Environmental Scientist Salary: Hourly, Weekly, Fortnightly and Annual Pay
Based on ABS data, the median full-time environmental scientist earns $1,953 per week before tax, which equates to about $101,556 per year assuming a 38-hour week.
Environmental Scientist Salary: From Hourly to Annual
If you are looking up an environmental scientist salary, you have come to the right place. This guide explains how to convert an hourly rate into weekly, fortnightly and annual pay using the standard 38-hour week. We also cover tax, super, casual loading and how the figures compare with the National Minimum Wage and award rates.
The Median Environmental Scientist Salary
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the median full-time earnings for environmental scientists are $1,953 per week before tax. That is about $101,556 per year if you multiply by 52 weeks. The median hourly earnings are $54 per hour. These figures come from Jobs and Skills Australia and are based on full-time non-managerial employees. They are a reliable benchmark for the occupation.
How to Convert Hourly to Annual
The formula used on this site is simple: annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52. We assume a 38-hour week, which is the standard full-time week under the Fair Work Act. For example, if your hourly rate is $54, the calculation is:
$54 × 38 × 52 = $106,704 per year
But the median weekly earnings of $1,953 suggest that the typical environmental scientist works slightly fewer than 38 hours (about 36 hours) or that the median hourly rate is derived differently. The important point is that the formula gives you a consistent way to compare offers. If you have a salary offer, divide by 52 and then by your weekly hours to find the equivalent hourly rate.
Fortnightly Pay
Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, multiply your weekly pay by 2. For the median environmental scientist, that is $1,953 × 2 = $3,906 per fortnight before tax. This is useful for budgeting and comparing with rent or loan repayments.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates (nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, 45% above) and the Medicare levy of 2%, the annual tax on $101,556 is approximately $25,500. That leaves a take-home pay of about $76,000 per year or $1,462 per week. If you have a HELP debt, compulsory repayments will reduce this further. The take-home pay page has more details.
Superannuation
Super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary by your employer. For the median environmental scientist, that adds $12,187 per year, bringing total remuneration to $113,743. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an extra cost to the employer. The maximum contribution base for 2026–27 is $270,830, so most environmental scientists will have the full 12% on their entire salary. See super and packaging for more.
National Minimum Wage and Award Rates
The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours). Casual employees get a 25% loading, making the casual minimum rate $33.05 per hour. Environmental scientists are usually covered by the Health Services Award or a professional classification, which sets minimum rates above the NMW. The median earnings of $54 per hour are well above the award minimum, reflecting the skill and demand for this role. Check the pay guides for the latest award rates.
Casual Loading
If you work as a casual environmental scientist, you are entitled to a 25% loading on the base hourly rate. This compensates for not receiving paid leave. On this site, the calculator has a checkbox to add casual loading. Never type a rate that already includes casual loading – let the calculator add it. For the median rate of $54, casual loading would give $67.50 per hour.
Comparing with Other Occupations
The median weekly earnings for all occupations are $1,852 (ABS, May 2025). Environmental scientists earn about 5% more than the all-occupations median. Their full-time share (85%) is higher than the national average (69%), and the median age is 39, similar to all occupations. These figures are from the reference tables on this site.
Limitations of the Calculator
The annual pay shown here is an estimate. It assumes the same hourly rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax uses the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.
Summary
An environmental scientist salary at the median is $1,953 per week, $3,906 per fortnight, or about $101,556 per year before tax. Using the 38-hour week conversion, the hourly equivalent is $54. After tax and Medicare, take-home is roughly $76,000 per year. Super adds another 12% on top. Use the calculator on this site to try your own numbers, and always check the relevant award or enterprise agreement for your exact entitlements.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.