What award covers sonographer salary in Australia?

Sonographers are typically covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database and the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides provide the minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates for each classification. From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages increased by 4.75% following the Annual Wage Review.

How do I calculate annual pay from an hourly sonographer rate?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work per week and then by 52. For a standard full‑time sonographer working 38 hours per week, the formula is: hourly rate × 38 × 52 = annual gross. For example, $45/hour × 38 × 52 = $88,920. If you work part‑time or casual, adjust the weekly hours accordingly. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate, so a casual sonographer at $45/hour would earn $56.25/hour before the loading is applied.

What tax and super should I expect on a sonographer salary?

For the 2026–27 financial year, the Australian Taxation Office resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% from $45,001 to $135,000, 37% from $135,001 to $190,000, and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. Superannuation guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Use the [take-home pay](/topics/take-home) tool to estimate your net income after tax and Medicare.

Sonographer Salary: Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay for 2026–27

For a sonographer earning $45 per hour under a 38‑hour week, the annual gross is approximately $88,920 before tax and super.

Understanding Sonographer Salary: From Hourly to Annual

Whether you are a qualified sonographer negotiating a new role or an employer setting pay rates, converting an hourly rate to an annual salary is a straightforward calculation. This guide uses the standard 38‑hour week and 52‑week year, and explains how award rates, casual loading, tax, and super fit into the picture.

The Basic Formula: Hourly × Hours per Week × 52

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours worked per week × 52. This assumes you work the same number of hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. For a full‑time sonographer on a 38‑hour week, the calculation is simple. For example, if your hourly rate is $50, your annual gross is $50 × 38 × 52 = $98,800.

If you are paid fortnightly, your gross fortnight pay is your weekly pay multiplied by 2. So a $50/hour sonographer on 38 hours per week earns $1,900 per week and $3,800 per fortnight before tax.

Award Rates and the National Minimum Wage

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. Most sonographers, however, are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which sets higher minimum rates. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database contains the calculated minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates for each classification. The 2026 data includes a 4.75% increase from the Annual Wage Review, as well as changes from the gender‑based undervaluation review that affected health professional employees from 1 October 2026.

To find the exact award rate for your classification, refer to the pay guides on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. These guides list minimum pay rates for full‑time, part‑time, and casual employees, along with monetary allowances and common penalty rates.

Casual Loading: 25% on Top

If you work as a casual sonographer, you are entitled to a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. This loading compensates for the lack of paid leave and other entitlements. When using our timesheet, you can check the “casual loading” box to add 25% to the base rate you enter. Do not enter a rate that already includes casual loading; the tool applies it automatically.

For example, if the award base rate for a sonographer is $45 per hour, the casual rate is $45 × 1.25 = $56.25 per hour. Your annual gross as a casual would then be $56.25 × 38 × 52 = $111,150.

Superannuation: Paid on Top

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% of your ordinary earnings, on top of your salary. This is not deducted from your hourly rate. The maximum contribution base for 2026–27 is $270,830. For a sonographer earning $98,800 per year, the super contribution would be $98,800 × 12% = $11,856, bringing total remuneration to $110,656. Use the super and packaging page to learn more about salary sacrificing and contribution caps.

Tax and Take‑Home Pay

Your annual gross is not what you take home. The Australian Taxation Office uses a progressive tax scale for 2026–27:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% of excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 + 30% of excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 + 37% of excess over $135,000
$190,001+: $51,420 + 45% of excess over $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds). For a sonographer with a gross annual salary of $98,800, the estimated tax is approximately $18,354 and Medicare $1,976, leaving a take‑home pay of about $78,470. See the take-home pay page for a detailed breakdown.

Sonographer Salary in Context

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, average weekly earnings for full‑time adult ordinary time employees in May 2026 were $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. A sonographer salary typically falls within or above this range, depending on experience, location, and whether you work in the public or private sector. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool can provide personalised estimates based on your award and classification.

Important Disclaimer

The annual pay shown here is an estimate based on 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 uses 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.

For accurate award rates, always check the reference tables or the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, the agreement rates override the award.