Western Australia continues to have the highest annual wages of all states at just over $63,000, around $3,500 higher than New South Wales, new Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows.
Western Australia continues to have the highest annual wages of all states at just over $63,000, around $3,500 higher than New South Wales, new Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows.
When taking into account wage movements in the three months to November, Western Australia recorded an average annual wage of $63,008 (up 7.3 per cent over the year), NSW $59,467 (up 4.5 per cent), Victoria $56,170 (up 4.0 per cent), South Australia $54,413 (up 5.0 per cent), Queensland $54,392 (up 5.2 per cent), and Tasmania $52,608 (up 4.7 per cent).
The ACT had average annual wages of $68,130 (up 4.7 per cent) while the Northern Territory posted $55,411 (up 2.2 per cent).
CommSec Equities economist Savanth Sebastian said the mining boom had clearly been beneficial for Western Australian workers as the wage gap between the states was the largest ever since records were first maintained 23 years ago.
"The gap in wages between Western Australia and other states continues to grow. The commodity super cycle has no intention of stopping any time soon with china's insatiable demand for commodities likely to continue," he said.
"New contract negotiations for Iron Ore and Coal prices are expected over the next couple of months, with projections for significant increases in contract prices. The increases will eventually filter through to higher profits and higher wages."
Nationally, average weekly ordinary-time earnings of full-time employees rose by just 0.6 per cent in the December quarter and by 3.8 per cent over the year, the smallest quarterly increase in 18 months.
The average weekly wage now stands at $1,110.20 a week or $57,730 a year.
Australian Capital Territory employees had the highest average weekly time earnings of $1,310.20 in the November quarter followed by Western Australia, on $1,211.70.
Tasmanians had the slimmest pickings, of $1,011.70.
Pre-tax annual wage growth eased from 4.9 per cent to 4.7 per cent.
Female earnings rose by 5.3 per cent over the past year, outpacing male earnings which lifted by 4.4 per cent.
The highest average wage can be found in the mining sector, at $95,716 per year followed by finance and insurance $71,817, and electricity, gas & water $69,082.
The lowest average wage is obtained by workers in the accommodation, cafes & restaurants sector ($42,978), followed by retail trade ($44,767) and manufacturing, $53,638.
Fastest earnings growth over the past year was by construction workers (up 11.6 per cent) while weakest earnings growth was in the transport and storage sector (up 0.2 per cent).
