Manufacturing Award pay rates from 1 July 2026 for general manufacturing: every wage group from C14 to C2(b), casual, weekend and public holiday rates, apprentice rates and take-home pay in 2026–27.
New starters (C14) earn at least $25.74 an hour. A trade-qualified fitter, welder or boilermaker (C10) earns at least $29.45, about $58,193 a year or $1,891 a fortnight after tax. Open in the pay calculator.
Manufacturing Award pay rates by wage group
| Wage group | Hourly | Casual hourly | Weekly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C14: Engineering/manufacturing employee level I | $25.74 | $32.18 | $978.10 | $50,861 | $1,704 |
| C13: Engineering/manufacturing employee level II | $26.44 | $33.05 | $1,004.90 | $52,255 | $1,740 |
| C12: Engineering/manufacturing employee level III | $27.08 | $33.85 | $1,029.10 | $53,513 | $1,772 |
| C11: Engineering/manufacturing employee level IV; laboratory tester | $27.97 | $34.96 | $1,062.90 | $55,271 | $1,817 |
| C10: Engineering/manufacturing tradesperson level I; systems employee level V | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193 | $1,891 |
| C9: Tradesperson level II; engineering/laboratory technician level I | $30.38 | $37.98 | $1,154.30 | $60,024 | $1,938 |
| C8: Tradesperson special class level I; technician level II | $31.30 | $39.13 | $1,189.40 | $61,849 | $1,985 |
| C7: Tradesperson special class level II; technician level III | $32.13 | $40.16 | $1,221.10 | $63,497 | $2,027 |
| C6: Advanced engineering tradesperson level I; technician level IV | $33.77 | $42.21 | $1,283.10 | $66,721 | $2,110 |
| C5: Advanced engineering tradesperson level II; technician level V | $34.46 | $43.08 | $1,309.50 | $68,094 | $2,146 |
| C4: Engineering associate / laboratory technical officer level I | $35.38 | $44.23 | $1,344.50 | $69,914 | $2,193 |
| C3: Engineering associate / laboratory technical officer level II | $37.24 | $46.55 | $1,415.00 | $73,580 | $2,289 |
| C2(a): Principal engineering supervisor/trainer/coordinator; leading technical officer | $38.16 | $47.70 | $1,450.20 | $75,410 | $2,337 |
| C2(b): Principal technical officer | $39.83 | $49.79 | $1,513.70 | $78,712 | $2,423 |
General manufacturing (not vehicle manufacturing), adult rates. Full-time weekly rate for 38 hours; take-home pay is after income tax and the Medicare levy for a full year in 2026–27.
Weekend and public holiday rates
| Wage group | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday | Casual Saturday | Casual Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C14 | $38.61 | $51.48 | $64.35 | $48.27 | $64.36 |
| C13 | $39.66 | $52.88 | $66.10 | $49.58 | $66.10 |
| C12 | $40.62 | $54.16 | $67.70 | $50.78 | $67.70 |
| C11 | $41.96 | $55.94 | $69.93 | $52.44 | $69.92 |
| C10 | $44.18 | $58.90 | $73.63 | $55.22 | $73.62 |
| C9 | $45.57 | $60.76 | $75.95 | $56.97 | $75.96 |
| C8 | $46.95 | $62.60 | $78.25 | $58.70 | $78.26 |
| C7 | $48.20 | $64.26 | $80.33 | $60.24 | $80.32 |
| C6 | $50.66 | $67.54 | $84.43 | $63.32 | $84.42 |
| C5 | $51.69 | $68.92 | $86.15 | $64.62 | $86.16 |
| C4 | $53.07 | $70.76 | $88.45 | $66.35 | $88.46 |
| C3 | $55.86 | $74.48 | $93.10 | $69.83 | $93.10 |
| C2(a) | $57.24 | $76.32 | $95.40 | $71.55 | $95.40 |
| C2(b) | $59.75 | $79.66 | $99.58 | $74.69 | $99.58 |
Day workers working ordinary hours on a weekend by agreement. Shiftworkers have different rates; see the pay guide.
Apprentice rates
| Stage | Didn't finish Year 12 | Finished Year 12 | Adult apprentice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | $14.73 | $16.20 | $23.56 |
| Stage 2 | $17.67 | $19.14 | $25.74 |
| Stage 3 | $22.09 | $22.09 | $26.44 |
| Stage 4 | $25.92 | $27.08 | $27.08 |
Hourly rates for apprentices who started on or after 1 January 2014. See apprentice wages for other trades.
How it works
- The Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 covers a wide range of manufacturing, engineering and metal trades work.
- Wage groups go from C14 (induction) to C2(b) (principal technical officer); C10 is the trade-qualified level and the reference rate for the others.
- Casuals get a 25% loading instead of paid leave. Super is paid on top. Many manufacturers have enterprise agreements that pay more.
Common questions
What is the Manufacturing Award pay rate?
From 1 July 2026, the lowest rate (C14, during induction) is $25.74 an hour and C13 $26.44. A trade-qualified tradesperson (C10) gets $29.45 an hour, $1,119.10 a week. Casuals get $32.18 to $49.79.
What level is a fitter, welder or boilermaker?
Someone holding a trade certificate as an engineering tradesperson (mechanical, fabrication or electrical/electronic) starts at C10: at least $29.45 an hour, about $58,193 a year. Higher levels (C9 and up) are for tradespeople and technicians with more skills and training, as defined in Schedule A of the award.
What is C14 and C13?
C14 is a new employee doing up to 38 hours of induction training. C13 is an employee who has completed up to 3 months' employment at Level I. C12 needs a Certificate I or II in Engineering, or equivalent.
What are the Manufacturing Award weekend rates?
Day workers who agree to work ordinary hours on weekends get time and a half on Saturdays and double time on Sundays: $44.18 and $58.90 at C10. Public holidays are double time and a half.
How much does a manufacturing apprentice get paid?
$14.73 to $23.56 an hour in stage 1 depending on Year 12 and age, rising to $27.08 in stage 4 with Year 12.
When do the rates go up?
Each year from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. Next: 1 July 2027 (Annual Wage Review).
See also electrician salary, warehouse worker pay and the overtime calculator.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide and award text, Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 [MA000010], rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Take-home pay: ATO tax rates. Checked 2026-10-22. General information only.