Dermatologist salary Australia: No single figure, but award and state clues
If you search for a single “dermatologist salary Australia” figure, you will not find one published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics or Jobs and Skills Australia. The ABS does not break out earnings for individual medical specialties in its Average Weekly Earnings survey, and the most recent occupational data from Jobs and Skills Australia (based on the 2021 Census and the 2023 Employee Earnings survey) explicitly states that median weekly earnings are not produced for dermatologists. That means any precise number you see online is likely an estimate, not an official statistic.
What we do have are two reliable anchors: the national full‑time average from the ABS and the minimum award rates for specialist medical practitioners from Fair Work. Together with state averages, these show why a dermatologist’s pay can sit well above or below the national line depending on where and how they work.
The national full‑time average line
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 puts full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings at $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52). This is the line that Average line uses as its benchmark. The all‑employees median (including part‑time and casual workers) is lower at about $74,100 a year, while the full‑time median is about $90,532. These figures come from the ABS Employee Earnings survey for August 2025.
State averages vary considerably, as shown in the same ABS release:
- New South Wales: $2,108.80/week ($109,658/year)
- Victoria: $2,041.10/week ($106,137/year)
- Queensland: $2,039.70/week ($106,064/year)
- South Australia: $1,970.20/week ($102,450/year)
- Western Australia: $2,227.40/week ($115,825/year)
- Tasmania: $1,846.30/week ($96,008/year)
- Northern Territory: $1,984.10/week ($103,173/year)
- Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20/week ($119,090/year)
See how your state compares on the line
These are averages across all full‑time occupations, not just medical specialists. But they provide a useful context: a dermatologist working in the ACT or WA is likely to earn more than one in Tasmania, simply because the overall wage structure is higher.
Award rates for specialists
The Fair Work Medical Practitioners Award 2020 sets minimum pay for employed doctors. For a Specialist (the classification that covers dermatologists who are not in training), the weekly minimum from 1 July 2026 is $2,570.93, which works out to about $133,688 a year on a 38‑hour week. Senior specialists can earn up to $3,193.92 per week (about $166,084 a year) at the top pay point. These rates include penalty loadings for weekend and public holiday work.
It is important to understand that these are minimums, not averages or medians. Many dermatologists are not employed under the award at all. They may run their own private practice, work as contractors, or operate in a partnership. In those cases, earnings are driven by patient fees, Medicare rebates, and the number of procedures performed. The award floor is relevant mainly for hospital‑employed dermatologists or those in community health settings.
Why state and award can move the figure off the line
A dermatologist’s salary can diverge from the national full‑time average for two main reasons.
1. Location. State averages reflect local labour market conditions. Western Australia’s mining‑driven economy pushes up wages across the board, while Tasmania’s smaller economy keeps averages lower. A dermatologist in Perth may command higher fees because patients have more disposable income, and private practice overheads (rent, staff) are also higher. Conversely, a dermatologist in Hobart might earn less in absolute terms but benefit from lower living costs.
2. Award coverage vs. private practice. If a dermatologist is employed under the Medical Practitioners Award, their minimum pay is already about 23% above the national full‑time average ($2,570.93 vs. $2,083.70). But if they are in private practice, their income can be much higher—or, in some cases, lower if they are starting out or in a low‑demand area. The award provides a safety net, but the market determines the ceiling.
Jobs and Skills Australia notes that 65% of dermatologists work full‑time, with an average of 46 hours per week. That is above the standard 38‑hour week, so a dermatologist working longer hours under the award would earn proportionally more (overtime rates apply). In private practice, longer hours directly increase billings.
What about the median?
The ABS does not publish a median for dermatologists. The closest occupational median is for “Medical Practitioners (not elsewhere classified)”, which includes a broad range of specialists. That figure from the August 2025 Employee Earnings survey is about $2,300 per week for full‑time non‑managerial employees, but it is not specific to dermatology. Without a dedicated survey, any median is an educated guess.
Putting it together
For a dermatologist in Australia, the national full‑time average of $108,352 is a useful reference point, but it is not a target. Award minimums start at $133,688, and state averages suggest that location can add or subtract 10–15% from that baseline. Private practice earnings can push well beyond the award, especially for dermatologists offering cosmetic procedures or working in high‑demand urban areas.
If you are comparing a salary offer or planning your own practice, the best approach is to look at the award rate for your classification and then adjust for your state’s average. The line on this site shows where the national average sits; your own figure may be higher or lower depending on these factors.
Key takeaways
- No official median or average exists for dermatologists in Australia.
- The Medical Practitioners Award sets a minimum of $2,570.93/week for specialists (about $133,688/year).
- State full‑time averages range from $96,008 (Tasmania) to $119,090 (ACT).
- Private practice earnings can exceed award rates significantly.
- The national full‑time average of $108,352 is a benchmark, not a ceiling.