Project Manager Salary in Canberra (2026)

Last updated 30/09/2026

Project Managers in Canberra earn a median salary of $175,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $117,755 and $279,608. That sits 46% above Canberra's all-roles median of $120,000. Figures are based on 37 jobs advertised in Canberra in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 0% of roles by listing volume in Canberra ↑ +10 listings vs last month

ADVERTISED RANGE

$117,755 – $279,608

Median: $175,000

Aug $178k

Sep $175k

↓ Trending down

Based on 2-month data, short-term movement only.

Mid level

$125,000 – $271,704

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 37 job listings for this role and city, 95.1% sourced from Seek.com.au and the rest from government job boards and employer career sites. Of those, 46.3% stated a salary directly. The remaining 53.7% carried a range estimated from the listing, so this median blends advertised and estimated pay. Figures represent what employers advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

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Bottom 10% $117,755 Median $175,000 $279,608 Top 10%

Understanding the Canberra Market

Canberra now pays project managers more than any other city in the country at $175,000, after Brisbane fell $35,000 to $164,000 and the rest of the capitals held at $160,000. The Canberra median itself eased $3,704 while listings rose from 27 to 37, with demand in the 100th percentile. The city's all-roles median of $120,000 is the highest in this report, which is what a federal government and defence economy produces, so the premium over the local market is smaller here than elsewhere. At 46% salary disclosure the figure is reasonably well supported.

Take Home Pay (based on median $175,000)

Weekly (net)

~$2,340

Monthly (net)

~$10,140

Annual (net)

~$121,683

Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $195,125

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 Project Manager in Canberra?

The $117,000 floor assumes delivery experience, and in Canberra it usually assumes a security clearance as well. Baseline, NV1 and NV2 clearances appear repeatedly in listings and are often the binding constraint rather than project experience. Federal government, defence and the consultancies serving them account for almost all of these roles.

Is $175,000 a good salary in Canberra?

Yes, though less dramatically than elsewhere. At $175,000 a project manager earns 45.8% above Canberra's all-roles median of $120,000, with take-home near $2,340 a week. In most capitals the same title pays close to double the local median, so the premium here is smaller because Canberra's baseline is so high. In absolute terms it is the best-paying project management market in the country.

How much does a Senior Project Manager make in Canberra?

The mid band runs $125,000 to $271,000 with a median of $175,000, identical to the overall figure, and there is no separate senior tier in this month's data. Clearance level is the clearest lever, since NV2 and above narrows the candidate pool sharply. Program and portfolio roles inside federal departments are what support the $279,000 ceiling.

Other roles in Canberra

Project Manager salaries in other cities

City	Median salary	vs Canberra
Canberra (this page)	$175,000	0%
Brisbane	$164,745	-6%
Adelaide	$160,000	-9%
Melbourne	$160,000	-9%
Perth	$160,000	-9%

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