Dermatologist Salary: How to Calculate Your Annual Pay from an Hourly Rate
Under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, a Senior Specialist (Pay point 1) earns a minimum annual salary of $129,953, which equates to approximately $65.75 per hour for a 38-hour week.
Understanding Your Dermatologist Salary
If you are a dermatologist or considering this career, you may want to convert an hourly rate or a salary offer into an annual figure. The standard approach in Australia is to multiply the hourly rate by the number of hours worked per week and then by 52 weeks. For full-time employees under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, ordinary hours are 38 per week. This article explains how to calculate your dermatologist salary from an hourly rate, what award rates apply, and how tax and superannuation affect your take-home pay.
The Basic Formula: Hourly × Hours × 52
To estimate your annual gross pay, use this formula:
Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52
For a full-time dermatologist working 38 hours each week, the calculation is straightforward. For example, if your hourly rate is $65.75, your annual salary would be $65.75 × 38 × 52 = $129,953 (the minimum award rate for a Senior Specialist Pay point 1). If you work part-time, adjust the hours accordingly. The the timesheet on this site lets you enter your base hourly rate and see the annual, fortnightly, and weekly equivalents.
Award Rates for Dermatologists
Dermatologists are classified as medical practitioners under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database shows that a Senior Specialist at Pay point 1 has a minimum annual salary of $129,953. This is the standard rate used for allowances and overtime calculations. The award also defines a weekly rate ($2,499.10) and a daily rate ($499.82). For casual employees, a 25% loading applies on top of the ordinary hourly rate, so a casual dermatologist would earn about $82.19 per hour.
It is important to note that many dermatologists earn above the award minimum, especially those in private practice or with significant experience. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that the median full-time weekly earnings for all occupations is $2,083.70 (May 2026), but specialist medical practitioners typically earn more. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for dermatologists (based on 2021 Census data) shows a median age of 46 and that 65% work full-time, averaging 46 hours per week. However, the award minimum provides a reliable baseline for understanding your dermatologist salary.
Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting
Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your gross fortnightly pay, multiply your weekly rate by 2. For the award minimum, that is $2,499.10 × 2 = $4,998.20. This figure helps with budgeting and comparing job offers. The pay guides on this site include more details on award classifications and pay periods.
Tax on Your Dermatologist Salary
For the 2026–27 financial year, the Australian Taxation Office applies these 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 a 2% Medicare levy (based on 2025–26 thresholds for singles). For a dermatologist earning $129,953, the estimated tax plus Medicare is approximately $32,000–$33,000, leaving a take-home pay of around $97,000–$98,000. This is a rough estimate; your actual tax may differ due to deductions, the Medicare levy surcharge, or HELP repayments. Use the take-home pay page for a more detailed calculation.
Superannuation Paid on Top
Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% of your ordinary earnings (from 1 July 2026), up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. This is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it. For a $129,953 salary, the super contribution would be $15,594.36 per year. If you earn above the base, super stops at that limit. The super and packaging page explains how salary sacrifice can affect your super.
Casual Loading and Other Considerations
If you work as a casual dermatologist, you are entitled to a 25% loading on the ordinary hourly rate. This compensates for not receiving paid leave or other entitlements. Do not include the loading in the base rate you enter into a calculator; instead, use the checkbox provided on the timesheet to add it automatically. The award also specifies penalty rates for overtime, weekend, and public holiday work, which can significantly increase your earnings.
Summary
To convert a dermatologist salary from hourly to annual, multiply your hourly rate by 38 (full-time hours) and then by 52. The award minimum for a Senior Specialist is $129,953 per year, or about $65.75 per hour. Remember that tax and super are calculated separately, and your actual pay may vary based on experience, location, and additional allowances. For more reference data, see the reference tables and average pay pages.
Disclaimer: Annual pay here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax is the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.