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

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work per week (typically 38 for full-time) and then by 52 weeks. For example, $30/hour × 38 × 52 = $59,280 per year before tax and super. This is the gross annual salary. Your take-home pay will be lower after tax and the Medicare levy, and your employer pays super on top.

What is the difference between the National Minimum Wage and award rates?

The National Minimum Wage is the base rate for award/agreement-free employees, currently $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026 (or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours). Award rates are higher minimums set by industry awards, which increased by 4.75% from the same date. Casual employees get a 25% loading on top of the minimum wage, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides for your specific award.

How is superannuation calculated on my salary?

Super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid by your employer on top of your base salary. For example, if your annual base salary is $80,000, your employer contributes an additional $9,600 in super, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an extra cost for the employer.

Use a Seek Calculator Salary to Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay

For a 38-hour week, your annual gross pay is your hourly rate multiplied by 38 hours per week and 52 weeks per year.

Converting Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay with a Seek Calculator Salary

If you’re negotiating a new job or comparing offers, you’ve probably used a seek calculator salary tool to see how an hourly rate translates into annual earnings. These calculators are handy, but it’s important to understand the assumptions behind them. This guide explains the conversion for a standard 38-hour week, how tax and super affect your take-home pay, and where the National Minimum Wage and award rates fit in.

The Basic Formula: Hourly × Hours × 52

The standard way to estimate annual gross pay is:

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

For a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours each week, the formula becomes:

Annual gross = hourly rate × 38 × 52

For example, if you earn $30 per hour:

$30 × 38 × 52 = $59,280 per year

This is your base salary before tax and before your employer adds superannuation. The same calculation works for any hourly rate, but it assumes you work the same number of hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. If you work part-time or irregular hours, adjust the weekly hours accordingly.

Why 38 Hours? The Standard Full-Time Week

Australia’s National Minimum Wage is set for a 38-hour week, as confirmed by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, the minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week. Most awards and agreements also use 38 hours as the ordinary full-time week. When you use a seek calculator salary tool, it typically defaults to 38 hours unless you change it. Always check the hours assumption – if your role is 40 hours, multiply by 40 instead.

From Annual to Fortnightly Pay

Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your gross fortnightly pay, divide the annual figure by 26 (since there are 26 fortnights in a year). Alternatively, multiply your weekly pay by 2. Using the $30/hour example:

Weekly: $30 × 38 = $1,140
Fortnightly: $1,140 × 2 = $2,280
Annual: $1,140 × 52 = $59,280

A seek calculator salary tool often shows these breakdowns automatically, as seen on the SEEK pay calculator.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates vs Casual Loading

It’s important to distinguish between different pay types:

National Minimum Wage: $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week) for award/agreement-free employees. This is the legal floor.
Award minimum wages: Higher rates set by industry awards. From 1 July 2026, award rates increased by 4.75%. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides for your classification.
Casual loading: Casual employees get an extra 25% on top of the minimum wage, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. This loading compensates for not receiving paid leave. When using a seek calculator salary, you can often toggle casual loading on or off. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading – the calculator should add it separately.

Tax and Medicare Levy

Once you have your annual gross salary, you can estimate tax using the 2026–27 resident tax rates from the Australian Taxation Office:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% on the excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: $5,092 plus 30% on the excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: $29,467 plus 37% on the excess over $135,000
$190,001+: $51,667 plus 45% on the excess over $190,000

Most residents also pay a Medicare levy of 2% of taxable income. For example, on a $59,280 gross salary, tax would be approximately $9,276 plus Medicare of $1,186, leaving a take-home pay of about $48,818. Use our take-home pay page for a detailed breakdown.

Superannuation: Paid on Top

Super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid by your employer on top of your base salary. It does not reduce your take-home pay. For a $59,280 base salary, your employer contributes an extra $7,114 in super (12% of $59,280), up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Learn more about super and packaging.

Differences in Ordinary-Time Earnings

Not all workers earn the same. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time at $2,083.70 per week (May 2026). That’s about $108,352 per year – well above the minimum wage. All employees total earnings (including part-time) average $1,579.20 per week. These figures highlight the range of pay across industries. A seek calculator salary can help you see where your offer sits relative to these benchmarks.

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 a quick estimate, start with our the timesheet, where you can enter your base hourly rate and optionally add casual loading. Then check the reference tables for tax and super rates.