Anaesthetist earnings vs the national line
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, sits at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year on a 38-hour week. This is the line that this site uses to compare any salary. For anaesthetists, the picture is dramatically different.
The median figure
The most current published earnings figure for anaesthetists comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. The median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial adult anaesthetists was $8,293. That is roughly four times the national full-time average. The median hourly earnings were $218, compared with the national all-employees median of $1,436 per week (about $37.80 per hour on a 38-hour week).
It is important to note that this is a median, not an average. The median is the middle point: half of anaesthetists earn more, half earn less. The average could be higher or lower depending on the distribution, but the ABS does not publish an average for this occupation. The median is the standard benchmark used by Jobs and Skills Australia for specialist roles.
How the line is drawn
The site's line uses the ABS Average Weekly Earnings measure for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. That figure is an average across all industries and sectors. For May 2026, it was $2,083.70 per week, a 3.7% increase from the previous year. The full-time median for all employees, from the same ABS survey, was about $1,887 per week (or $98,124 a year), while the all-employees median (including part-time) was $1,436 per week. Anaesthetists sit far above all of these benchmarks.
What moves anaesthetist pay above or below the average
Because the median for anaesthetists is already so high, the question is not whether it is above the national average (it clearly is) but what factors could push an individual anaesthetist's pay higher or lower relative to the median.
Hours worked
The average full-time hours for anaesthetists are 46 per week, according to the ABS Labour Force Survey data cited by Jobs and Skills Australia. That is above the standard 38-hour week used by this site. If an anaesthetist works fewer hours, their weekly earnings will be lower. Conversely, those who take on additional sessions or on-call work can earn significantly more. The median hourly rate of $218 means that each extra hour adds substantial income.
Public vs private sector
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey shows that public sector full-time adults earn a higher average ($2,263.10 per week) than private sector ($2,034.10). For anaesthetists, the split is not published, but anecdotal evidence suggests that private practice can yield higher earnings, especially for those with established patient bases. Public hospital employment often includes penalty rates and allowances that can boost base pay.
Location
State and territory averages vary considerably. The on-site notes provide full-time adult ordinary-time averages for each state, based on the ABS May 2026 release:
- New South Wales: $109,658 per year
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
Anaesthetists in higher-paying states like Western Australia or the ACT may earn above the national median for the occupation, while those in Tasmania or South Australia may be closer to the lower end. However, the ABS does not publish state-level medians for anaesthetists, so these comparisons are indicative.
Experience and seniority
The median age of anaesthetists is 49 years, compared with 39 for all occupations. This reflects the long training pathway and the tendency for anaesthetists to remain in the profession for decades. More experienced anaesthetists typically command higher fees or salaries, especially those in senior consultant roles or with administrative responsibilities.
Tax and take-home pay
At the median weekly earnings of $8,293, an anaesthetist's annual income would be around $431,236 (assuming 52 weeks). For the 2026–27 financial year, the 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
- 45% above $190,000
Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (before any reductions). At this income level, the marginal tax rate is 45% plus 2% Medicare levy, meaning each additional dollar earned is taxed at 47 cents. The effective tax rate on the total income would be high, but still leaves a substantial after-tax amount. For comparison, the national full-time average earner ($108,352) falls into the 30% bracket plus Medicare levy.
State and territory differences
States and territories page on this site allows you to see how the line changes by location. For an anaesthetist considering a move, the difference in average earnings between the highest-paying state (ACT at $119,090) and the lowest (Tasmania at $96,008) is about $23,000 per year for the average worker. For anaesthetists, the gap may be wider or narrower, but the state averages provide a useful reference point.
How the figures are set
The data used here come from two main ABS sources. The national full-time average is from the Average Weekly Earnings survey, conducted twice a year (May and November). The median earnings for anaesthetists come from the Employee Earnings and Hours survey, conducted annually. The minimum wage is set by Fair Work and from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% at the same time.
For more detail on how this site calculates the line and compares salaries, see How the figures are set. You can also explore Job medians for other occupations.