What is the typical site engineer salary in Australia?

Site engineer salaries vary by award classification and experience. Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020, a Level 5 employee (common for site engineers) earns a minimum of $31.31 per hour, or $1,189.60 per week for 38 hours. This equates to about $61,860 annually before tax and super. However, many site engineers are covered by enterprise agreements or professional awards that pay higher rates. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports average weekly earnings for full-time adults at $2,083.70 (May 2026), which is roughly $108,352 per year.

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 by 52 weeks. For a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours per week, the formula is: hourly rate × 38 × 52. For example, $31.31 per hour × 38 × 52 = $61,860.16. If you work different hours, adjust the weekly hours accordingly. Remember that this calculation assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, and no penalty rates. For a fortnightly figure, multiply your weekly pay by 2.

Does the site engineer salary include super and casual loading?

No. The base salary is the minimum rate before super and casual loading. Superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of the base rate, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the base hourly rate (e.g., $31.31 becomes $39.14) to compensate for leave entitlements. The loading is added to the hourly rate before calculating annual pay. Always check your award or agreement for the correct classification and allowances.

Site Engineer Salary: How to Convert Hourly Rates to Annual Pay

For a site engineer under the Building and Construction General On-site Award, the minimum hourly rate at Level 5 is $31.31, giving an annual gross of about $61,860 based on 38 hours per week.

Understanding the Site Engineer Salary: Hourly to Annual

If you’re working out a site engineer salary, the most straightforward method is to convert your hourly rate into an annual figure. This guide explains the formula, the relevant award rates, and what to consider for casual loading, superannuation, and tax. We’ll use the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 as a reference, since many site engineers in the construction industry are covered by it.

The Basic Formula: Hourly × Hours × 52

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. For a full-time employee, we assume 38 ordinary hours per week, as set by the Fair Work Commission. So the calculation becomes:

hourly rate × 38 × 52

For example, if your site engineer salary is based on the award’s Level 5 rate of $31.31 per hour, your annual gross would be:

$31.31 × 38 × 52 = $61,860.16

You can also work out your fortnightly pay by multiplying your weekly pay by 2. A weekly pay of $1,189.60 becomes $2,379.20 per fortnight.

Award Rates for Site Engineers

The Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 sets minimum rates for various classifications. Site engineers are often classified at Level 5 or Level 6, depending on their duties and experience. The current minimum weekly rates (from 1 July 2026) are:

Level 5: $1,189.60 per week ($31.31 per hour)
Level 6: $1,221.30 per week ($32.14 per hour)

These are base rates only. The ordinary hourly rate also includes industry allowances and other all-purpose allowances as defined in the award. For daily hire employees, the hourly rate is adjusted by a factor of 52/50.4 to account for lost time between jobs. Our hourly conversion tool can help you apply the correct multiplier.

Comparing to the National Minimum Wage and ABS Averages

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week for 38 hours). A site engineer salary under the award is well above this minimum. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that average weekly earnings for full-time adult employees in May 2026 were $2,083.70, which is about $108,352 per year. This average includes all occupations and experience levels, so your site engineer salary may be higher or lower depending on your role and location.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

If you work as a casual site engineer, you are entitled to a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate. This loading compensates for not receiving paid leave. For a Level 5 casual, the rate becomes $31.31 × 1.25 = $39.14 per hour. Use our casual loading page to see how this affects your annual pay.

Superannuation guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, paid by your employer on top of your salary. The maximum contribution base for 2026–27 is $270,830 per year. For a site engineer earning $61,860, the super contribution would be $7,423.20 per year. This is not deducted from your pay; it’s an additional benefit.

Tax on Your Site Engineer Salary

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

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

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed). For a site engineer earning $61,860, the tax would be approximately:

$0 on first $18,200
15% on $26,800 ($18,201 to $45,000) = $4,020
30% on $16,860 ($45,001 to $61,860) = $5,058
Total tax = $9,078
Medicare levy (2% of $61,860) = $1,237.20
Total tax and Medicare = $10,315.20

Your take-home pay would be about $51,544.80 per year. Use our take-home pay estimator for a personalised calculation.

Important Notes

This guide uses the Building and Construction award as an example, but your actual site engineer salary may be governed by a different award or an enterprise agreement. Always check your pay slip and consult the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides for your specific classification. The annual figure here assumes 38 hours per week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, 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 uses the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

For a quick calculation, try the timesheet. Enter your base hourly rate, and check the casual loading box if applicable. The tool will show your weekly, fortnightly, and annual gross pay, plus estimated super and tax.