Forensic science salary in Australia
If you are looking for a single official figure for a forensic science salary, the short answer is that the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish one. Forensic science is a specialised field that falls under broader occupational groups. However, by using the data that is available, you can get a good sense of where this profession sits against the national benchmarks.
What the ABS tells us
The ABS releases two key surveys that help. The first is Average Weekly Earnings, which gives the national full-time adult average ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 per week (about $108,352 a year) as of May 2026. This is the line that this site uses as its reference point. The second is Employee Earnings and Hours, which provides median earnings by occupation. The most recent data (August 2025) shows that the median hourly earnings for all employees is $42.90, and for the occupation group Professionals it is $64.50.
Forensic scientists are typically classified as Professionals. Using that median hourly rate of $64.50 on a standard 38-hour week gives a weekly figure of about $2,451 and a yearly figure of about $127,452. That is above the national full-time average and well above the all-employees median of $1,425 per week ($74,100 per year).
How to use this site
The tool on this page lets you enter your own yearly salary before tax. It then shows you the equivalent weekly and hourly amounts (based on a 38-hour week) and how far you are from the national full-time average line. If you are a forensic scientist, you can enter your salary to see where you stand. For example, if you earn $120,000 a year, that is about $2,308 per week and $60.74 per hour, which is slightly above the national average but below the Professionals median.
State and territory differences
Your forensic science salary may also depend on where you work. The ABS publishes full-time average weekly ordinary time earnings by state. The highest is the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090 per year, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. The lowest is Tasmania at $96,008. Government forensic labs are often located in capital cities, so the ACT and larger states may offer higher pay. See our States and territories page for more detail.
The minimum wage and awards
Even if a precise forensic science salary is not published, you are protected by minimum standards. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week (about $52,255 a year). Most forensic scientists earn well above this. However, if you are covered by an award or enterprise agreement, your minimum rate may be higher. Fair Work increased award minimums by 4.75% from 1 July 2026. You can check your award on the Fair Work website.
How the figures are set
The national average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, which is published twice a year (May and November). The medians come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which is published annually. The minimum wage is set by the Fair Work Commission each year. For more on how these numbers are calculated, see How the figures are set.
Putting your salary on the line
The best way to understand your forensic science salary is to compare it directly to the national full-time average. Use the tool below to Place a salary on the line and see your weekly and hourly rates. You can also explore Job medians for other roles or Industry medians to see how different sectors compare.
Key takeaways
- The ABS does not publish a specific forensic science salary figure.
- Using the Professionals median hourly rate of $64.50, a typical forensic scientist earns about $127,452 per year.
- The national full-time average is $108,352 per year, so forensic science generally pays above average.
- State averages vary, with the ACT and WA offering the highest full-time earnings.
- Always check your award or agreement for your minimum entitlement.