Site Engineer Salary: What You Take Home After Tax in 2026–27

Understanding Your Site Engineer Salary

If you're working as a site engineer in Australia, knowing your site engineer salary is only half the picture. What really matters is the amount that lands in your bank account after income tax and the Medicare levy. This guide walks you through the typical pay range, the award minimums, and how to estimate your take-home pay for the 2026–27 tax year.

What the Market Says

According to job ads on SEEK, the average advertised site engineer salary is around $99,661 per year. Pay varies by location – for example, Port Hedland, Karratha and the Pilbara show typical salaries of $118,750. Industries like Engineering also pay above the average. These figures are based on full-time roles and may or may not include superannuation.

Award Minimums for Site Engineers

Site engineers are often covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. Fair Work sets minimum weekly and hourly rates for each classification level. For instance, a Level 9 employee (the highest classification) earns at least $1,309.50 per week or $34.46 per hour. Lower levels start at $1,013.50 per week ($26.67 per hour). Your actual pay should be at least these minimums, plus any industry allowances (e.g., $67.15 per week for general building and construction).

Calculating Your Take-Home Pay

To estimate what you take home, start with your annual salary. Use the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

• Up to $18,200: nil
• $18,201 to $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 to $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 to $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

Then add the Medicare levy of 2% (full rate applies to most full-time salaries). The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) phases out above $45,000 and is zero at $99,661.

Example: $99,661 annual salary

• Income tax: $4,020 + 30% × ($99,661 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $16,398 = $20,418
• Medicare levy: 2% × $99,661 = $1,993
• Total deductions: $22,411
• Take-home pay: $77,249 per year
• Fortnightly: $77,249 ÷ 26 = $2,971

This is a resident estimate only. It excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll rounding. For a personalised calculation, use the Clearance tool.

How Super Affects Your Pay

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. If your salary is quoted as 'plus super', your employer pays super on top – it does not reduce your take-home. If your salary is 'including super', the super component is deducted before you receive the rest. Always check your contract. Learn more about Super.

Comparing Your Salary to Benchmarks

• National minimum wage: $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week ($52,255 annualised)
• All employees average total earnings: $1,579 per week ($82,118 annualised, includes part-time)
• Full-time adult ordinary time earnings: $2,084 per week ($108,352 annualised)

Your site engineer salary of around $99,661 sits above the all-employees average but slightly below full-time ordinary time earnings. See more Benchmarks.

Key Takeaways

• The average advertised site engineer salary is about $99,661, but award minimums apply.
• After tax and Medicare, a $99,661 salary gives you roughly $77,249 take-home per year.
• Super is additional unless stated otherwise.
• Use the Tax and Medicare guide for more details on offsets and thresholds.