Medical Scientist Salary in Australia
If you are researching a medical scientist salary in Australia, the most reliable public figure comes from Jobs and Skills Australia, which reports median full-time weekly earnings of $2,056 for medical laboratory scientists (ANZSCO 2346). This is based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. The figure is a median – the midpoint of all full-time non-managerial adult employees in the occupation – and it sits just below the national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).
How the National Average Is Calculated
The national full-time average is published twice a year by the ABS in its Average Weekly Earnings release. For May 2026, the seasonally adjusted figure for full-time adult ordinary time earnings was $2,083.70 per week. Multiplied by 52 weeks, that equals about $108,352 a year. This is the figure used as the line on this site. It is an average, meaning it can be pulled up by very high earners. The national full-time median – the middle point for all full-time employees – is lower, at about $1,741 per week (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).
Where Medical Scientists Sit
With a median of $2,056 per week, medical laboratory scientists earn:
- $204 per week more than the national full-time median ($1,852)
- $27.70 per week less than the national full-time average ($2,083.70)
- $631 per week more than the all-employees median ($1,425)
The occupation is 66% female, and the median age is 39. About 75% of medical laboratory scientists work full time, averaging 42 hours per week. Their median hourly earnings are $56, compared to $47 for all occupations.
Comparing to the National Minimum Wage
From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week (about $52,255 a year). Award minimums rose by 4.75% at the same time. A medical scientist earning the median of $2,056 per week is earning more than double the minimum wage, reflecting the skilled professional nature of the role.
State and Sector Differences
Full-time average weekly earnings vary significantly by state and territory. For example:
- Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090 per year
- Western Australia: about $115,825 per year
- New South Wales: about $109,658 per year
- Tasmania: about $96,008 per year
Medical scientists in the public sector (e.g., government pathology labs) may earn more than those in private labs. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings data shows public sector full-time ordinary time earnings averaged $2,263.10 per week in May 2026, while private sector averaged $2,034.10.
How This Site Uses the Data
This page compares the medical scientist salary to the national full-time average line. You can place a salary on the line to see where any figure sits. For a broader view, explore job medians for other occupations or industry medians for sector comparisons. State-level data is available on the states and territories page.
Important Distinctions
- Average vs median: The national line is an average; the medical scientist figure is a median. Medians are less affected by extreme values and are often a better guide to typical pay.
- Full-time vs all employees: The occupation median is for full-time non-managerial adult employees. Part-time and casual workers earn less on a weekly basis.
- Tax considerations: For the 2026–27 income year, a medical scientist earning $2,056 per week ($106,912 annually) would fall into the 30% tax bracket ($45,001 to $135,000) plus the 2% Medicare levy. The tax-free threshold is $18,200.
Where the Figures Come From
The median earnings for medical laboratory scientists are sourced from Jobs and Skills Australia, which uses ABS data. The national average is from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings release. The minimum wage is from Fair Work. All figures are the latest available as of mid-2026. For more on methodology, see how the figures are set and about this site.
Summary
A medical scientist salary in Australia, as represented by medical laboratory scientists, has a median full-time weekly earnings of $2,056. This is very close to the national full-time average of $2,083.70, meaning the occupation pays around the average line. It is well above the national minimum wage and the all-employees median, reflecting the specialised qualifications required. For personalised comparisons, use the Guides section to explore how experience, location, and sector affect pay.