Marine Biologist Salary Australia: Understanding the Pay Picture
If you're looking for a precise marine biologist salary in Australia, the short answer is that the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for this occupation. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for Marine Biologists (ANZSCO 234516) also lists median weekly earnings as N/A. This is because the sample size is too small to produce a reliable estimate. That doesn't mean we can't talk about pay – we can place the role against national benchmarks and understand what a marine biologist might earn.
What the Data Tells Us
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, there are about 760 marine biologists employed in Australia (2021 Census). The workforce is 44% female, with a median age of 41. Most work full-time (74%), averaging 41 hours per week – slightly below the all-occupations average of 44 hours. The part-time share is 26%, higher than the national average of 36% for all occupations.
Because the ABS doesn't release a median for this 6-digit occupation, we can't give a specific weekly or yearly figure. However, we can look at broader categories. Marine biologists fall under the ANZSCO group "Life Scientists" (2345), which includes biochemists, botanists, zoologists, and others. The ABS does publish medians for some 4-digit groups, but not for 2345 specifically in the latest release. The most relevant benchmark is the national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings: $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the figure used by Average line as the "line" for full-time workers.
Reading Pay as a Year, Week, and Hour
Even without a marine biologist-specific figure, you can use the national average to understand what a typical full-time professional earns. On a 38-hour week (the standard used for the national minimum wage and many awards), $2,083.70 per week works out to about $54.83 per hour. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year (Fair Work). So a marine biologist would almost certainly earn well above the minimum wage, given the professional qualifications required.
If you want to compare to other professionals, the all-employees median weekly earnings are $1,436 (about $74,672 per year) according to ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025. The full-time median is higher: around $1,741 per week (about $90,532 per year). These figures give a sense of where a marine biologist might sit – likely in the upper half of the earnings distribution, given the degree and specialist skills.
State and Sector Differences
Where you work matters. The ABS publishes full-time average weekly ordinary time earnings by state. For example, Western Australia has the highest state average at $2,227.40 per week ($115,825 per year), while Tasmania is lowest at $1,846.30 ($96,008). The public sector average is $2,263.10 per week ($117,681), higher than the private sector average of $2,034.10 ($105,773). Many marine biologists are employed by government agencies (e.g., CSIRO, state environment departments, universities) which tend to pay according to enterprise agreements or awards. Private sector roles in environmental consulting, aquaculture, or tourism may offer different pay structures.
How to Estimate Your Own Salary
Without a published median, you can use the How the figures are set guide to understand how salaries are determined. You can also compare to related occupations using the Job medians page. For example, biochemists and biotechnologists often have published medians that may be similar. The Industry medians page can also help if you know the sector – for instance, "Professional, Scientific and Technical Services" has a full-time average of $2,389.60 per week.
If you're considering a career as a marine biologist, remember that experience, qualifications, and location all play a role. The median age of 41 suggests many workers are mid-career. Entry-level roles may start around the national minimum or slightly above, while senior scientists or managers can earn well above the national average.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
Once you have an estimated salary, you can work out take-home pay using the 2026–27 tax rates: nil tax up to $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% from $45,001 to $135,000, 37% from $135,001 to $190,000, and 45% above $190,000. Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (with possible reductions for low incomes). For a salary of $108,352 (the national full-time average), the tax would be roughly $24,667 plus Medicare, leaving about $81,500 after tax. Use the Place a salary on the line tool to see your own figures.
The Bottom Line
While a precise marine biologist salary in Australia isn't published by the ABS, you can use national averages, medians, and state data to get a ballpark. The role is a professional occupation that typically pays above the all-employees median and often near or above the national full-time average, depending on experience and employer. For the most accurate picture, check enterprise agreements or speak to industry bodies.
For more on how salaries compare across Australia, see States and territories. And if you have your own salary to check, use the Place a salary on the line tool to see where it sits against the national average.