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Zoologist Salary: How It Compares to the National Full-Time Average

The ABS does not publish a specific average weekly earnings figure for zoologists, but as Professionals, their average weekly total cash earnings ($2,049.60 in May 2025) sit slightly below the national full-time ordinary-time average of $2,083.70.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Zoologist Salary and the National Average

If you are looking for a single, published figure for the average zoologist salary in Australia, you will not find one. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not release average weekly earnings for six-digit occupations such as zoologists (ANZSCO 234518). The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for zoologists also lists median weekly earnings as not available. This means any precise number you see online is likely an estimate or based on a small sample. However, we can still place zoologist pay in context using broader data and understand what would move it above or below the national full-time average.

The National Full-Time Average Line

The site's line is the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026: full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52). This is the benchmark. For comparison, the full-time median (from ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025) is about $90,532 a year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week.

Where Zoologists Sit

Zoologists are classified as Professionals. In the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for May 2025, the average weekly total cash earnings for all Professionals was $2,049.60, or about $106,579 a year. That is slightly below the national full-time ordinary-time average of $2,083.70. However, this figure includes all professionals (e.g., lawyers, engineers, accountants) and is not specific to zoologists. The average hourly total cash earnings for Professionals was $64.50, well above the national minimum.

What Moves Zoologist Pay Above or Below the Line

Several factors can push a zoologist's earnings above or below the $108,352 line.

Sector: Many zoologists work in the public sector (government agencies like CSIRO, state environment departments, universities) or in private consulting. The ABS data for May 2026 shows that full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are higher in the public sector for both men ($2,399.30) and women ($2,154.00) compared to the private sector ($2,139.50 and $1,840.80). Public-sector zoologists, especially those in senior roles, may earn above the national average.

Location: State full-time averages vary significantly. The on-site notes provide these figures (annualised from weekly): New South Wales $109,658, 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. A zoologist working in the ACT or WA is more likely to be above the national average, while one in Tasmania may be below.

Experience and Qualifications: Entry-level zoologists with a bachelor's degree may start on a graduate salary that is below the national average. Those with a PhD or many years of experience, especially in research leadership, can earn well above. The median age for zoologists is 41, suggesting many are experienced.

Full-Time vs Part-Time: About 27% of zoologists work part-time, according to the 2021 Census. Part-time earnings are lower on a weekly basis, but hourly rates may be comparable. The ABS data for May 2025 shows part-time employees earn a median of $769 per week, far below the full-time average.

Award Coverage: Zoologists may be covered by the Professional Employees Award or a university enterprise agreement. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, but these are minimums, not typical pay. Most professionals earn above award rates.

Using the Line Tool

You can place a salary on the line to see how a specific zoologist salary compares to the national full-time average, the median, and the minimum wage. The tool uses a 38-hour week to calculate weekly and hourly equivalents. You can also explore states and territories to see how location affects the average.

Summary

Without a published average for zoologists, the best reference is the Professional average of $2,049.60 per week. Whether a zoologist earns above or below the national full-time average depends on sector, location, experience, and hours. The line is $2,083.70 per week; many experienced, full-time public-sector zoologists in high-paying states may exceed it, while early-career or part-time zoologists may fall below.

Questions

What is the average salary for a zoologist in Australia?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a specific average weekly earnings figure for zoologists at the six-digit ANZSCO level. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for zoologists also lists median weekly earnings as not available. However, zoologists fall under the broader occupation group 'Life Scientists' and the professional category. For all Professionals, the ABS reported average weekly total cash earnings of $2,049.60 in May 2025, which is about $106,579 a year. This is slightly below the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 a year).

What factors can move a zoologist's pay above or below the national average?

Several factors influence zoologist pay. Sector is important: many zoologists work in the public sector (government agencies, universities) where pay is often set by awards or enterprise agreements. The ABS data shows that in May 2026, full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings in the public sector were higher for both men ($2,399.30) and women ($2,154.00) compared to the private sector ($2,139.50 and $1,840.80 respectively). Location also matters: state full-time averages range from $96,008 in Tasmania to $119,090 in the ACT. Experience and qualifications (e.g., a PhD) can push earnings higher, while entry-level roles may start below the average. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($52,255 a year on 38 hours), so any zoologist earning above that is above the minimum.

How does a zoologist salary compare to other life science occupations?

The ABS does not provide separate earnings for each life science sub-occupation (e.g., biologist, marine biologist, zoologist). However, the broader category 'Life Scientists' (ANZSCO 2345) had a median weekly earnings figure that was not published due to high relative standard error. As a guide, the average weekly total cash earnings for all Professionals was $2,049.60 in May 2025. Zoologists with postgraduate qualifications or in senior research roles may earn above this, while those in junior or part-time positions may earn less. The part-time share for zoologists is 27%, and the female share is 47%, according to the 2021 Census.

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