award?

The Surveying Award 2020 sets minimum hourly rates from $26.44 (Level 12) to $49.09 (Level 1) for full-time employees. A casual building surveyor receives a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 to $61.36 per hour. These rates are from the Fair Work Ombudsman's award summary.

How is annual pay calculated from an hourly building surveyor salary?

Annual gross pay is the hourly rate multiplied by hours per week (usually 38) times 52 weeks. For example, a Level 5 building surveyor at $37.24 per hour earns about $73,582 annually. Fortnightly pay is the weekly amount times two. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of ordinary earnings.

Does the building surveyor salary include casual loading and super?

The base award rate does not include casual loading or super. Casual employees get an additional 25% loading on the base rate. Superannuation is paid on top of ordinary earnings at 12% (from 1 July 2026) and is not part of the hourly rate. Use the timesheet to see the difference.

Building Surveyor Salary: Award Rates, Annual Pay, and Tax Guide

Under the Surveying Award 2020, building surveyors earn between $26.44 and $49.09 per hour (Level 12 to Level 1), with annual pay based on 38 hours per week for 52 weeks.

Understanding the Building Surveyor Salary Under the Surveying Award

A building surveyor salary is typically governed by the Surveying Award 2020 [MA000066] from the Fair Work Ombudsman. This award covers professional surveyors and sets minimum hourly rates across 12 classification levels. For a building surveyor, the classification depends on qualifications and duties, with rates ranging from $26.44 per hour at Level 12 to $49.09 per hour at Level 1. These are the minimums; many building surveyors earn above award, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics reporting full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 (May 2026), equating to about $54.83 per hour for a 38-hour week.

How to Convert Hourly Rate to Annual Pay

The standard formula for annual gross pay is:

Annual salary = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For full-time employees under the Surveying Award, ordinary hours are 38 per week (clause 14.1). So a building surveyor at Level 5 ($37.24 per hour) would earn:

Weekly: $37.24 × 38 = $1,415.12
Fortnightly: $1,415.12 × 2 = $2,830.24
Annual: $1,415.12 × 52 = $73,586.24

This assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, and no penalty rates. The hourly conversion guide explains this in more detail.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

If you work as a casual building surveyor, you receive a 25% loading on the base hourly rate (clause 11.1). For Level 5, that becomes $46.55 per hour. The casual loading page shows how this affects annual pay.

Superannuation is paid on top of ordinary earnings at 12% (from 1 July 2026) under the Superannuation Guarantee. For a full-time building surveyor earning $73,586 annually, the employer would contribute about $8,830 in super, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. This is not deducted from your pay but added separately. See super and packaging for more.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

For the 2026–27 financial year, the Australian Taxation Office resident tax rates are:

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

Plus a Medicare levy of 2% (using 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as 2026–27 not confirmed). For a building surveyor earning $73,586 annually, the estimated tax would be about $11,216 plus Medicare $1,472, leaving a take-home of about $60,898. Use the take-home pay calculator for your exact figures.

Using the Timesheet

Our the timesheet lets you enter your base hourly rate and toggle casual loading. It calculates weekly, fortnightly, and annual pay, plus super and estimated tax. Always use your base rate without casual loading – the checkbox adds it for you. For award-covered roles, check the pay guides for your classification.

Building Surveyor Salary vs National Minimum Wage

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week for 38 hours). A building surveyor at Level 1 earns nearly double that. Even the lowest award level (Level 12) matches the minimum. The minimum wage page has full details.

Reference Tables and Average Pay

For a quick comparison, the reference tables show award rates and ABS averages. The average pay page explains how building surveyor salaries compare to all employees total earnings of $1,579.20 per week (including part-time).

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 your specific situation, consult a professional.

For more on job-specific pay, see job pay.