Trades Assistant Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Trades Assistants in Sydney earn a median salary of $70,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $60,000 and $88,149. That sits 26% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 27 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Sydney in the last 30 days.

— Moderate demand 33th percentile by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +1 listings vs last month
💰 Trades Assistant · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$60,000 – $88,149
Median: $70,000
May $79k
Jun $70k
↓ Trending down

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

Mid level $60,000 – $88,149
Overall $60k–$88k Mid $60k–$88k $58k $64k $71k $77k $84k $90k
⚠ Low confidence 27 listings (+1 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%  $60,000 Median  $70,000 $88,149  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Sydney trades assistants median $70k, and the standout is a $9.5k drop in the median over the month, from $79.5k to $70k, the sharpest pay fall in this batch. That $70k now sits 26.3% below the city's all-roles median, and Sydney has become the low payer of the group, Brisbane ($79k) and Perth ($77.1k) both pay more. Based on 27 listings, treat as directional, but the downward move is clear. The range ($60k to $88.1k) reflects a support-trade role priced below the licensed tradespeople it assists.

Take Home Pay (based on median $70,000)

Weekly (net)
~$1,065
Monthly (net)
~$4,615
Annual (net)
~$55,383
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $78,050

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?
The band starts around $60k. What lifts a trades assistant toward the $88.1k top is tickets and site type: a white card plus specialised competencies (rigging, dogging, EWP, confined-space), work on resources or major infrastructure sites, and taking on the harder end of the support work. These tickets are also the bridge into an apprenticeship or a licensed trade.
Is $70,000 a good salary in Sydney?
No. At $70k the median runs 26.3% below Sydney's $95k all-roles figure and nets about $55.4k after tax, tight for the city, and the median dropped nearly $10k this month while Brisbane and Perth pay more. This is a support-trade wage with a low ceiling, and Sydney has become the weakest market for it. The clear upside is using the role to gain tickets and move into an apprenticeship or a licensed trade.
How much does a Senior Trades Assistant make in Sydney?
There is no senior trades-assistant band, pay caps around $88.1k for ticketed assistants on complex sites. Progression is into a licensed trade: using the role to gain tickets and an apprenticeship, then qualifying as an electrician, carpenter or fitter where pay steps up sharply. Adding specialised competencies (rigging, EWP, confined-space) is what lifts pay in the meantime and opens the trade pathway.

Other roles in Sydney

Trades Assistant salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Sydney
Sydney (this page) $70,000 —
Brisbane $79,040 +13%
Perth $77,064 +10%
Melbourne $66,876 -4%

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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.