Steph Curry salary vs Australian minimum wage: how the NBA star's pay compares to our pay floors
Steph Curry's annual NBA salary is reported in the tens of millions of US dollars, far exceeding any Australian minimum wage floor.
Steph Curry salary: a benchmark for astronomical earnings
When people search for "steph curry salary", they are usually looking at the NBA superstar's massive contract with the Golden State Warriors. While that figure is set in US dollars and negotiated under American labour laws, it provides a striking contrast to Australia's minimum wage system. In this guide, we break down how Steph Curry's reported earnings compare with the legal pay floors that apply to Australian workers.
The national minimum wage floor
From 1 July 2026, the Fair Work Commission set the national minimum wage at $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. This is the absolute minimum for adult employees who are not covered by an award or enterprise agreement. For casual workers, a 25% loading brings the rate to $33.05 per hour. Employers must also pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings.
Steph Curry's annual salary from the NBA is reported to be over US$50 million. Even after currency conversion and taxes, that is thousands of times the Australian national minimum wage. The comparison highlights how different labour markets and industries can produce vastly different pay scales.
Award rates and the backstop
Most Australian employees are covered by a modern award. From 1 July 2026, minimum award wages increased by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification in any award cannot fall below the national minimum of $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. Some awards have introductory rates for the first six months, which must be at least $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.
Steph Curry's salary is not set by any Australian award. However, if he were employed in Australia under a relevant award (for example, the Live Performance Award or a professional sport award), his minimum pay would be determined by that award's classification. In practice, elite athletes negotiate contracts far above award minima.
How the ABS measures average earnings
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported in May 2026 that full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, while all employees (including part‑time and casual) averaged $1,579.20 per week. These figures include salary‑sacrificed amounts but not super. Even the average full‑time earner is a long way from Steph Curry's weekly take‑home, which would be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Junior and special rates
For award‑free employees under 21, the national minimum wage is reduced by age percentages. For example, a 17‑year‑old gets $15.29 per hour ($19.11 casual). Apprentices and trainees have their own special rates under the Miscellaneous Award. None of these come close to an NBA star's earnings.
What this means for you
If you are an Australian employee, your legal minimum is set by your award or agreement. Use the Which minimum wage applies page to find your correct pay floor. For a full list of rates by age and employment type, see our Rate tables.
Steph Curry's salary is a useful reminder that some occupations command extraordinary compensation. But for the vast majority of Australian workers, the relevant benchmark is the award or national minimum wage, not a US sports contract.
For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.
Questions people ask next
How does Steph Curry's salary compare to Australia's national minimum wage?
Steph Curry's NBA salary is reported to be over US$50 million per year, which is many times higher than Australia's national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). Even after converting to Australian dollars and accounting for superannuation, his earnings are in a completely different league.
Could Steph Curry be paid under an Australian award if he worked here?
If Steph Curry were employed in Australia under a relevant award (such as the Live Performance Award or a professional sports award), his minimum pay would be set by that award. However, his actual salary would be negotiated far above the award minimum, just as it is in the NBA. The award only sets a floor, not a ceiling.
Does the national minimum wage apply to everyone in Australia?
No. The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies only to employees not covered by an award or enterprise agreement. Most workers are covered by a modern award, which may have higher rates. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and employees with disability may be paid less. Always check your award or agreement first.
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