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Pathology salary: how it compares to the national full-time average

The ABS does not publish a separate earnings figure for pathologists. The closest reference is the health care and social assistance full-time average of $2,037 per week ($105,924 a year).

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Pathology salary and the national average

There is no single published figure for a pathology salary in Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia do not report median or average weekly earnings for the occupation of pathologists (ANZSCO 253915) because the sample size is too small for a reliable estimate. The most recent data from Jobs and Skills Australia lists median weekly earnings as N/A.

To give context, the national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70, or about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the reference line used on this site. The health care and social assistance industry, which includes pathologists, has a full-time adult average of $2,037.20 per week ($105,924 a year). That is about 2.2% below the national average.

Using the professional median as a guide

For a broader comparison, the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (May 2025) shows that full-time professionals (the major group that includes pathologists) have a median weekly earnings of $1,887, or about $98,124 a year. The average weekly total cash earnings for all professionals is $2,049.60 ($106,579 a year). Pathologists are likely to earn above the professional median given their specialist training, but without a published figure we cannot be precise.

Take-home pay on the national average

If a pathologist earned exactly the national full-time average of $108,352, their 2026–27 tax would be calculated as follows:

  • $0 on the first $18,200
  • 15% on the next $26,800 ($4,020)
  • 30% on the remaining $63,352 ($19,005.60)
  • Total income tax: $23,025.60
  • Medicare levy (2%): $2,167.04
  • Total deductions: $25,192.64
  • Net annual income: about $83,159.36, or roughly $1,599 a week.

This is a simplified estimate. Actual take-home pay depends on factors such as HECS-HELP repayments, private health insurance, and other offsets.

How this site can help

You can place a salary on the line to see how any income compares to the national full-time average. The site also shows job medians for hundreds of occupations, though pathologists are not currently listed due to data limitations. For state-by-state comparisons, see states and territories.

The minimum wage benchmark

From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work). Award minimums rose by 4.75%. A pathologist's salary would be well above these minimums, but the exact margin is unknown.

Why no official figure?

The ABS and Jobs and Skills Australia only publish median weekly earnings for occupations with sufficient survey responses. Pathologists are a small occupation (about 2,800 employed, according to Jobs and Skills Australia) and the data is considered unreliable for a separate estimate. The best alternative is to use the health care industry average or the professional average as a proxy.

Summary

While a precise pathology salary is not available, the national full-time average of $108,352 and the health care industry average of $105,924 provide useful reference points. Pathologists are likely to earn in the upper range of professional salaries, but readers should consult industry awards or employer agreements for specific rates. For more information on how figures are set, see How the figures are set.

Questions

What is the average salary for a pathologist in Australia?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia do not publish a specific average or median salary for pathologists (ANZSCO 253915). The most relevant industry benchmark is the health care and social assistance full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,037.20 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026), which equates to about $105,924 a year. For a broader professional comparison, the median full-time earnings for all professionals is about $1,887 a week ($98,124 a year) according to ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025.

How does a pathologist's pay compare to the national full-time average?

The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 ($108,352 a year). The health care industry average is slightly below that at $2,037.20. However, pathologists are highly skilled medical specialists and may earn above the industry average, but no official figure is available. The full-time median for all employees is $1,887 a week ($98,124 a year), so a pathologist's salary is likely above that median.

What would a pathologist take home after tax on the national average?

If a pathologist earned the national full-time average of $108,352 a year, their 2026–27 tax would be about $24,567 plus Medicare levy of $2,167, leaving roughly $81,618 after tax. This is a rough estimate using the resident tax rates: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, plus 2% Medicare. Actual take-home depends on individual circumstances.

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