What is the minimum wage for a civil engineer in Australia?

There is no single minimum wage for all civil engineers. Most are covered by a modern award, such as the Professional Employees Award 2020, which sets minimum rates based on classification and experience. If no award or registered agreement applies, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) is the floor. Always check the applicable award or agreement first.

How does the civil engineer salary compare to the national minimum wage?

According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the median full-time weekly earnings for civil engineering professionals is $2,217 before tax. That is more than double the national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week. However, many civil engineers are paid above the award rate through enterprise agreements or individual negotiation.

Does the civil engineer salary include superannuation?

No. Salary figures quoted by employers or in surveys (including the ABS median) are usually before tax and do not include superannuation. Employers must pay super guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings for most employees. So a $2,217 weekly salary would attract an additional $266 in super, making total employment cost about $2,483.

Civil engineer salary: award coverage, minimum rates and what the ABS reports

The legal minimum for a civil engineer depends on the applicable modern award or enterprise agreement; the ABS reports a median full-time weekly earnings of $2,217 before tax, with 12% super on top.

Understanding the civil engineer salary: award coverage vs award-free rates

When researching a civil engineer salary in Australia, it is important to separate the legal minimum from survey averages and negotiated pay. This guide explains the different pay floors and how they apply.

The legal minimum: award coverage

Most civil engineers are covered by a modern award. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database contains the minimum rates, allowances and penalty rates for each award. For civil engineering professionals, the relevant award is typically the Professional Employees Award 2020. This award sets minimum wages for classifications such as Engineer Level 1 through to Level 5, with rates that increase with experience and responsibility.

Because award rates are updated each year following the Annual Wage Review, you should check the current classification spreadsheet from the Fair Work Commission or use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool. The award minimum is the legal floor – an employer cannot pay less unless a registered enterprise agreement provides a higher rate.

If a civil engineer is not covered by any award or agreement (rare in this profession), the national minimum wage applies. From 1 July 2026, that is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult employee. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour.

Survey averages: what the ABS reports

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides a useful benchmark through its Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours. For civil engineering professionals (ANZSCO 2332), the median full-time weekly earnings before tax is $2,217 (Jobs and Skills Australia). This figure is for non-managerial adult employees working full-time. It is a survey average, not a legal minimum, and actual salaries vary by location, experience, and employer.

The ABS also reports that the median hourly earnings for this occupation is $59, compared to $47 for all occupations. The average full-time hours worked per week is 44 hours, which is typical for professionals.

Award-free employees and junior rates

If a civil engineer is award-free and agreement-free (for example, a sole trader or a very small number of employees), the national minimum wage applies. For juniors under 21, the national minimum is reduced by a percentage based on age. For example, an 18-year-old award-free junior receives 68.3% of the adult rate, or $18.06 per hour. However, most civil engineers are adults and covered by an award that sets higher rates.

Superannuation is on top

All salary figures discussed here – whether award rates, the national minimum, or the ABS median – are before tax and do not include superannuation. Employers must pay the super guarantee, which is 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2026. So a civil engineer earning $2,217 per week would have an additional $266 paid into their super fund.

How to find the right rate for you

Check your award: Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool or the Fair Work Commission’s database to find the correct classification and minimum rate.
Look for an enterprise agreement: Many large engineering firms have registered agreements that set higher rates than the award.
Compare with survey data: The ABS median gives a market benchmark, but remember it is an average, not a guarantee.

For more detail on how minimum wages are set, see our How the figures work page. To browse current award rates, visit our Rate tables.

Important caveats

The national minimum wage and award rates apply to national-system employees. Most private-sector employees are covered, but some state public sector and local government workers may be under state awards. Always confirm your coverage with your employer or a workplace advisor.

This guide is for orientation only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. For a binding determination, consult the Fair Work Ombudsman or a qualified professional.