In 1940 Australia, the average yearly wage for male factory workers was around £376, while female factory workers earned about £146, according to data for Victoria, with figures varying slightly by state and industry but giving a good indication of earnings during that era before significant wartime changes.
£376 in 1940 (= $32,400)
Wages by race, 1940-1949
White men earned $2,678. Non-white men earned $1,715. White women earned $1,710. Non-white women earned $928.
The federal minimum wage was introduced in 1938 at the rate of 25¢ per hour (equivalent to $5.19 in 2022). By 1950 the minimum wage had risen to 75¢ per hour. The purchasing power of the federal minimum wage has fluctuated; it was highest in February 1968, when it was $1.60 per hour.
The average income was $1,368, and the average unemployment rate in the 1930s was 18.26 percent, up from the average of 5.2 percent in the 1920s.
Yes, $100k is generally considered a strong salary in Australia, placing you above the average (which hovers around $90k-$108k for full-time, but median is lower) and allowing for a comfortable life, though its impact depends heavily on location (major city vs. regional) and personal expenses like housing and dependents, as high living costs in cities like Sydney can stretch this income further than in regional areas.
Luxembourg. Luxembourg offers the highest minimum wage of any country worldwide at US$3,670 (€3,165) per month for skilled talent over the age of 18. Unskilled talent and talent under the age of 18 receive a lower monthly minimum wage: Unskilled workers 18 years of age and older: US$3,051 (€2,638)
For instance, consider the year 1960, when the federal minimum wage was $1 per hour. After accounting for inflation, this would be worth around $10.28 today!
The Great Depression gave Washington a pretext to enact sweeping economic restrictions. So, by 1938, Congress had made it illegal for employees to charge less than 25 cents per hour for their labor services. Today's inflation-adjusted minimum wage is much higher than it was under FDR.
All Australian workers are entitled to a minimum wage. This is the least you can be paid for doing a certain job. It's illegal for an employer to pay you less than the minimum wage. As of 1 July 2025, the national minimum wage is $24.95 per hour or $948 a week (if you work 38 hours).
The daily pay of a Private in the British army at the time of the Second World War was two shillings. Soldiers spent their pay on food and drink, toiletries, clothing, books, cigarettes and entertainment, such as trips to the cinema.
Back in the 1950s, the median Australian house cost around $7150, or just over double the average income. In the 1960s, it still came in at twice the income, at a higher $12,700.
According to ABS data, just 2.61 million Aussies – or about 10 per cent of the population – earn $100,000 or more a year. Many people will never reach a six-figure income in their working lives.
A $75k salary in Australia is decent, above the median income for many age groups and allowing for comfortable living in regional areas, but it can be tight in expensive cities like Sydney or Melbourne, especially for families, with many feeling $100k is needed for stability, though it's a strong starting point for younger professionals. After tax, $75k becomes roughly $58.6k ($4,888/month), meaning lifestyle, location, and financial goals (like saving for a house) heavily influence whether it's considered "good".
By 1990, the average had more than doubled to $184,600.
The middle class falls in-between. In 2022 the median income in Australia was $65,000 a year according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Anyone making less than this amount would be considered working class.
Unemployment Rate in Australia remained unchanged at 4.30 percent in November. Unemployment Rate in Australia averaged 6.53 percent from 1978 until 2025, reaching an all time high of 11.20 percent in December of 1992 and a record low of 3.40 percent in October of 2022.
The U.S. federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour as of 2025.
Switzerland tops the list of countries with the highest monthly salaries in 2025, offering an impressive average of USD 8,247. Luxembourg follows in second place with USD 6,764, driven by its strong financial sector and high standard of living.
Minimum Wages in China remained unchanged at 2740 CNY/Month in 2026 from 2740 CNY/Month in 2025. Minimum Wages in China averaged 1952.27 CNY/Month from 2006 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 2740.00 CNY/Month in 2025 and a record low of 690.00 CNY/Month in 2006.
High-paying jobs in Australia without a degree often involve skilled trades (electrician, plumber), technology (ethical hacker, ICT Manager), management (Construction Manager, HR Manager, Sales Manager), and specialized roles (Air Traffic Controller, Pilot, Drillers/Miners), relying on certificates, apprenticeships, or on-the-job training for high earning potential.
The average Australian full-time worker is now earning more than $2000 a week for the first time in history. New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show the average ordinary full-time weekly earnings for adults hit $2011.40 before tax in May.
A single adult earning less than $80,000 per year cannot afford to live comfortably in a single U.S. state, a new report found. The report, released by SmartAsset on June 4, also revealed that families of four must earn more than $200,000 to live comfortably in nearly every state.