Where pharmacist pay sits against the national line
The national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, is $2,083.70 a week – about $108,352 a year. This is the line that Place a salary on the line uses to compare any occupation.
For pharmacists, the most authoritative current figure is the median full‑time weekly earnings of $1,956, from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. That annualises to roughly $101,712 – about 6% below the national average.
This means the typical pharmacist earns less than the average full‑time worker, but still above the all‑employees median of about $74,100 and the full‑time median of about $90,532. The gap is not huge, and many pharmacists – especially those in senior roles or with penalty rates – can cross the line.
Award minimums vs the average
The Pharmacy Industry Award (effective 1 July 2026) sets the legal floor. The base rate for a Pharmacist is $41.74 an hour, or $1,586.30 a week on 38 hours – about $82,488 a year. That is well below the national average. Higher classifications pay more:
- Experienced Pharmacist: $45.72/hour ($1,737.40/week, ~$90,345/year)
- Pharmacist in charge: $46.80/hour ($1,778.40/week, ~$92,477/year)
- Pharmacist manager: $52.15/hour ($1,981.60/week, ~$103,043/year)
Even the Pharmacist manager rate sits slightly under the $108,352 average. However, award rates are minimums; many pharmacists are covered by enterprise agreements or individual contracts that pay more. The median of $1,956/week suggests the typical pharmacist earns about 23% above the base award rate.
How penalty rates and overtime can lift pay
Award penalty rates can push weekly earnings above the average, especially in community pharmacies that open evenings and weekends. Under the Pharmacy Industry Award:
- Morning work (7am–8am Monday–Friday): 150% of base (Pharmacist $62.61/hour)
- Evening work (7pm–9pm Monday–Friday): 125% ($52.18/hour)
- Late evening (9pm–midnight): 150% ($62.61/hour)
- Saturday morning (7am–8am): 200% ($83.48/hour)
- Saturday (8am–6pm): 125% ($52.18/hour)
- Saturday evening (6pm–9pm): 150% ($62.61/hour)
- Sunday: 175% ($73.05/hour)
- Overtime (first 2 hours Monday–Saturday): 150% ($62.61/hour)
A pharmacist working regular Saturday shifts or a mix of evenings could easily add 20–30% to their base weekly pay, lifting them above the $2,083.70 average. Overtime and Sunday work push it higher still.
Location matters
State and territory averages vary significantly, and a pharmacist's location can determine whether they are above or below the national line. The ABS May 2026 state full‑time ordinary‑time averages are:
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
- Western Australia: $115,825
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- South Australia: $102,450
- Tasmania: $96,008
A pharmacist in the ACT or WA earning the national median of $101,712 would be below the state average, but in Tasmania they would be above it. The States and territories page shows how each region compares.
How the figures are set
The national average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, published twice a year (May and November). It measures ordinary‑time earnings for full‑time adults, before tax. The pharmacist median comes from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which is less frequent but gives a better picture of what a typical worker in an occupation earns. Award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and updated each July. For more detail on methodology, see How the figures are set.
The bottom line
Pharmacist pay in Australia is close to the national full‑time average but slightly below it. The median of $101,712 is about $6,600 less than the $108,352 line. However, with the right role, location and penalty shifts, many pharmacists do cross the line. The award provides a safety net, but most pharmacists earn above it. To see where your own salary sits, use the Job medians tool to compare with other occupations.