Paramedic salary and the national line
The national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average is $2,083.70 per week, about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, × 52). This is the line that Place a salary on the line. Paramedics typically earn above that line. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full‑time paramedic weekly earnings are $2,852 per week (ABS Survey Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report). That is about $148,304 a year. It is a median, not an average, and it is 37% above the national full‑time average.
How the figures are set
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey measures average earnings across all full‑time adults. It is published twice a year, for May and November. The median from the ABS Employee Earnings survey is a different measure: it shows the middle point of earnings for full‑time non‑managerial employees paid at the adult rate. The national full‑time median is about $90,532 a year, and the all‑employees median is about $74,100. Paramedics are well above both.
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, about $52,255 a year on 38 hours. Award minimums rose 4.75% from that date. The Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award sets minimum rates for paramedics and patient transport officers. For example, a first‑year ambulance officer is $1,309.50 per week ($34.46 an hour), while a student paramedic level 1 is $1,179.10 per week ($31.03 an hour). These are minimums; most paramedics are paid above award through enterprise agreements.
State variations
State full‑time averages from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, show how location can move pay off the national line. For example:
- Western Australia full‑time average $2,227.40 per week ($115,825 a year)
- Australian Capital Territory full‑time average $2,290.20 per week ($119,090 a year
- Tasmania full‑time average $1,846.30 per week ($96,008 a year)
Paramedics in states with higher overall earnings, like WA and ACT, may also see higher paramedic salaries due to local labour market conditions and enterprise agreements. The States and territories page shows each state's average.
Job medians
Jobs and Skills Australia provides median earnings for paramedics: $2,852 per week. This is higher than the national full‑time median of $1,852 per week for all occupations. The median hourly rate for paramedics is $71, compared to $47 for all occupations. 90% of paramedics work full‑time, averaging 47 hours per week, which contributes to higher weekly earnings.
Award minimums vs actual pay
The award minimums are much lower than the median. A first‑year ambulance officer earns $1,309.50 per week under the award, but the median is $2,852. This gap reflects experience, overtime, penalties, and enterprise agreements. For example, the award includes shift allowances (e.g., $59.71 per shift for finishing between 6pm and 8am), Saturday and Sunday penalties (time‑and‑a‑half and double‑time), and public holiday rates (double‑time‑and‑a‑half). These can significantly increase actual pay.
Why it matters
Understanding where paramedic salary sits against the national line helps job seekers and employers benchmark pay. The line is the average for all full‑time adults; paramedics are above it, but award minimums are below. This shows the importance of enterprise agreements and state‑based arrangements. For more detail, see How the figures are set and About this site.