Sonographer salary: Year, week, and hour
If you are looking at a sonographer salary, you want to see how it stacks up against the national full-time average. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish a specific figure for sonographers, but we can use industry averages and award minimums to give you a clear picture. This page shows the same pay as a yearly salary before tax, a weekly amount, and an hourly rate based on a 38-hour week, and measures the distance from the national line.
National full-time average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). On a 38-hour week that works out to $54.83 per hour. This is the line that Place a salary on the line on this site. Men average $2,181.00 per week, about $113,413 per year, and women average $1,934.50 per week, about $100,594 per year.
Sonographer pay: What the data shows
Sonographers are classified under the health care and social assistance industry. In May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in that industry averaged $2,037.20 per week, or $105,934 per year. That is about $2,418 below the national average. The hourly rate is $53.61. This figure includes all full-time adult workers in the industry, not just sonographers, but it is the best available proxy.
The industry has a high female share (77% of sonographers are women, according to Jobs and Skills Australia). The female full-time average in health care and social assistance is $1,875.50 per week, or $97,526 per year, while the male average is $2,474.10 per week, or $128,653 per year. This gap reflects different roles within the industry.
Award minimums
Sonographers are typically covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award (MA000027). The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide from 1 October 2026 sets minimum weekly rates for support services employees. For a Level 9 pay point 3 employee, the minimum is $1,497.80 per week, or $39.42 per hour, about $77,886 per year. Most sonographers earn above this award due to experience, qualifications, and enterprise agreements.
How it compares
The national full-time median salary is $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The all-employees median is $74,100 per year. The sonographer industry average of $105,934 is above the median, meaning typical sonographers earn more than half of all full-time workers. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year on 38 hours. Award minimums rose 4.75% in that adjustment.
State comparisons
Sonographer pay varies by state. The full-time averages for each state and territory are:
- New South Wales: $109,658 per year
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
These are overall averages, not sonographer-specific, but they show where pay tends to be higher or lower. You can see all state figures on the States and territories page.
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 is 2% before any reductions. A sonographer earning $105,934 would fall in the 30% bracket, with a marginal rate of 32% including Medicare.
Summary
While there is no single sonographer salary published, the industry average of $105,934 per year places it close to the national full-time average of $108,352. Award minimums are much lower, and actual pay depends on location, experience, and employer. Use the Place a salary on the line tool to see how any specific figure compares.