Pharmacist salary Melbourne: Where it sits against the national full-time average
If you are looking for a precise figure for a pharmacist salary in Melbourne, the short answer is that no official median or average is published for that specific occupation and location. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia do not release a separate earnings estimate for retail pharmacists at a city level. However, we can compare the available award minimums and state averages to the national full-time average to give you a clear picture.
The national full-time average (the line)
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 puts full-time adult ordinary-time earnings at $2,083.70 per week. Multiplied by 52 weeks, that is about $108,352 a year. This is the benchmark that Average line uses as its reference point. For comparison, the full-time median (all occupations) is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).
Pharmacy Industry Award minimums (from 1 July 2026)
The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pharmacy Industry Award sets legally binding minimum rates for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants. For a full-time Pharmacist (the base classification), the weekly rate is $1,586.30, which works out to $41.74 per hour. On a standard 38-hour week, that is about $82,487 a year. Higher classifications include:
- Experienced Pharmacist: $1,737.40/week ($45.72/hr, ~$90,345/yr)
- Pharmacist in charge: $1,778.40/week ($46.80/hr, ~$92,477/yr)
- Pharmacist manager: $1,981.60/week ($52.15/hr, ~$103,043/yr)
Even the top award classification (Pharmacist manager) falls short of the national full-time average of $108,352. The award also includes penalty rates for evening, Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday work, which can boost take-home pay for those who work non-standard hours.
Victoria’s full-time average
Victoria’s full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,041.10 per week, or about $106,137 a year. This is the relevant state benchmark for a pharmacist salary in Melbourne. While the award minimums are below this figure, many pharmacists in Melbourne are likely paid above the award, especially those with experience or in managerial roles. However, without a published median for retail pharmacists (Jobs and Skills Australia notes median weekly earnings as ‘N/A’ for this occupation), we cannot say exactly how far above the award the typical salary is.
How the figures are set
The national and state averages come from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, which is released twice a year (May and November). The award rates are determined by the Fair Work Commission and updated annually. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week ($52,255 a year on 38 hours). Award minimums rose by 4.75% in that same adjustment.
What this means for a pharmacist in Melbourne
If you are a pharmacist working in Melbourne, your salary will depend on your classification, experience, and employer. The award provides a safety net, but actual pay can be higher. For example, a Pharmacist manager on the award would earn about $103,043 a year, which is still below the Victorian average of $106,137 and the national average of $108,352. A base Pharmacist on the award would be about $26,000 below the national average.
To see how your own salary compares, you can place a salary on the line and see the distance from the full-time average. You can also explore state and territory averages or industry medians for more context.
Tax considerations
For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy of 2% applies before any reductions. A pharmacist earning $82,487 (award minimum) would pay about $16,847 in tax plus Medicare, leaving about $65,640 after tax. A pharmacist earning $108,352 (national average) would pay about $25,467, leaving about $82,885.
Summary
There is no single published figure for a pharmacist salary in Melbourne. The award minimums are well below the national full-time average, but actual salaries are likely higher. The best reference points are the Victorian full-time average ($106,137) and the national full-time average ($108,352). For more detailed comparisons, see our guides on interpreting award rates and market salaries.