Significant jump in wages for teens and part time workers in their 20s and 30s over past decade

Young Australians’ wages have soared over the past 10 years. See how much they’re worth.

The after school job is paying more than ever before, with part-time youth wages doubling in the last decade, while young Australians have bucked the unemployment trend and found more jobs over the past year.

Younger Aussies are playing catch-up on wages with a 33 to 50 per cent increase in the median weekly earnings for full time workers and even bigger gains for part-time employees under the age of 35, according to new analysis of Australian Bureaus of Statistics data.

Youth wages have risen significantly over the last decade. Picture: Getty Images

Teenagers working part time outside school hours had an increase of 48 per cent to a median wage to $200 a week as of the end of 2024 compared to 10 years ago.

The biggest increase in earnings was recorded by Australians in their early 20s, who have jumped up 71 per cent to a median of $600, while 25 to 34-year-old part time weekly incomes rose 44 per cent to $780.

Accounting for inflation over that decade, workers are still between $25 and $150 better off a week.

Full time wages have also increased significantly, with 15 to 19-year-old workers now earning a median weekly wage of $899, up from $600 in 2014.

Youth employment increased by 3.6 per cent in the year to January. Picture: Vanessa Hunter

Australians aged 20 to 24 working full time earned $1,250 a week in 2024 compared to $875 a decade ago, while those in their late 20s up to 35-years-old have a median wage of $1,600 a week, up from $1,200 ten years ago.

Youth employment has also increased by 3.6 per cent in the year to January, with more than 2.24 million young people now in work.

Over the same time unemployment in Australia rose overall slightly to 4.1 per cent.

Despite the increases, youth unemployment remains significantly higher than the national average at 9 per cent as of January.

Employment and Workplace Minister Murray Watt said lifting wages for young Australians was vital to help them juggle paying their bills with finding a rewarding career path.

“Just in the last couple of years under the Albanese Government, we’ve seen strong wages growth for Australians under 35,” he said.

Minister Murray Watt says lifting youth wages helps young people pay bills while studying or training. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“That includes around a 20 per cent jump in full-time wages for 15 to 19-year-olds, and part-time wages for people in their early 20s.”

Mr Watt said the government’s changes to workplace laws were helping young Australians earn more.

“Things like helping casuals transition to permanent work if they want to, improving bargaining opportunities and stopping the rort of unpaid overtime and mental burnout through our right to disconnect,” he said.

“The Albanese Government has also been investing in more opportunities for young Australians’ career development, through Fee Free TAFE courses, apprenticeship incentives and steps towards a more personalised employment services system.”