Marketing salary: legal minimum and how it compares

Marketing salary: understanding the legal minimum

When you search for a marketing salary in Australia, it is important to separate the legal minimum from award rates, survey averages, and negotiated pay. This guide explains the floor that applies to marketing roles and how it compares with other figures.

The legal minimum for marketing roles

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours. This is the absolute minimum for any award-free and agreement-free employee aged 21 or over. If you are in a marketing role and not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement, this is your pay floor.

However, most marketing positions fall under a modern award. The most common is the Professional Employees Award 2020, which covers employees who perform professional marketing work, such as marketing coordinators, managers, and specialists. This award sets minimum rates higher than the national minimum. For example, a Marketing Coordinator at the lowest classification (Level 1) would receive a minimum weekly wage above $1,004.90. The exact figure depends on the classification level and any annual wage adjustments. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces these awards.

If your employer is covered by an enterprise agreement, that agreement may set a higher rate than both the award and the national minimum. You cannot be paid less than the legal floor, but you can be paid more.

How the national minimum compares with averages

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that in May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, and all employees (including part-time and casual) averaged $1,579.20 per week. These figures are not specific to marketing, but they show that the national minimum is well below the average. A typical marketing salary is likely to be higher than the minimum, but the reference does not provide a precise market rate for marketing roles.

Superannuation on top

When discussing any marketing salary, remember that the super guarantee is an employer payment on top of your base pay. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a full-time employee on the national minimum, that means an extra $120.59 per week into super. This is not part of your take-home pay but is a compulsory retirement contribution.

Casual loading and junior rates

If you are a casual marketing employee, you are entitled to a casual loading of 25% on top of the minimum hourly rate. For the national minimum, that is $33.05 per hour. Award casual loadings may differ.

Junior rates apply to award-free employees under 21. For example, a 19-year-old marketing assistant would receive 82.5% of the adult rate, or $21.82 per hour ($27.28 casual). These percentages are set by the Fair Work Commission and are not negotiable downwards.

When an award or agreement can set a higher rate

A modern award or enterprise agreement can require a higher rate than the national minimum. For marketing roles, the Professional Employees Award or the Clerks Award (for administrative marketing tasks) may apply. Always check your classification and the applicable award. If you are unsure, use the Fair Work Ombudsman's online tools or consult Which minimum wage applies for guidance.

Summary

• The legal floor for a marketing salary is the national minimum wage: $26.44/h or $1,004.90/week.
• Most marketing roles are covered by an award with higher minimums.
• Super is paid on top at 12%.
• Casual loading and junior rates can reduce or increase the hourly rate.
• For precise market rates, consult industry surveys or job advertisements; this site does not provide them.

For more detailed rate tables, see Rate tables.

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