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Dietician salary: How it compares to the national full-time average

The ABS does not publish a specific average salary for dieticians, but as health professionals they fall under the Professionals category with an average weekly total cash earnings of $2,049.60 (ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025).

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Dietician salary and the national full-time average

If you are researching a dietician salary in Australia, the most reliable starting point is the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The ABS does not publish a specific average for dieticians, but it does group them under the broad occupation category of Professionals. According to the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for May 2025, the average weekly total cash earnings for all professionals was $2,049.60. That works out to about $106,579 a year, assuming 52 weeks. This figure is slightly below the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 a year) from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026.

Where the national average comes from

The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey is the official measure of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. For May 2026, the seasonally adjusted figure was $2,083.70 per week, a 3.7% increase from the previous year. This is the figure we use as the "line" on this site. It represents the average for all full-time adults, not a specific occupation. The full-time median, which is less affected by very high earners, was about $90,532 a year (ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, August 2025). The all-employees median was about $74,100.

How dietician pay compares

Because dieticians are professionals, their pay is likely to be around the Professionals average of $2,049.60 per week. That is about $34 per week below the national full-time average. However, this is a broad average. Dieticians in the public health system may be covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award. The award sets minimum rates for various levels, but the pay guide excerpt provided only shows rates for support services employees, not for health professionals like dieticians. The award minimums increased by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, in line with the national minimum wage decision.

Dieticians who work in private practice, for corporate wellness programs, or in senior clinical roles may earn significantly more than the award minimum. Enterprise agreements or individual contracts can push pay above the average. Conversely, those in entry-level positions or part-time roles may earn less.

What moves pay above or below the average

Several factors can cause a dietician salary to sit above or below the national full-time average:

  • Public vs private sector: Public hospital dieticians often follow award rates, which may be lower than private sector salaries. Private practice dieticians can set their own fees, potentially earning above the average.
  • Experience and seniority: Senior dieticians, clinical leads, or managers can earn well above the professional average. The ABS data shows that managers across all occupations average $2,800.90 per week.
  • Location: Full-time average earnings vary by state and territory. For example, the full-time average in the Australian Capital Territory is about $119,090, while in Tasmania it is about $96,008. A dietician in the ACT might earn above the national average, while one in Tasmania might earn below. See our States and territories page for more details.
  • Award vs enterprise agreement: Dieticians covered by an enterprise agreement may have higher base rates or better conditions than the award. The method of setting pay matters: nationally, 38.5% of employees have individual arrangements, 34.6% are on collective agreements, and the rest are on awards (ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025).
  • Full-time vs part-time: The national full-time average is for full-time adults. Part-time dieticians earn less on a weekly basis, but their hourly rate may be comparable. The median weekly earnings for all part-time employees was $769 in May 2025.

Using the line tool

You can place any salary on the line using our tool Place a salary on the line. Enter a yearly figure before tax, and we will show you the weekly and hourly equivalent (based on a 38-hour week) and how far it is from the national full-time average. For a dietician salary, you might start with the Professionals average of $106,579 and see how it compares.

Other benchmarks

  • National minimum wage: From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on 38 hours. This is the floor for award-free employees.
  • Full-time median: About $90,532 per year. Half of full-time employees earn less than this.
  • All-employees median: About $74,100 per year. This includes part-time and casual workers.
  • Men's full-time average: About $113,412 per year. Women's full-time average: About $100,594 per year.

Where to find more data

The ABS publishes detailed earnings data by occupation every two years in the Employee Earnings and Hours survey. The next release will cover May 2026 data. For more occupation-specific figures, see our Job medians page. For industry breakdowns, see Industry medians.

Summary

A precise dietician salary figure is not available from the provided sources, but dieticians as professionals earn around $2,049.60 per week on average, slightly below the national full-time average of $2,083.70. Factors such as sector, experience, location, and pay-setting method can move a dietician's pay above or below that line. Use the tools on this site to see where any salary sits.

Questions

What is the average salary for a dietician in Australia?

A precise national average for dietician salary is not available from the provided sources. The ABS groups dieticians under Professionals, who had average weekly total cash earnings of $2,049.60 in May 2025 (about $106,579 a year). However, this figure covers all professionals, not dieticians specifically. The Health Professionals and Support Services Award sets minimum rates for some health roles, but the pay guide excerpt provided only covers support services employees, not dieticians.

How does a dietician salary compare to the national full-time average?

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). If a dietician earns around the Professionals average of $2,049.60, they would be slightly below the full-time average. However, dieticians in senior roles, private practice, or with enterprise agreements may earn above the average. Location also matters: the full-time average varies by state, from $96,008 in Tasmania to $119,090 in the ACT.

What factors affect a dietician's pay?

Several factors can move a dietician's pay above or below the national average. Public sector roles (e.g., in hospitals) often follow award rates, while private practice or corporate roles may offer higher pay. Experience and specialisation also matter. The Health Professionals and Support Services Award covers many dieticians, and its minimum rates are updated annually (e.g., a 4.75% increase from 1 July 2026). Enterprise agreements or individual arrangements can lift pay above the award. Location is another factor: full-time averages range from about $96,000 in Tasmania to $119,000 in the ACT.

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