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🇺🇸 United States vs 🇦🇺 Australia
US earners keep ~$9,000 more than Australia at $150k
2026 tax data · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Source: methodology
TL;DR — Key Takeaways
- →At $150,000 salary: US (avg state) take-home ≈ $111,000 vs. Australia ≈ $102,000.
- →Australia's 37% bracket applies to AUD 120k–$180k; the top 45% rate kicks in above AUD 180k.
- →Medicare Levy: 2% of taxable income for most earners.
- →Employer superannuation (11.5%) is on top of salary — a benefit, but invisible to take-home calculation.
- →Australia does not tax capital gains at a separate rate — gains are added to income (50% discount if held >12 months).
Net Pay at $150,000 Salary (2026)
🇺🇸
United States
$111,000
estimated net take-home
Top rate: 37%
🇦🇺
Australia
$102,000
estimated net take-home
Top rate: 45%
Annual delta at $150,000
🇺🇸 United States saves $9,000/year
Over 10 years at 7% compounding: $133,020 more
Key Tax Differences
| Factor | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇦🇺 Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Top income tax rate | 37% | 45% |
| Effective rate at $100k | 18% | 28% |
| Taxation basis | Worldwide | Worldwide |
| Special regimes | Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) | None |
🇺🇸 United States — Key Tax Facts
- →US citizens and Green Card holders owe US tax on worldwide income regardless of where they live.
- →Federal income tax: 10%–37% progressive brackets; standard deduction $16,150 for single filers (2026).
- →FICA (Social Security + Medicare): 7.65% employee share on wages up to $184,500 (SS cap).
- →State income tax: ranges from 0% (Florida, Texas, Nevada) to 13.3% (California).
- →Foreign Earned Income Exclusion: up to $132,900 excluded for qualifying expats (2026).
- →Self-employed pay 15.3% self-employment tax (both sides of FICA).
🇦🇺 Australia — Key Tax Facts
- →Income tax: 0% below AUD 18,200; 19%–45% progressive.
- →Medicare Levy: 2% of taxable income (standard; reductions apply for low earners).
- →Superannuation: employers must contribute 11.5% of earnings into the employee's super fund.
- →No income tax on first AUD 18,200 — significant for lower-income earners.
- →Worldwide taxation for tax residents; 2% Medicare Levy surcharge for those without private health insurance.
- →Capital gains discount: 50% reduction on gains if asset held >12 months.
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Estimates assume a single filer with no dependents and no treaty benefits. Not tax advice. See methodology.