Last updated: July 2026
Every candidate I talk to asks the same thing within the first five minutes: "Is my salary competitive?"
Fair question. Building products sits in a quiet corner of the salary conversation. It's not tech, so the numbers rarely get published, and most people have no idea they're underpaid until they're already out the door. These are the ranges I'm seeing across live roles and placements in mid 2026.
What does a building products BDM earn in Australia?
In 2026, BDM base salaries run $90,000 at the low end, $110,000 around the average, and $130,000 at the high end, plus super, car or allowance, and commission. Car allowances typically land between $18,000 and $25,000 depending on the area covered. Commission structures remain wildly inconsistent across the market, but at-target commission for most BDMs sits around 20 to 25% of base.
Sydney still runs roughly $5,000 to $10,000 above Melbourne for the same seat, with Brisbane a similar step below. Strong performers with specification relationships into tier-1 architects and builders sit at the top of every range, and the premium for them has only widened since I first published this guide.
What does an account manager earn in building products?
Account managers holding an existing book are earning $95,000 to $130,000 base depending on portfolio weight, plus car or allowance. Senior account managers carrying major national accounts push total packages to $120,000 to $170,000.
The book sets the spread inside this role. An account manager defending $8 million of contracted revenue with two national builders is a different hire from one servicing forty small trade accounts, and the market prices them accordingly.
What does a specification manager earn?
Senior specification roles are landing between $110,000 and $150,000 base in 2026, plus car and incentives. The role still varies more than any other title in the industry. At some businesses it's a senior strategic seat, at others it's spec-admin support, and pay tracks which one it really is.
If you're hiring one, or applying for one, get clear on which version of the job it actually is before you argue about the number. I've written a full breakdown in Spec Manager vs BDM: The Hiring Guide.
What do sales managers and sales leaders earn?
State Sales Managers are earning $120,000 to $150,000 base plus car and STI. National Sales Managers run $160,000 to $200,000 base, with the top of the market for proven NSMs in the $180,000 to $210,000 range, usually with team-based incentives on top.
One structural quirk worth knowing: WA packages have been landing up to $25,000 apart from eastern states equivalents on base for the same candidate profile. If you're managing nationally, that gap is worth checking before it costs you a shortlist.
What's driving salary movement in 2026?
Three things. First, a two-speed project pipeline. Data centres and defence work are pulling non-residential activity up while offices and retail stay soft, and apartments are recovering off a 13-year low. Businesses exposed to the strong side are paying to secure spec-capable people. Businesses on the weak side are holding salaries flat and losing their best reps to the other side.
Second, specification talent is still genuinely scarce. If you can walk into a tier-1 architectural practice and hold a credible specification conversation, you are the constraint in someone's growth plan, and the market keeps repricing you upward.
Third, the 2027 non-compete changes are already shifting behaviour. Employers who leaned on restraints to hold salespeople are starting to compete on package and conditions instead. I've covered what that means in Non-Competes for Building Products Sales Reps.
Which number matters more, base salary or total package?
Total package, every time. A $105,000 base with a $25,000 car allowance and a realistically achievable $25,000 commission is worth materially more than a $120,000 base with a small allowance and a stretch plan that never pays.
Model realistic total comp before you accept anything, and pressure-test the commission plan hardest of all. You can do that properly with the Commission Calculator, and if you want to see how plan design changes what a role actually pays, read What Does Your Commission Structure Actually Pay?
Hiring in building products and want a benchmark on a specific role? Get in touch via the hiring managers page.