Radiation therapist salary and the national average
For anyone working as a radiation therapist in Australia, the question of how their pay compares to the national full-time average is a natural one. The national full-time adult ordinary-time average, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, stands at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year. This is the line that the Average site uses as its central benchmark. But where does a radiation therapist salary fall in relation to that line?
What the official data shows
The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for the occupation of Medical Radiation Therapists (ANZSCO 251212). The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for this occupation notes that median weekly earnings are not available, likely because the sample size in the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey is too small to produce a reliable estimate. This means there is no single, nationally representative figure for a radiation therapist salary that can be directly compared to the all-occupations median of about $90,532 (full-time) or $74,100 (all employees).
Instead, the most detailed public information comes from state-based awards and enterprise agreements. The Tasmanian Department of Health publishes the Radiation Therapists Agreement 2025, which sets out salary rates for public-sector radiation therapists in Tasmania. These rates are effective from 24 May 2026 and range from $76,190 at Level A Year 1 to $202,940 at Level 6 Year 2. The agreement covers classifications from entry-level through to senior management roles such as Chief Radiation Therapist.
Where the award rates sit relative to the line
To see how a radiation therapist salary compares to the national full-time average, it helps to map the Tasmanian award levels against the $108,352 line:
- Level A (entry-level, years 1–4): $76,190 to $82,370 – well below the national average.
- Level 1 (years 2–6): $92,746 to $113,481 – the upper steps cross the line.
- Level 2 (years 1–5): $116,531 to $131,531 – above the average.
- Level 3 and above: $139,014 to $202,940 – significantly above.
A radiation therapist early in their career is likely to earn below the national full-time average, while those with several years of experience and progression to Level 2 or higher will earn above it. The Tasmanian rates are specific to that state and the public sector; private hospitals and other states may have different pay structures, often higher.
What moves pay above or below the average
The angle of this article is to explore what factors can push a radiation therapist salary above or below the national full-time average. Several key variables come into play:
Experience and classification – As the Tasmanian award shows, moving from Level A to Level 1 to Level 2 brings substantial increases. Each level requires a combination of years of service and, for higher levels, postgraduate qualifications or management responsibilities. A therapist who stays at Level 1 for many years may remain below the average, while one who achieves Level 2 or 3 will exceed it.
State and territory – The national full-time average varies by state. For example, the ABS reports that the full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings in Tasmania is about $96,008 per year, while in the Australian Capital Territory it is about $119,090. A radiation therapist in Tasmania on a Level 1 salary may be closer to that state’s average, whereas the same salary in the ACT would be further below the local average. The Tasmanian award rates are set for that state’s public sector; other states have their own awards and enterprise agreements, often with higher base rates.
Public versus private sector – The Tasmanian award applies to public hospitals. Private radiation therapy providers may offer different pay, sometimes above award to attract staff. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey shows that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in the private sector nationally are $2,139.50 per week for men and $1,840.80 for women, while the public sector is higher for women ($2,154.00) but lower for men ($2,399.30). The mix of public and private employment in radiation therapy will affect the overall average for the occupation.
Enterprise agreements and individual contracts – Many public hospitals have enterprise agreements that set pay rates above the minimum award. Some radiation therapists may be covered by agreements that include additional allowances, overtime, or penalty rates. In the private sector, individual contracts can vary widely. These agreements can push pay above the award rates shown in the Tasmanian schedule.
Hours worked – The national full-time average is based on ordinary-time earnings for full-time adults. Radiation therapists work an average of 39 hours per week full-time, according to the 2021 Census, slightly below the all-occupations average of 44 hours. If a therapist works additional hours or overtime, their total earnings may be higher than the ordinary-time figure suggests. However, the Average site uses ordinary-time earnings for the line, so extra hours are not reflected in the comparison.
Using the Average site to place a salary
If you are a radiation therapist and want to see where your own salary sits, you can use the Place a salary on the line tool. Enter your annual before-tax salary, and the site will show you the weekly and hourly equivalents based on a 38-hour week, as well as the distance from the national full-time average. You can also compare your pay to state averages using the States and territories page, or see how the occupation’s median (if available) compares on the Job medians page.
For a deeper understanding of how the figures are set, including the difference between averages and medians, see How the figures are set. The national full-time average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, released twice a year for May and November. The medians come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, released annually. The national minimum wage, from 1 July 2026, is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week.
Conclusion
A radiation therapist salary can fall below or above the national full-time average depending on experience, location, sector, and the specific award or agreement in place. While no single national figure exists for the occupation, the Tasmanian award provides a useful benchmark. Early-career therapists are likely to earn below the $108,352 line, while those with progression to senior levels will exceed it. Understanding these factors helps both employers and employees see where pay sits in the broader Australian earnings landscape.