What is the average medical scientist salary in Australia?

Annual gross pay is estimated as hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For a full-time medical scientist working 38 hours per week, multiply the hourly rate by 38 and then by 52. For example, $56 per hour gives $56 × 38 × 52 = $110,656 per year. Fortnightly pay is weekly pay × 2. This calculation assumes no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances.

What is the casual loading for medical scientists?

Under the Professional Employees Award 2020, casual medical scientists receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. For example, a Level 1 graduate (3-year degree) has a minimum hourly rate of $33.71, so casual rate is $33.71 × 1.25 = $42.14 per hour. The loading is paid instead of entitlements like annual leave and sick leave. Super is paid on top of the casual rate.

Medical Scientist Salary: Award Rates, Median Pay and How to Convert Hourly to Annual

Medical laboratory scientists earn a median full-time hourly rate of $56, or $2,056 per week for a 38-hour week, according to the ABS, with award minimums from $33.71 for graduates to $59.05 for experienced professionals.

Understanding the Medical Scientist Salary

If you are a medical scientist or considering the profession, knowing how your pay is structured is essential. The medical scientist salary varies by experience, location, and whether you are permanent or casual. This guide uses the latest data from the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), and the Australian Taxation Office to help you convert an hourly rate into annual, fortnightly, and super figures.

Converting an Hourly Rate to Annual Pay

The standard formula for annual gross pay is:

Annual = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a full-time medical scientist, the standard ordinary hours are 38 per week under the Professional Employees Award 2020. If you have an hourly rate, multiply it by 38 and then by 52 to get the yearly amount. For example, the median hourly rate of $56 gives $56 × 38 × 52 = $110,656 per year. Your fortnightly pay is simply weekly pay × 2: ($56 × 38) × 2 = $4,256 per fortnight.

This calculation assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. It is a starting point for comparing offers.

Award Minimum Rates for Medical Scientists

The Professional Employees Award 2020 sets minimum wages for medical laboratory scientists. These rates are updated by the Fair Work Commission. As of 1 July 2026, the minimum annual and hourly rates are:

Level 1 Graduate (3-year degree): $66,825 per year, $33.71 per hour
Level 1 Graduate (4 or 5-year degree): $68,538 per year, $34.57 per hour
Level 2 Experienced Professional: $78,836 per year, $39.77 per hour
Level 3 Professional: $86,157 per year, $43.46 per hour
Level 4 Professional: $97,173 per year, $49.02 per hour
Level 5 Experienced Medical Research Employee: $117,064 per year, $59.05 per hour

These are the legal minimums. Many medical scientists earn above the award, as shown by the ABS data.

Median Earnings from the ABS

The ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, reports that full-time non-managerial medical laboratory scientists earn a median weekly pay of $2,056 before tax. That works out to $56 per hour for a 38-hour week. This is higher than the award minimums and reflects the typical pay for experienced scientists. For comparison, the median for all occupations is $1,852 per week or $47 per hour.

Casual Loading

If you work as a casual medical scientist, you are entitled to a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate under the award. For example, a Level 1 graduate (3-year degree) casual rate is $33.71 × 1.25 = $42.14 per hour. This loading compensates for not receiving paid leave or other entitlements. Super is paid on top of the casual rate.

Superannuation

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on your ordinary earnings. The rate is 12% from 1 July 2026. Super is paid on top of your base pay – it is not deducted from it. For a full-time medical scientist earning $56 per hour, the super contribution is $56 × 0.12 = $6.72 per hour, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. The annual super on the median salary would be $110,656 × 0.12 = $13,278.72, but if the total earnings exceed the cap, super stops at $270,830.

Tax Estimate

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates with the full tax-free threshold:

Nil up to $18,200; 15% on the next $26,800; 30% on $45,000 to $135,000; 37% on $135,001 to $190,000; 45% above that. Medicare levy 2% generally. For a single person, the Medicare levy reduction thresholds for 2025–26 are used because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed. This is an estimate.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

To quickly convert your own rate, use the timesheet on this site. Enter your base hourly rate and check the casual loading box if applicable. The calculator shows weekly, fortnightly, annual, super, and tax estimates. For more details on pay guides, see hourly conversion.

Summary

The medical scientist salary ranges from award minimums of $33.71 per hour for graduates to a median of $56 per hour for experienced professionals. The ABS data shows a strong median of $56 per hour, reflecting the profession's value. Always check your award classification and any enterprise agreement. Use the formula hourly × 38 × 52 for annual pay, and remember super is paid on top.