Project manager salary in Australia after tax — 2026
Mining and resources projects in WA and QLD have paid some of Australia's highest PM salaries for two decades, largely because of FIFO (fly-in-fly-out) rosters. Here's the real take-home across sectors and levels.
Take-home pay by seniority — Australian project managers 2026
Deductions are income tax and the Medicare Levy (2%). Superannuation guarantee (12%) is paid separately by the employer in most roles.
| Level | Gross Salary | Monthly Net | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / Assistant PM | A$85,000 | A$5,584/mo | 21.2% |
| Project Manager (mid) | A$125,000 | A$7,851/mo | 24.6% |
| Senior PM | A$150,000 | A$9,180/mo | 26.6% |
| Program Director / Head of PMO | A$220,000 | A$12,539/mo | 31.6% |
Mining, resources, and major infrastructure PMs (WA, QLD) typically earn 20-35% above these figures for equivalent seniority. Source: Australian PM salary benchmarking surveys 2026.
The FIFO premium — why WA/QLD resources PMs earn so much more
Fly-in-fly-out project management for mining and resources projects in Western Australia and Queensland has paid a substantial premium for decades — a senior PM on an iron ore or LNG project can earn A$220,000-A$280,000+ where an equivalent capital-city corporate PM role might pay A$150,000-A$180,000.
- FIFO rosters (commonly 8 days on/6 off, or 2 weeks on/1 off) compensate for time away from home and remote-site living conditions
- Site allowances, accommodation, and meals are typically provided separately from salary, meaning the headline number understates total value
- The trade-off is real and personal: extended time away from family, and the work itself is often more physically demanding project delivery than office-based corporate PM roles
For PMs willing to work FIFO rosters, WA and QLD resources projects remain one of the highest-paying corners of the profession in Australia — but it's a lifestyle trade-off, not a free premium.
Salary distribution — Australian project managers
| Percentile | Gross | Monthly Net |
|---|---|---|
| P25 | ~A$85,000 | ~A$5,580/mo |
| P50 (Median) | ~A$125,000 | ~A$7,850/mo |
| P75 | ~A$150,000 | ~A$9,180/mo |
| P90 (incl. FIFO/resources) | ~A$220,000+ | ~A$12,540+/mo |
Frequently asked questions
The median Australian project manager earns around A$125,000 gross, giving roughly A$7,851/month take-home. A junior PM on A$85,000 takes home about A$5,584/month. A senior PM on A$150,000 takes home approximately A$9,180/month, and a Program Director on A$220,000 takes home around A$12,539/month.
FIFO (fly-in-fly-out) resources projects in WA and QLD pay a substantial premium — often 20-35% above equivalent capital-city corporate PM roles — to compensate for time away from home on rotating rosters. Site allowances, accommodation, and meals are typically provided separately on top of salary.
Salary surveys put the national average for a mid-level PM at roughly A$120,000-A$135,000 in 2026, giving about A$7,600-A$8,400/month after tax. WA and QLD resources-sector PMs commonly earn 20-35% more for equivalent seniority.
Yes, typically by A$8,000-A$15,000/year at mid-to-senior level, and it's close to a baseline expectation for government and larger corporate PM roles. The exam costs roughly A$650-A$900 (PMI member/non-member pricing) and generally pays back within the first few months of the associated salary uplift.