Dermal therapist salary and the national average
If you are a dermal therapist or considering the profession, you probably want to know how the pay stacks up against the typical Australian full-time worker. The short answer is that the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a specific salary figure for dermal therapists. However, we can use the national full-time average as a benchmark and look at the awards, industries, and locations that shape pay in this field.
The national line: $108,352 per year
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 shows that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings average $2,083.70 per week. Multiplied by 52 weeks, that is about $108,352 per year. This is the line we use on this site. For context, the full-time median (the middle point where half earn more and half earn less) is about $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median (including part-time) is about $74,100 per year (ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work).
Where dermal therapists fit
Dermal therapists work in medical clinics, beauty salons, day spas, and sometimes in retail settings. Their classification under Australian awards depends on the workplace. The two most common awards are:
- Health Professionals and Support Services Award – for those working in medical or paramedical practices, including dermal clinics under the supervision of a health professional.
- General Retail Industry Award – for those in beauty salons or retail settings that offer skin treatments.
Both awards have minimum rates that start above the national minimum wage, especially for qualified or experienced staff. From 1 July 2026, award minimums rose by 4.75% (Fair Work). For example, a Level 1 employee under the Health Professionals award might earn around $27–$30 per hour, while a more senior dermal therapist could earn $35–$40 per hour. That translates to roughly $53,000 to $79,000 per year on a full-time basis – below the national average.
However, many dermal therapists work on commission, own their own business, or have enterprise agreements that push pay higher. Those in private clinics with a strong client base can earn well above the average, particularly if they offer high-margin services like laser hair removal, chemical peels, or cosmetic injectables (where state regulations allow).
What would move this pay above or below the average?
Several factors determine whether a dermal therapist earns above or below the $108,352 line.
Location
State full-time averages vary significantly. The highest is the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090 per year, followed by Western Australia at $115,825, New South Wales at $109,658, and Victoria at $106,137. Queensland is close to the national average at $106,064, while South Australia ($102,450), the Northern Territory ($103,173), and Tasmania ($96,008) are lower. A dermal therapist working in Canberra or Perth is more likely to earn above the national line, especially if they are in a high-end clinic.
Experience and specialisation
Entry-level dermal therapists often start on award rates, which are below the national average. With a few years of experience, especially in advanced treatments, pay can rise. Those who become clinic managers or open their own practice can earn significantly more, but also take on business risk.
Employment type
Full-time employees in clinics may earn a salary plus commission. Part-time and casual workers earn less per week but may have higher hourly rates due to casual loadings. The all-employees average (including part-time) is about $82,118 per year, which is lower than the full-time average. Many dermal therapists work part-time, which pulls down the overall average for the occupation.
Industry
The ABS does not break out dermal therapy as a separate industry, but it falls under "Health Care and Social Assistance" or "Other Services" (which includes beauty services). In the May 2026 AWE data, the Health Care and Social Assistance industry had average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,123.70 (about $110,432 per year), slightly above the national average. Other Services had $1,810.60 (about $94,151 per year), below the national average. So the setting matters.
How to use this information
If you are a dermal therapist, you can place your salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average. You can also check state and territory averages to see how location affects pay. Remember that the national average is a broad measure; your individual circumstances – award classification, experience, hours, and location – will determine where you sit.
The bottom line
A dermal therapist salary can range from around $53,000 for entry-level award positions to well over $100,000 for experienced professionals in private practice. Without a specific ABS figure, the best guide is to compare your own pay to the national full-time average of $108,352. If you earn above that, you are ahead of the typical full-time Australian worker. If you earn below, you are not alone – many in the beauty and health services sector earn below the average, especially in part-time or entry-level roles.
For more detail on how salaries are measured, see how the figures are set.