Where does a pathologist’s salary sit against the Australian full‑time average?
If you are looking for a single, official figure for a pathologist’s salary in Australia, you will not find one. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for the occupation of pathologist (ANZSCO 253915) because the survey sample is too small to produce a reliable estimate. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for pathologists also lists median weekly earnings as N/A.
That does not mean the role is poorly paid. Pathologists are medical specialists who identify the causes and processes of disease by examining tissue, blood and other body fluids. They are classified as Professionals – the broad occupation group that had an average weekly total cash earnings of $2,049.60 for all employees in May 2025 (ABS Employee Earnings and Hours). For full‑time non‑managerial adult employees, the average weekly total cash earnings for Professionals was higher still, though the ABS does not break that down by specialty.
The national full‑time average benchmark
On this site, the line is drawn at the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 figure for full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings: $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52). This is the average for all full‑time adults across Australia, before tax. It is the figure you will see on the salary line when you place a salary on the line.
For context:
- The full‑time median (the middle point of all full‑time employees) was about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).
- The all‑employees median (including part‑time and casual) was about $74,100 per year.
- The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week on a 38‑hour week, or about $52,255 per year.
Pathologists are highly trained medical professionals, so their earnings are almost certainly well above the national minimum and likely above the full‑time median. But without a published median, we cannot say exactly how far above.
What we do know about pathologists’ work patterns
The ABS Census of Population and Housing (2021) gives some useful context:
- 67% of pathologists work full‑time, compared with 64% for all occupations.
- The average full‑time hours worked per week is 44 hours – the same as the all‑occupations average.
- The median age is 43 years, and 64% of pathologists are female (compared with 49% across all occupations).
These figures suggest that most pathologists work standard full‑time hours, and many may work slightly longer than the typical 38‑hour week used for the national minimum wage calculation. The high female share is notable and may influence overall earnings comparisons, as the gender pay gap persists in Australia.
How pathologists’ pay might compare with other medical roles
While the ABS does not publish a median for pathologists, it does publish averages for the broader Professionals category. In May 2025:
- Average weekly total cash earnings for all Professionals (full‑time and part‑time) was $2,049.60.
- Average hourly total cash earnings for Professionals (non‑managerial) was $64.50.
Medical practitioners, including pathologists, are a subset of Professionals. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile groups pathologists alongside dermatologists, emergency medicine specialists, obstetricians, eye specialists, radiologists and radiation oncologists. These are all highly paid specialties, so pathologists’ earnings are likely to be at the upper end of the Professionals range.
State‑by‑state context
If you are considering where to work as a pathologist, state full‑time averages may be a useful reference. The on‑site figures (derived from ABS Average Weekly Earnings) show:
- New South Wales: about $109,658 per year
- Victoria: about $106,137
- Queensland: about $106,064
- South Australia: about $102,450
- Western Australia: about $115,825
- Tasmania: about $96,008
- Northern Territory: about $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090
These are averages for all full‑time adult employees in each state and territory, not specific to pathologists. You can explore more on the States and territories page.
The bottom line
Because the ABS does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for pathologists, we cannot give a precise salary or a definitive distance from the national full‑time average. The occupation is small (about 2,800 employed according to the 2021 Census) and the survey sample is too limited. However, based on the work of medical specialists and the earnings of the broader Professionals group, it is reasonable to assume that pathologists are paid well above the national average. For the most accurate picture, you would need to consult individual award rates or enterprise agreements, which are not covered by this site.
For more on how salary figures are collected and what they mean, see How the figures are set. If you want to compare your own salary against the national line, use the Place a salary on the line tool.