Microbiologist salary in Australia
If you are looking for a single, official figure for the microbiologist salary in Australia, you will not find one in the main national datasets. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for the six‑digit occupation ‘Microbiologist’ (ANZSCO 234517). The most recent ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) also does not provide a separate estimate for this role because the sample size is too small to produce a reliable statistic.
That does not mean the pay is unknowable. Microbiologists are classified as Professionals, and the ABS does publish earnings for that broad occupational group. In May 2025, the median hourly total cash earnings for all non‑managerial Professionals was $64.50 (ABS Employee Earnings and Hours). On a standard 38‑hour week, that works out to about $2,451 per week, or roughly $127,452 per year before tax. However, this is a group average that includes many other professions such as lawyers, engineers and accountants. Microbiologists may earn more or less depending on their industry, experience and location.
How the national averages compare
The site’s reference line is the national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings release for May 2026: $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52). This is the average for all full‑time adults, not just professionals. The full‑time median (from the same ABS survey) is lower, at about $1,887 per week ($98,124 per year), while the all‑employees median (including part‑time) is $1,436 per week ($74,672 per year).
Because microbiologists are skilled professionals, their pay is likely to sit above the national full‑time average in many cases. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for Microbiologists (based on the 2021 Census) shows that 78% work full‑time, with average full‑time hours of 41 per week. The median age is 37, and 65% of microbiologists are female. These demographics can influence earnings, but the Census does not collect income data at the six‑digit occupation level.
Reading the same pay as a year, a week and an hour
Even without a precise microbiologist figure, you can use the national benchmarks to understand how any salary offer stacks up. The site converts a yearly salary to a weekly amount (based on a 38‑hour week) and shows the distance from the full‑time average. For example, if you are offered $110,000 per year, that is about $2,115 per week and $55.66 per hour – slightly above the national full‑time average. If you are offered $90,000 per year, that is about $1,731 per week and $45.55 per hour – below the average but still above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (Fair Work, from 1 July 2026).
Where to look for more specific data
If you need a more precise figure for a particular role, consider these sources:
- Industry awards and enterprise agreements: Many microbiologists work in hospitals, universities or private laboratories covered by awards such as the Health Professionals and Support Services Award or the Professional Employees Award. These set minimum pay rates that are often higher than the national minimum wage.
- Job advertisements: Real‑time listings on job boards can give a sense of the market rate for microbiologists in your state or sector.
- State and territory averages: The full‑time average varies across Australia. For instance, the Australian Capital Territory has the highest average at $119,090 per year, while Tasmania’s is $96,008 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A microbiologist in Canberra may earn more than one in Hobart, all else being equal.
Summary
While the ABS does not publish a specific median salary for microbiologists, the available data for Professionals and the national full‑time average provide useful reference points. Use the Place a salary on the line tool to compare any offer against the national benchmark, or explore Job medians for other occupations. For a deeper explanation of how these figures are collected, see How the figures are set.