Retail Assistant Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Retail Assistants in Melbourne earn a median salary of $56,646 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $50,000 and $65,416. That sits 40% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 20 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

◆ Specialist role Lower listing volume — 8th percentile in Melbourne ↓ -13 listings vs last month
💰 Retail Assistant · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$50,000 – $65,416
Median: $56,646
May $55k
Jun $56k
↑ Trending up

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

Mid level $50,000 – $65,416
Overall $50k–$65k Mid $50k–$65k $48k $52k $56k $59k $63k $67k
⚠ Low confidence 20 listings (-13 vs last month) · 05/07/2026

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. Sample size is small — treat figures as indicative.

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Bottom 10%  $50,000 Median  $56,646 $65,416  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

At $56,646 this is one of the lowest medians in the batch, 40% below Melbourne's all-roles median. Listings fell sharply from 33 to 20 (a demand score of just 8), even as the median edged up $1,646, a cooling, thin market. Brisbane pays a touch more at $60k. This is entry-level retail work priced near award rates. Based on a small sample of 20, treat as directional.

Take Home Pay (based on median $56,646)

Weekly (net)
~$900
Monthly (net)
~$3,899
Annual (net)
~$46,786
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $63,160

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?
A retail assistant in Melbourne starts near the $50k floor on award or slightly above. Reaching the $65k top comes from hours and role type: weekend and evening penalties lift earnings, and moving into a keyholder, visual-merchandising or specialist-product role (electronics, jewellery) pays above general floor work. There is no qualification gate; shift mix and product category do the work.
Is $56,646 a good salary in Melbourne?
No, but that is expected for entry-level retail rather than a red flag. At $56,646 the median is 40% below Melbourne's $95k all-roles median and nets around $47k after tax, tight in the city. This is a starting-rung role, and the shrinking number of listings signals a soft market, so the way to earn more is to step up into supervision.
How much does a Senior Retail Assistant make in Melbourne?
There is no senior tier here; the ceiling sits near $65k. The move up is into Assistant Store Manager or Store Manager work (Store Manager medians run $70k-plus), taking on rostering, stock and sales targets rather than floor duties. Keyholder responsibility is usually the first step past the band.

Other roles in Melbourne

Retail Assistant salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $56,646 —
Brisbane $60,000 +6%
Sydney $58,292 +3%

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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.