Trades and Industrial Salary Growth in Australia
What the Latest SEEK Data Shows If you work in trades or industry and you’re wondering whether pay is still moving in the right direction, the short answer is yes. SEEK’s Advertised Salary Index shows national advertised salaries rose 4.2% in the year to August 2026, staying ahead of inflation. Here’s what the data means…
What the Latest SEEK Data Shows
If you work in trades or industry and you’re wondering whether pay is still moving in the right direction, the short answer is yes. SEEK’s Advertised Salary Index shows national advertised salaries rose 4.2% in the year to August 2026, staying ahead of inflation. Here’s what the data means if you’re weighing up your next move.
What is SEEK’s Advertised Salary Index?
The SEEK Advertised Salary Index is a monthly measure of the salaries employers advertise in their job ads on SEEK, reported on a seasonally adjusted basis. Because it’s built from live job ads, it’s a timely read on what employers are offering new hires, which makes it useful if you’re thinking about changing roles. One thing to keep in mind: it tracks advertised pay, not what every worker currently takes home.
How strong is salary growth right now?
National advertised salaries rose 4.2% in the year to August 2026. A year earlier the figure was 3.4%, so the rate of growth has lifted rather than eased. On a monthly basis, advertised pay was up 0.3% in August, easing slightly after a faster run through June and July. At 4.2%, advertised salary growth stayed ahead of headline inflation, which was 3.5% in July.
When the figures move, they’re telling you where the market is heading for people starting a new role, rather than what a current employer pays its existing staff.
What does this mean for the sectors we recruit in?
SEEK’s Advertised Salary Index covers the full market, including the manufacturing, logistics, trades, automotive and resources roles we recruit for at TRS. A national rate holding above inflation is a steady backdrop for candidates across these fields, rather than a sudden jump, which is usually a healthier sign for the longer term.
If you’re comparing offers, the national figure gives you a sense of how advertised pay has shifted over the year. It won’t tell you what a single employer will offer, but it’s a useful benchmark when you’re planning a move or negotiating a rate. You can see the kinds of roles we fill on our manufacturing recruitment, logistics and supply chain, trades and services, and automotive dealership pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much have advertised salaries grown in Australia in 2026?
National advertised salaries rose 4.2% in the year to August 2026, up from 3.4% a year earlier, so advertised pay growth has picked up rather than slowed.
Is advertised salary growth keeping up with inflation?
Yes. At 4.2% in the year to August 2026, advertised salary growth stayed ahead of headline inflation, which was 3.5% in July.
Does the index show what I’ll actually be paid?
No. The index tracks the salaries employers advertise in their job ads, not what workers currently take home. It’s a guide to where the market is heading for people starting a new role.
Looking at your next move?
At TRS Resourcing, we connect people with employers across Australia’s manufacturing, logistics, trades and automotive sectors. If the latest SEEK figures have you thinking about what you could be earning, it’s a good time to see what’s out there. Browse our current trades and services roles or get in touch with our team, and we’ll help you find the right fit.
