Retail Assistant Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Retail Assistants in Melbourne earn a median salary of $55,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $50,000 and $65,000. That sits 40% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $91,520. Figures are based on 33 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

— Moderate demand 52th percentile by listing volume in Melbourne
💰 Retail Assistant · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$50,000 – $65,000
Median: $55,000
Mid level $50,000 – $65,000
Overall $50k–$65k Mid $50k–$65k $48k $52k $55k $59k $63k $66k
Moderate confidence 33 listings · 01/06/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from advertised employer bands on Seek.com.au. Figures represent what employers publicly advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

Where does your salary sit?
Enter your salary to see where you rank.
Bottom 10%  $50,000 Median  $55,000 $65,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

Retail Assistants in Melbourne earned $55,000 at the median in May, sitting 39.9% below the city's all-roles median. Prior month data is unavailable. With 33 listings providing reasonable data confidence, the 27% spread ($50,000-$65,000) shows consistent award-linked pricing across Melbourne's retail sector. At 39.9% below the city median, Retail Assistant has one of the largest city-median gaps in the dataset, reflecting Melbourne's elevated professional salary benchmark rather than retail pay being unusually low.

Take Home Pay (based on median $55,000)

Weekly (net)
~$879
Monthly (net)
~$3,811
Annual (net)
~$45,733
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $61,325

Take-home calculated using 2025-26 ATO tax rates, no HECS debt, full Australian residency. Total package adds 11.5% superannuation to base salary. Adjust for your situation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good starting salary for a junior Retail Assistant in Melbourne?
Retail Assistants in Melbourne start at around $50,000 at the p10. Most casual and part-time roles sit at the General Retail Industry Award rate. Full-time permanent positions in specialty or luxury retail typically start at $54,000-$58,000. Penalty rates and product commissions in some retail categories add materially to effective earnings.
Is $55,000 a good salary in Melbourne?
No. At $55,000, a Melbourne Retail Assistant earns 39.9% below the city's all-roles median in a high-cost city. This income makes independent living in Melbourne very difficult. The role provides employment accessibility and customer service skill development but is not a financially sustainable standalone income for independent adults in Melbourne's housing market.
How much does a Senior Retail Assistant make in Melbourne?
Experienced Retail Assistants in Melbourne reach $65,000 at the p90. This ceiling captures senior assistants in high-end or specialist retail environments, those with luxury brand certification or technical product knowledge, or senior staff in high-volume stores with informal team coordination responsibilities. Moving into an assistant manager role is the standard pay progression step.

Other roles in Melbourne

Retail Assistant salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $55,000 —
Brisbane $60,894 +11%
Sydney $55,000 ~same

Uncover hidden salary ranges on Seek

Paste any job URL to bypass the "competitive salary" text and see the exact employer budget instantly.

Check a Listing Install Extension

Data sourced from publicly listed job advertisements. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Seek or any third-party platforms. Salary ranges represent advertised figures and may differ from actual compensation. Updated monthly.