Engineering manager salary: award coverage and the legal minimum

Engineering manager salary: award coverage and the legal minimum

When you search for an "engineering manager salary", you will find a wide range of figures – from survey medians to advertised roles. But the most important number to know is the legal minimum that applies to you. That minimum depends on whether you are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement, or whether you are award-free.

Award coverage for engineering managers

Engineering managers (ANZSCO 1332) plan, organise, direct, control and coordinate engineering and technical operations. Many are covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020 or the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020, depending on the industry and duties. If a modern award applies, the minimum salary for your classification level is set by that award – and it will be higher than the national minimum wage.

The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database contains the calculated minimum rates for each award, but those rates change each year after the Annual Wage Review. For the most up-to-date figure, check the relevant award or ask your employer.

Award-free engineering managers

If no modern award or enterprise agreement covers your role, you are award-free. In that case, the legal minimum is the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, that is:

• $26.44 per hour
• $1,004.90 per week (for a 38-hour ordinary week)
• $33.05 per hour for casual employees (includes 25% casual loading)

These rates apply to adult national-system employees. Juniors, apprentices, and trainees have lower minimums set by law. Remember: an enterprise agreement can set a higher rate than the award or national minimum, but never lower.

How the median engineering manager salary compares

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that the median full-time weekly earnings for engineering managers is $3,519, and median hourly earnings are $91 (Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025). That is about 3.4 times the national minimum hourly rate. However, the median hides a wide spread: the middle half of engineers earn between $110,000 and $183,000 per year, according to Professionals Australia's 2026 Engineers Remuneration Report.

These survey averages are not legal minimums. They reflect what employers are paying in the market, which can vary by industry, location, experience, and responsibility. The ABS data also notes that 96% of engineering managers work full-time, with an average of 45 hours per week – above the standard 38-hour week.

Superannuation is on top

Whatever your salary, your employer must pay the superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of your ordinary time earnings. This is not deducted from your salary; it is an additional payment into your super fund. For award-free employees, the super guarantee applies to the national minimum wage as well.

How to find your correct minimum

To know your exact pay floor, start by identifying whether a modern award covers you. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides free tools and advice. If you are award-free, the national minimum wage is your backstop. If you are covered by an award, look up the classification level that matches your duties and experience.

For more detail on how minimum wages are set and which rates apply to different situations, see our guides:

• Which minimum wage applies – helps you determine your coverage
• How the figures work – explains the sources and calculations behind the rates

The bottom line

An "engineering manager salary" can be much higher than the legal minimum, but the floor is clear: award-free managers get at least $26.44 per hour, while award-covered managers get the rate set by their award. Always check your coverage before comparing your pay to survey medians.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.