Trades Assistant Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated 01/06/2026

Trades Assistants in Sydney earn a median salary of $79,520 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $65,000 and $91,900. That sits 12% below Sydney's all-roles median of $90,726. Figures are based on 26 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Sydney in the last 30 days.

— Moderate demand 38th percentile by listing volume in Sydney

ADVERTISED RANGE

$65,000 – $91,900

Median: $79,520

Mid level

$65,000 – $91,900

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. Sample size is small — treat figures as indicative.

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Bottom 10% $65,000 Median $79,520 $91,900 Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Trades Assistants in Sydney earned $79,520 at the median in May, matching Brisbane's figure exactly, with 26 listings and no prior month comparison available. At 12.4% below Sydney's all-roles median, the role earns below the city average, consistent with its support trade classification. The 34% spread ($65,000-$91,900) is tighter than Perth's, reflecting Sydney's predominantly metro-based construction and infrastructure sector without the FIFO premium. The small sample warrants treating the figure as directional.

Take Home Pay (based on median $79,520)

Weekly (net)

~$1,185

Monthly (net)

~$5,135

Annual (net)

~$61,619

Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $88,664

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 Trades Assistant in Sydney?

Trades Assistants starting in Sydney earn around $65,000 at the p10. Sydney's construction and civil infrastructure sectors provide consistent demand for trades assistants on commercial and government project sites. Penalty rates and shift loadings in Sydney's unionised construction sector add materially to base pay on major project sites.

Is $79,520 a good salary in Sydney?

Marginally below market. At $79,520, a Sydney Trades Assistant earns 12.4% below the city's all-roles median. Sydney is Australia's most expensive city, and this salary is financially stretched for independent living in most suburbs. However, the role's overtime and penalty rate loading on major infrastructure projects can push effective weekly earnings significantly above the base rate.

How much does a Senior Trades Assistant make in Sydney?

Experienced Trades Assistants in Sydney reach $91,900 at the p90. This ceiling reflects long-term site-based assistants in specialised trade environments, particularly on major tunnelling, rail, or utilities infrastructure projects where continuous work and shift penalties accumulate. Entering a trade apprenticeship is the most direct path to breaking substantially above the trades assistant ceiling.

Other roles in Sydney

Trades Assistant salaries in other cities

City	Median salary	vs Sydney
Sydney (this page)	$79,520	—
Brisbane	$79,520	~same
Perth	$75,000	-6%

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