What is the average surgeon salary in Australia?

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025), surgeons have median full-time weekly earnings of $3,905 and median hourly earnings of $80. This translates to an annual gross salary of approximately $203,060 based on a 38-hour week, but surgeons typically work 54 hours per week, giving an annual figure around $224,640 using the median hourly rate. These figures exclude superannuation, which is paid on top.

How many hours do surgeons typically work per week?

The ABS reports that surgeons work an average of 54 full-time hours per week, compared to 44 hours for all occupations. This is significantly higher than the standard 38-hour week used in many pay calculations. When estimating annual pay, it is important to use actual hours worked rather than a standard week, as overtime and on-call duties are common.

Which award covers surgeons in Australia?

Surgeons are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031), which sets minimum rates and conditions. However, most surgeons are employed under individual arrangements or enterprise agreements that pay well above the award. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for this award, but the ABS data reflects actual market earnings, which are far higher than award minima.

Surgeon Salary Australia: Hourly Rates, Annual Pay, and Award Coverage

Surgeons in Australia earn a median hourly rate of $80 and median weekly earnings of $3,905, based on 54 average hours per week (ABS, May 2025).

Understanding Surgeon Salary Australia

When researching surgeon salary Australia, the most reliable source is the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) via Jobs and Skills Australia. Their May 2025 data shows surgeons earn a median hourly rate of $80 and median weekly earnings of $3,905 for full-time non-managerial employees. This places surgeons among the highest-paid professionals in the country, well above the all-occupations median of $1,852 per week.

These figures come from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, which is the gold standard for comparing occupational pay. They reflect before-tax earnings and exclude superannuation, which is paid on top.

How Surgeon Pay Compares to the National Minimum Wage

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. A casual employee receives $33.05 per hour including the 25% casual loading. Surgeons earn roughly three times the minimum wage on an hourly basis, and their weekly earnings are nearly four times the minimum weekly rate. This gap highlights the specialised training, long hours, and high responsibility of the role.

Surgeons are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, but in practice most are employed under individual arrangements or collective agreements that pay far above the award. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for this award, but they are not a reliable guide to actual surgeon earnings.

Calculating Annual Pay from an Hourly Rate

To convert an hourly rate to annual gross pay, use the formula:

Annual gross ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a surgeon earning $80 per hour:

If working a standard 38-hour week: $80 × 38 × 52 = $158,080 per year
If working the average 54-hour week: $80 × 54 × 52 = $224,640 per year

The ABS reports that surgeons work an average of 54 hours per week, so the higher figure is more realistic. However, many calculators default to a 38-hour week. Our hourly conversion tool lets you adjust the hours to match your situation.

A fortnightly gross pay can be estimated as weekly earnings × 2. For a surgeon on $3,905 per week, that is $7,810 per fortnight before tax.

Tax and Super for Surgeons

Surgeons, like all Australian residents, pay tax on a sliding scale. For 2026–27:

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% (with reductions for low-income earners). A surgeon earning $224,640 would fall into the top bracket, so the marginal rate is 45% plus 2% Medicare levy = 47% on dollars above $190,000. The effective tax rate is lower due to the tax-free threshold and lower brackets.

Superannuation is paid on top of the salary at 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 (2026–27). For a surgeon earning $224,640, the employer would contribute an additional $26,956.80 per year into super. This is not included in the gross salary figure. See our super and packaging page for more.

A Note on Award Coverage

While the Medical Practitioners Award sets minimum rates, the ABS data shows that actual surgeon pay is determined by individual negotiation, hospital enterprise agreements, or private practice arrangements. The award minimum for a medical practitioner is far below $80 per hour. Therefore, when using our job pay tool, select the appropriate classification or enter the actual hourly rate you have been offered.

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.