How is archaeologist salary calculated from hourly rate?

Multiply the hourly rate by hours per week (usually 38) and then by 52 weeks. For example, $30 per hour × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $59,280 per year. This gives a gross annual figure before tax and super. For a fortnightly amount, multiply the weekly pay by 2.

What is the minimum wage for archaeologists in Australia?

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week for 38 hours). However, many archaeologists are covered by awards such as the Professional Employees Award, which may set higher minimum rates. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides or the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database for award-specific rates.

How does casual loading affect archaeologist pay?

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. For the National Minimum Wage, that becomes $33.05 per hour. When converting to annual, use the loaded rate in the formula. Remember that super is paid on top of the base rate (or loaded rate for casuals) at 12%.

What is the archaeologist salary? Hourly to annual guide for 2026

For an archaeologist earning the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour, the annual salary for a 38-hour week is approximately $52,270 before tax and super.

Understanding archaeologist salary from hourly rates

If you are an archaeologist working in Australia, you may be paid by the hour or offered a salary. Converting between the two helps you compare job offers and understand your take-home pay. This guide uses the standard 38-hour week and a 52-week year, as assumed by the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Fair Work Commission.

The basic formula: hourly × hours × 52

To estimate an annual salary from an hourly rate, multiply the rate by the number of hours worked each week, then by 52 weeks. For a full-time archaeologist working 38 hours per week, the formula is:

Annual gross ≈ hourly rate × 38 × 52

For example, if your hourly rate is $30, the annual figure is $30 × 38 × 52 = $59,280. This is a gross amount before tax and superannuation. It assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances.

Fortnightly pay

Many employers pay fortnightly. To get a fortnightly amount, multiply your weekly pay by 2. Using the same $30 per hour example, weekly pay is $30 × 38 = $1,140, so fortnightly is $2,280.

National Minimum Wage and award rates for archaeologists

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making it $33.05 per hour. However, many archaeologists are covered by a modern award, such as the Professional Employees Award 2020, which sets higher minimum rates based on classification and experience. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database contains detailed classification rates, allowances, and penalty rates for each award. Award minimum wages increased by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, as noted in the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides.

Tax on your archaeologist salary

Once you have your gross annual figure, you can estimate tax using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

Nil on the first $18,200
15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
45% on income above $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds). For example, an archaeologist earning $70,000 gross would pay approximately $11,067 in tax plus $1,400 Medicare levy, leaving about $57,533 after tax. Use our take-home pay tool for a personalised estimate.

Superannuation on top

Employers must pay superannuation at 12% of ordinary earnings (from 1 July 2026) on top of your salary. The super guarantee has a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. So if your archaeologist salary is $70,000, your employer contributes an extra $8,400 into your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay—it is paid in addition. Learn more about super and packaging.

Casual loading for archaeologists

If you work as a casual archaeologist, your hourly rate includes a 25% loading to compensate for lack of paid leave. When converting to annual, use the loaded rate. For example, a casual archaeologist on the National Minimum Wage would use $33.05 per hour. The formula remains the same: $33.05 × 38 × 52 = $65,307 per year. Note that super is still paid on top of the casual rate. See our casual loading page for more.

Using the Fair Work Commission database

The Modern Awards Pay Database from the Fair Work Commission provides the most up-to-date minimum rates for each award classification. For archaeologists, the relevant award may include specific levels for professional employees. The database is updated after each Annual Wage Review and includes wage-related allowances, expense-related allowances, and penalty rates. You can download the data in Excel or request a CSV copy. Always check the award text for the exact conditions, as the database is a guide and the award prevails in case of inconsistency.

Putting it all together

Whether you are negotiating a salary or checking a job offer, converting your hourly rate to annual pay gives you a clear picture. For a full-time archaeologist on a 38-hour week, the steps are:

Confirm your hourly rate (base or casual loaded).
Multiply by 38 to get weekly pay.
Multiply by 52 to get annual gross.
Estimate tax using the ATO scales.
Add 12% super on top.

For a quick calculation, use our hourly conversion tool. Remember that the figures here are estimates. Your actual pay may vary due to overtime, allowances, or enterprise agreements.