Environmental Consultant Salary: Hourly to Annual Pay Guide
Based on a 38-hour week and 52-week year, an environmental consultant earning $50 per hour would gross $98,800 annually, with super of $11,856 paid on top.
Understanding the environmental consultant salary landscape
Environmental consultants in Australia provide advice on environmental impacts, planning approvals, contamination, and management for development projects. If you are negotiating an hourly rate or a salary offer, converting between the two is essential. This guide uses a 38-hour week as the standard, explains how to calculate annual pay, and covers tax, super, and award obligations.
What the data says about pay
According to, environmental consultants (ANZSCO 234312) have a median age of 39, with 45% female employment. About 75% work full-time, averaging 44 hours per week. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for this six-digit occupation, so official figures are limited. Recruiter surveys, such as those on, suggest a full-time salary range of $75,000 to $135,000, but these are indicative only and not from the Fair Work Ombudsman or ABS.
For a reliable baseline, the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the minimum casual rate $33.05 per hour. Most environmental consultants earn above the minimum, but award coverage may apply. The Professional Employees Award or a specific enterprise agreement could set minimum rates for your classification.
How to convert an hourly rate to annual pay
The formula is straightforward: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. For a standard 38-hour week, the calculation is:
- Hourly rate $50 → $50 × 38 × 52 = $98,800 gross per year
- Hourly rate $60 → $60 × 38 × 52 = $118,560 gross per year
- Hourly rate $70 → $70 × 38 × 52 = $138,320 gross per year
If you work more than 38 hours, substitute your actual weekly hours. For example, 44 hours per week at $50 per hour gives $50 × 44 × 52 = $114,400 annually. The the timesheet calculator lets you enter your hourly rate and see the annual, fortnightly, and weekly equivalents. Remember that the calculator assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances.
The role of awards and minimum wages
Environmental consultants may be covered by the Professional Employees Award or the Mining Industry Award if working in mining. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award, which include minimum pay rates, allowances, and penalty rates. Always check which award applies to your role. If your employer has an enterprise agreement, that agreement may set higher rates. The National Minimum Wage is a floor; your actual rate should be at least that.
Casual employees are entitled to a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For example, if the award rate is $30 per hour, a casual would receive $37.50 per hour. The casual loading page explains how to calculate it. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading into the timesheet; instead, enter the base rate and use the checkbox to add the loading.
Tax and superannuation considerations
Your gross annual salary is before tax and super. Superannuation is paid on top by your employer. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a $100,000 salary, the employer contributes $12,000 into your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay.
Tax is calculated using the 2026–27 resident 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 over $190,000
Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (generally). For a single person earning $98,800, the tax would be approximately $22,567 plus $1,976 Medicare levy, leaving about $74,257 after tax. Use the take-home pay page for a detailed estimate. Note that HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not included in this guide.
Using the timesheet calculator
The the timesheet on this site is designed for quick conversions. Enter your hourly base rate, select whether you are casual (to add 25% loading), and the calculator shows your weekly, fortnightly, and annual gross pay. It also estimates tax and super. The fortnightly figure is simply your weekly pay multiplied by two – useful for budgeting if you are paid fortnightly.
Remember that the calculator assumes a 38-hour week. If your actual hours differ, adjust the weekly hours input. The results are estimates only, not a determination of your actual pay or tax liability. For precise figures, consult your employer, a tax professional, or the reference tables on this site.
Key takeaways
- The standard conversion uses 38 hours per week × 52 weeks.
- Environmental consultant salaries vary widely; official median earnings are not published by the ABS for this occupation.
- Award rates and enterprise agreements set minimums; always check your coverage.
- Super is 12% on top of your salary, not included in the base rate.
- Use the timesheet calculator for quick estimates, but verify with official sources like the Fair Work Ombudsman and ATO.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.