Biomedical Scientist Salary: Hourly to Annual Guide for 2026-27
A Level 1 biomedical scientist (3-year degree) earns $33.71 per hour under the Professional Employees Award, equating to $66,825 annually based on a 38-hour week.
Understanding the Biomedical Scientist Salary
If you are researching a biomedical scientist salary in Australia, the starting point is the Professional Employees Award 2020. This award covers graduate and experienced professionals in scientific roles, including biomedical scientists. The minimum pay rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and are updated each financial year.
Award Classifications and Hourly Rates
Under the Professional Employees Award, a biomedical scientist is typically classified at Level 1 (graduate professional) or Level 2 (experienced professional). The award provides annual wages and corresponding hourly rates based on a 38-hour week. For a 3-year degree graduate, the minimum hourly rate is $33.71, giving an annual salary of $66,825. A 4 or 5-year degree graduate starts at $34.57 per hour ($68,538 annually). An experienced professional at Level 2 earns $39.77 per hour ($78,836 annually). These rates are the minimum; actual salaries may be higher depending on the employer or enterprise agreement.
How to Convert Hourly to Annual Pay
The standard formula for converting an hourly rate to an annual salary is:
Hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks
For a full-time employee, the ordinary hours are 38 per week under the award. So a biomedical scientist earning $33.71 per hour would calculate:
$33.71 × 38 × 52 = $66,825.76 (rounded to $66,825)
This is the gross annual pay before tax and other deductions. The same formula works for any hourly rate. If you are offered a salary, you can reverse the calculation to find the implied hourly rate: divide the annual salary by 52, then by 38.
The Fortnight View
Many employees are paid fortnightly. To find your gross fortnightly pay, multiply your weekly pay by 2. Weekly pay is hourly rate × 38 hours. For the Level 1 biomedical scientist:
Weekly: $33.71 × 38 = $1,280.98 Fortnightly: $1,280.98 × 2 = $2,561.96
This helps you budget between pay cycles. The hourly conversion tool on this site can do the maths for any rate.
National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates
It is important to distinguish the National Minimum Wage from award rates. From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour for employees 21 and over, or $33.05 for casuals (including 25% loading). However, award-covered employees must be paid at least the rate in their award. For biomedical scientists, the award rate is significantly higher than the minimum wage. The minimum wage page has more details on the national floor.
Casual Loading
If you work as a casual biomedical scientist, you receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. This is specified in clause 11.1 of the Professional Employees Award. For a Level 1 graduate, the casual rate is $33.71 × 1.25 = $42.14 per hour. The loading compensates for not receiving paid leave entitlements. When using our the timesheet tool, you can check the “casual loading” box to add 25% to the base rate you enter. Do not enter a rate that already includes loading.
Superannuation Paid on Top
Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top of your ordinary earnings. From 2026-27, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a biomedical scientist earning $66,825, the employer adds $8,019 in super (12% of $66,825). This is not deducted from your salary; it is an additional benefit. The super and packaging page explains how salary packaging can affect your take-home pay.
Tax Considerations
Your gross annual salary is subject to income tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026-27, the resident tax rates are:
- 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 a Medicare levy of 2% (with possible reductions for low-income earners). For a $66,825 salary, the tax would be approximately $11,092 plus Medicare of $1,336, leaving a take-home of about $54,397 per year. Use the take-home pay calculator for a more precise estimate.
Summary
The biomedical scientist salary under the Professional Employees Award provides a clear benchmark. By understanding the hourly rate, annual conversion, fortnightly pay, casual loading, and superannuation, you can evaluate job offers and plan your finances. Always check the latest award or enterprise agreement, as rates may change. For a quick calculation, refer to our job pay guide or the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.