Dermatologist salary: award minimums and the national picture
If you're looking for a typical dermatologist salary in Australia, you'll find that official sources do not publish a single figure for this specialised medical role. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not release median earnings for 6-digit occupations like Dermatologists (ANZSCO 253911) because the sample size is too small to produce a reliable estimate. Jobs and Skills Australia also lists median weekly earnings as 'N/A' for this occupation.
What we do have is the minimum pay rate set by the Medical Practitioners Award, which covers dermatologists working in public hospitals and some private settings. The award rate for a Specialist (full-time) from 1 July 2026 is $2,570.93 per week, or $67.66 per hour on a 38-hour week. That works out to about $133,688 per year before tax. Senior specialists can earn more under the award, with rates up to $3,149.16 per week.
How the award rate compares to the national average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year), according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. The Specialist award minimum is about 23% higher than that average. For context, the all-employees median (including part-time) is about $74,100 per year, and the full-time median is about $90,532 per year.
Men's full-time average earnings are about $113,412 per year, and women's about $100,594 per year. The award rate for a specialist sits well above both.
Reading the same pay as a year, a week, and an hour
It can be helpful to see a salary in different timeframes. The Specialist award minimum translates to:
- Yearly: $133,688 (52 weeks)
- Weekly: $2,570.93
- Hourly: $67.66 (38-hour week)
Compare that to the national full-time average:
- Yearly: $108,352
- Weekly: $2,083.70
- Hourly: $54.83
State and territory differences
Full-time average earnings vary across Australia. The highest is the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090 per year, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. Tasmania has the lowest at $96,008. Dermatologists working in higher-paying states may earn above the award rate, but official occupation-specific data by state is not available.
Award minimums and the national minimum wage
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on 38 hours. The Specialist award rate is more than double that. Award minimums rose by 4.75% in the latest adjustment.
What about tax?
For the 2026–27 income year, a dermatologist earning the Specialist award minimum of $133,688 would fall into the 30% tax bracket (income between $45,001 and $135,000). They would also pay the 2% Medicare levy. The tax-free threshold is $18,200.
Where to find more
- Place a salary on the line to see how any figure compares to the national average.
- Job medians lists median earnings for occupations where the ABS publishes data.
- Guides explain how award rates and averages are calculated.
Key takeaway
While there is no official typical salary for dermatologists, the award minimum provides a solid benchmark. Most dermatologists in private practice earn significantly more than the award rate, but the exact figure depends on experience, location, and patient volume. For a personalised comparison, use our salary line tool.