Speech Pathologist Salary and the National Average
When asking about a speech pathologist salary, the first thing to note is that the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for this specific 6-digit occupation (ANZSCO 252712). The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for Speech Pathologists states that median weekly earnings are not available due to high relative standard error. This means we cannot point to a single authoritative figure from the ABS.
What we do have is the broader picture. The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the line that this site uses as its reference. The full-time median across all occupations is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).
Award Coverage and Minimum Rates
Speech pathologists are generally covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide, updated 22 October 2026, lists weekly rates for support services employees. For example, a Level 1 support worker earns $1,024.70 per week ($26.97 per hour), while a Level 9 pay point 3 earns $1,497.80 per week ($39.42 per hour). However, qualified speech pathologists are typically classified at higher professional levels within the award, which are not detailed in the support services table. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week (about $52,255 per year). Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date.
Estimating Take-Home Pay
To get a sense of what a speech pathologist might take home after tax, you can use the 2026–27 resident tax rates:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (reductions may apply for low-income earners).
For example, if a speech pathologist earns the national full-time average of $108,352, the estimated tax plus Medicare would be around $26,000, leaving about $82,000 after tax. If they earn closer to the all-employees median of $74,100, the after-tax amount would be roughly $59,000.
How Speech Pathologists Compare by State
The national average varies by state. For instance, the full-time average in New South Wales is about $109,658; in Victoria $106,137; in Queensland $106,064; in Western Australia $115,825; and in the Australian Capital Territory $119,090. State and territory averages can help you benchmark a local speech pathologist salary.
Medians and Averages: What's the Difference?
It's important to keep the terms distinct. The average (mean) is pulled higher by very high earners. The median is the middle point – half earn more, half less. For full-time workers, the median is about $90,532, while the average is $108,352. The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is $74,100. Job medians for other occupations are available, but not for speech pathologists at the 6-digit level.
Where to Find More Information
If you're a speech pathologist looking to see where your pay sits, you can place a salary on the line to compare it with the national full-time average. For a deeper look at how the figures are set, see How the figures are set. And for general guidance on salaries and awards, visit Guides.
Summary
While a precise national figure for speech pathologist salary is not published by the ABS, you can use the national average ($108,352), the full-time median ($90,532), and the minimum wage ($52,255) as reference points. Award rates under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award provide a floor, but actual salaries depend on experience, location, and sector (public vs private). Use the tools on this site to compare your own salary against the national line.