How do I calculate my annual salary from an hourly rate?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work per week, then multiply by 52. For a standard 38-hour week, that's hourly × 38 × 52 = annual gross. If you work different hours, adjust accordingly. The [hourly conversion](/topics/hourly-conversion) guide explains this in detail.

What is the difference between the National Minimum Wage and an award rate?

The National Minimum Wage is the legal minimum for all employees not covered by an award. Award rates are industry- or occupation-specific and are often higher. For example, many awards set rates above the minimum wage. Check your award via the Fair Work Ombudsman's [pay guides](/blog).

How is superannuation calculated on my pay?

Super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary. It stops once your earnings exceed $270,830 per year. Super is not deducted from your hourly rate; it's an additional cost for your employer. See [super and packaging](/topics/super-and-packaging) for more.

Hourly to Annual: National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates and the Median Salary Sydney

Your annual gross pay is your hourly rate multiplied by 1976 hours (38 hours per week × 52 weeks), assuming no unpaid overtime or penalty rates.

From Hourly Rate to Annual Salary

When you're offered an hourly rate or a salary, it helps to see the full picture: what you'll earn in a year, every fortnight, and what's left after tax and super. This guide walks you through the numbers, using the National Minimum Wage and award rates as benchmarks, and touches on the median salary Sydney to give context.

The Basic Formula

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. For a standard full-time week of 38 hours, that's hourly × 38 × 52 = hourly × 1,976. This assumes you work the same hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. It's a clean starting point.

Your fortnightly pay is simply your weekly pay multiplied by two. So if you earn $30 per hour, your weekly gross is $1,140 (30 × 38), and your fortnightly gross is $2,280.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. Casual employees get a 25% loading, making it $33.05 per hour. This is the legal floor – no one can pay less.

But many workers are covered by an award, which sets minimum pay rates for specific industries or jobs. Award rates are often higher than the National Minimum Wage. For example, a retail or hospitality award might start at $28 or $30 per hour. Always check your award via the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides. The minimum wage page has more on how these interact.

If you're casual, your base rate should already include the 25% loading. On our timesheet, you can enter your base hourly rate and tick a checkbox to add casual loading on top. Never enter a rate that already includes loading – the calculator handles that for you.

Superannuation: Paid on Top

Super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, and it's paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it. So if your annual gross is $60,000, your employer contributes an extra $7,200 in super, up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base. This is separate from your take-home pay. For more, see super and packaging.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

For the 2026–27 year, resident tax rates 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 the Medicare levy of 2% (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds, as 2026–27 thresholds weren't confirmed). This is an estimate – it doesn't include HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.

Use our take-home pay guide to see how much you'd keep after tax.

The Median Salary Sydney

You might hear about the median salary Sydney – the midpoint of all salaries in Sydney, meaning half earn more and half earn less. The Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes average weekly earnings, but those are averages, not medians. For full-time adult ordinary time, the average is $2,083.70 per week (May 2026). That's a useful benchmark, but it's an average across all industries and occupations, not a median for your specific job.

When comparing your hourly rate to the median salary Sydney, remember that the median is a general figure. Your job's pay depends on your award, experience, and employer. The average pay page explains how averages differ from medians.

Putting It All Together

Let's say you earn $30 per hour, working 38 hours a week. Your annual gross is $59,280 (30 × 38 × 52). Fortnightly gross is $2,280. After tax (using the 2026–27 scale) and Medicare, your take-home pay is roughly $46,000–$47,000, depending on your exact deductions. Super adds $7,113.60 on top.

If you're on the National Minimum Wage ($26.44), annual gross is $52,246.72. If you're on an award rate of $28, it's $55,328. The difference matters.

Casual Loading and Part-Time Hours

If you're casual, your base rate may already include the 25% loading. But if you're comparing a salary offer, check whether it's for a permanent or casual role. Casual loading compensates for lack of paid leave. Use our casual loading guide to understand the trade-offs.

For part-time work, adjust the hours per week. The formula still works: hourly × actual hours × 52. Your fortnightly pay will vary if your hours fluctuate.

Final Checks

Always confirm your award or agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman has pay guides for most industries.
Super is paid on top of your salary, not included in your hourly rate.
Tax estimates are based on 2026–27 rates and the full tax-free threshold. Use the reference tables for more precise calculations.
The median salary Sydney is a useful reference, but it's an average across all jobs, not a target for your role.

This guide gives you the tools to convert any hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and after-tax figures. For a quick calculation, use our timesheet.