Environmental Scientist Salary: Weekly, Hourly, and Yearly Pay
If you're looking at an environmental scientist salary in Australia, the most current benchmark comes from Jobs and Skills Australia, which reports median full-time weekly earnings of $1,953 for the occupation group Environmental Scientists (ANZSCO 2343). That translates to about $54 per hour on a standard 38-hour week and roughly $101,556 per year before tax.
This figure is a median — meaning half of full-time environmental scientists earn more, half earn less. It is based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, and is the best available snapshot for typical pay in the role.
How It Compares to the National Full-Time Average
The national full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, stand at $2,083.70 per week — about $108,352 per year. That is the line this site uses as the reference point. The environmental scientist median of $1,953 per week sits $130.70 below that average.
But context matters. The all-employees median (including part-time and casual workers) is about $74,100 per year, so environmental scientists are comfortably above that. And the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week — the environmental scientist median is more than double that.
Weekly, Hourly, and Yearly at a Glance
| Measure | Environmental Scientist (median) | National Full-Time Average |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly (full-time) | $1,953 | $2,083.70 |
| Hourly (38-hour week) | $54 | $54.83 |
| Yearly (52 weeks) | ~$101,556 | ~$108,352 |
Note that the national average is a mean, while the environmental scientist figure is a median. Medians are less affected by very high or low earners, so they give a truer picture of typical pay.
Where Environmental Scientists Work
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, environmental scientists are most commonly employed in:
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
- Public Administration and Safety
- Arts and Recreation Services (including park management)
These industries have different pay profiles. For example, the full-time average in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services is $2,389.60 per week ($124,259 per year), while Public Administration and Safety averages $2,179.80 per week ($113,350 per year).
State and Territory Differences
Your location matters. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey provides full-time adult ordinary-time averages by state. Here's how they compare to the national average of $2,083.70:
- Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20 per week (~$119,090 per year)
- Western Australia: $2,227.40 per week (~$115,825 per year)
- New South Wales: $2,108.80 per week (~$109,658 per year)
- Victoria: $2,041.10 per week (~$106,137 per year)
- Queensland: $2,039.70 per week (~$106,064 per year)
- Northern Territory: $1,984.10 per week (~$103,173 per year)
- South Australia: $1,970.20 per week (~$102,450 per year)
- Tasmania: $1,846.30 per week (~$96,008 per year)
Environmental scientists in the ACT or WA may earn above the national average for their state, while those in Tasmania or SA might see slightly lower pay. Place a salary on the line to see how your own pay compares.
Gender and Age Profile
Jobs and Skills Australia reports that 45% of environmental scientists are women, and the median age is 39 — the same as the national median. Full-time work is common: 85% work full-time, compared to 69% across all occupations. Average full-time hours are 42 per week, slightly below the all-occupations average of 44.
Tax on an Environmental Scientist Salary
Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates, a yearly salary of $101,556 would fall into the 30% marginal bracket (above $45,000 up to $135,000). After the tax-free threshold of $18,200, the tax payable would be approximately:
- 15% on $26,800 ($4,020)
- 30% on $56,556 ($16,967)
- Plus Medicare levy of 2% on taxable income (about $2,031)
- Total tax around $23,018, leaving about $78,538 after tax (or roughly $1,510 per week).
Actual tax depends on deductions, offsets, and whether you have private health insurance. Use the Guides for more detail on take-home pay.
How the Figures Are Set
The national full-time average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, published twice a year (May and November). The environmental scientist median is from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which is less frequent. Jobs and Skills Australia compiles occupation profiles using these sources. How the figures are set explains the methodology.
Other Ways to Compare
If you want to see how environmental scientist pay stacks up against other roles, visit Job medians for a full list. You can also compare by Industry medians or see how your state compares on the States and territories page.
Summary
The median environmental scientist salary in Australia is $1,953 per week ($54 per hour, ~$101,556 per year). This is below the national full-time average of $2,083.70 per week but above the all-employees median and well above the minimum wage. Pay varies by industry, location, and experience. For a personalised comparison, Place a salary on the line and see where you stand.