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. For a standard full-time role, this is hourly × 38 × 52. For example, the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour gives $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,254.80 per year. If you work different hours, adjust the weekly figure accordingly.

What is casual loading and how does it affect my annual pay?

Casual loading is an additional 25% on top of the base hourly rate, compensating for lack of paid leave. For the National Minimum Wage, the casual rate is $33.05 per hour. When converting to annual pay, use the casual rate in the formula: $33.05 × 38 × 52 = $65,318.80 per year. Remember, super is still paid on top of this amount.

How is superannuation calculated on top of my salary?

Superannuation is paid by your employer on top of your ordinary earnings, currently at 12% of your gross pay. It does not come out of your salary. For example, on a $52,254.80 annual salary, super would be an additional $6,270.58, but only up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not included in your take-home pay.

From Hourly Rate to CEO Salary: Understanding Annual Pay, Tax, and Super in Australia

For a full-time employee working 38 hours per week, annual gross pay is hourly rate × 38 × 52, with super paid on top.

Converting Your Hourly Rate to an Annual Salary

Whether you're negotiating a new job offer or checking your current pay, understanding how your hourly rate translates to an annual salary is essential. In Australia, the standard full-time week is 38 hours, as set by the National Employment Standards. The basic formula is:

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

This assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. For most full-time employees, we use 38 hours. If you work part-time, simply replace 38 with your usual weekly hours.

The National Minimum Wage and Award Rates

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. This is the legal floor for award/agreement-free employees. However, most workers are covered by a modern award, which sets higher minimum rates for specific industries and roles. You can find your award's pay rates using the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman.

For casual employees, a 25% loading applies. The casual minimum wage is $33.05 per hour. When converting to annual pay, use the casual rate: $33.05 × 38 × 52 = $65,318.80 per year. Remember, this is before tax and super.

From Hourly to Fortnightly and Annual

Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, simply double your weekly figure. For the minimum wage: $1,004.90 × 2 = $2,009.80 per fortnight. This can help you budget between pay cycles.

Superannuation: Paid on Top

Superannuation is not deducted from your salary; it is paid by your employer on top of your ordinary earnings. The current Super Guarantee rate is 12%, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a minimum wage earner, the annual super contribution would be $52,254.80 × 12% = $6,270.58. For higher earners, super stops once earnings exceed the cap. Use our super and packaging page for more details.

Tax and the Medicare Levy

Your annual gross pay is the starting point for tax calculations. For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are:

Nil up to $18,200
15% from $18,201 to $45,000
30% from $45,001 to $135,000
37% from $135,001 to $190,000
45% above $190,000

Plus, the Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income. For a minimum wage earner ($52,254.80), the tax would be approximately $5,092 (using the 15% and 30% brackets) plus $1,045 Medicare levy, leaving around $46,118 take-home pay. This is an estimate; your actual tax may vary with deductions or offsets.

What About a CEO Salary?

A CEO salary in Australia can range widely. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 in May 2026, which equates to about $108,352 per year. A CEO might earn many times that. For example, a CEO on $150 per hour working 38 hours would earn $150 × 38 × 52 = $296,400 per year. At that level, the top marginal tax rate of 45% applies, plus Medicare. Super would be capped at the $270,830 contribution base, so only the first $270,830 of earnings attract the 12% super contribution.

Our take-home pay calculator can help you estimate net income after tax and Medicare for any hourly rate.

Important Caveats

This conversion assumes a consistent hourly rate with no overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. It does not account for salary sacrifice, HELP repayments, or the Medicare levy surcharge. Always check your specific award or agreement for the correct rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides and a Pay and Conditions Tool for accurate entitlements.

For more details on minimum wages, see our minimum wage page. To explore average earnings, visit average pay.

Summary

To convert your hourly rate to annual salary: multiply by your weekly hours (usually 38) and by 52. Add 12% super on top (up to the cap). Then apply tax brackets and the Medicare levy to estimate take-home pay. Whether you're on the minimum wage or a CEO salary, this formula gives you a clear picture of your annual earnings.