Apprentice wage guides get all the attention, but the question a lot of tradies actually want answered is: what do you earn once you’re qualified? The honest answer is “it depends a lot on trade, location and experience” — but here’s what the real data shows.
The short version (TL;DR)
- The average qualified tradesperson in Australia earns somewhere in the $80,000–$100,000 range, with plenty of variation by trade and location.
- Electricians tend to sit toward the top — experienced sparkies commonly earn $95,000–$120,000+.
- Plumbers (including roof plumbers) commonly earn around $85,000–$100,000.
- Carpenters commonly average around $80,000–$95,000.
- Location matters more than a lot of tradies expect — figures reported around $137,500 in Brisbane and $130,000 in Sydney compare to around $83,300 in Perth for similar work.
- Experience, specialisation, and whether you’re employed vs. running your own ABN all shift these numbers significantly — treat these as a general guide, not a personal guarantee.
Why the range is so wide
“Tradesperson” covers everything from a first-year-qualified sparky doing basic residential work to a licensed contractor running commercial jobs with a team under them. Specialisation, whether you’re PAYG or subcontracting on your own ABN, and which state and city you’re working in all move the number substantially — which is exactly why broad averages need context, not just a single headline figure.
By trade, roughly
- Electricians: tend to sit at the higher end, with experienced electricians commonly reported earning $95,000–$120,000 or more, particularly with specialisation (industrial, data/comms, solar) or running their own business.
- Plumbers: commonly around $85,000–$100,000, with roof plumbing and specialised gasfitting work sometimes pushing higher.
- Carpenters: commonly average around $80,000–$95,000, with formwork, joinery specialisation, or supervisory/leading-hand roles trending upward from there.
These are general figures, not fixed rates — actual pay depends heavily on your specific award or enterprise agreement, employer, and experience level. If you want your exact legal minimum, the Fair Work Ombudsman’s P.A.C.T. tool remains the authoritative source, not any general salary guide.
Why location moves the number so much
Reported averages put Brisbane and Sydney tradespeople noticeably ahead of Perth for comparable work — a reminder that “the average tradie wage” hides real regional variation driven by local demand, cost of living, and the state of the local construction market. If you’re weighing up relocating for work, this is worth factoring in alongside cost of living differences, not just the headline salary number.
What actually moves your pay upward over time
- Specialisation — niche skills (certain licences, specific systems, particular commercial sectors) consistently command a premium over general residential work.
- Running your own ABN vs. being employed — self-employed tradies can earn more per job, but carry the cash flow risk and lost benefits (no sick leave, no employer super) that come with it. See our guides on super for self-employed tradies and managing cash flow as a subbie if you’re considering the switch.
- Supervisory or leading-hand roles — moving from “on the tools” to overseeing a crew or job typically comes with a pay step up, at the cost of less time actually doing trade work.
- Location — being open to where the work and demand actually is can be worth more than years of extra experience in a saturated local market.
Frequently asked questions
Are these figures before or after tax?
General salary guides typically report gross (before-tax) figures — always confirm the basis when comparing sources, since different reports aren’t always consistent about this.
Why does location make such a big difference?
Local demand, cost of living, and the state of the regional construction market all drive real pay differences — Brisbane and Sydney tradespeople are commonly reported earning noticeably more than the same role in Perth.
Is it better to be employed or run my own ABN for pay?
Self-employed tradies often earn more per job, but lose employee protections like sick leave and employer-paid super, and take on cash flow risk — it’s a genuine trade-off, not a straightforward upgrade.
Where do I find my exact legal minimum wage for my trade and award?
The Fair Work Ombudsman’s P.A.C.T. (Pay and Conditions Tool) is the official source for exact minimum rates — general salary guides are useful for context, not for confirming your legal entitlement.
This guide is general information only, not financial or career advice. Wage figures are drawn from published salary-reporting sources and industry data current as of 2026 and represent general averages, not guarantees — actual pay depends on your specific award, employer, experience and location.
Sources:
SEEK — Tradesperson Salary in Australia
Major Training — Top 5 Highest Paying Trades in Australia
upcover — Average Tradie Salaries in Australia
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