Optometrist Salary in Australia: Hourly to Annual Conversion Guide
Based on ATO 2023–24 data, the median optometrist salary or wages was $92,133, which equates to roughly $46.60 per hour for a 38-hour week.
Understanding the Optometrist Salary in Australia
If you're an optometrist or considering the profession, knowing how to convert an hourly rate to an annual salary is essential. This guide uses the standard 38-hour week and 52-week year to help you understand the numbers. We'll draw on the latest data from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Fair Work Ombudsman to give you a clear picture of the optometrist salary landscape.
How the Hourly to Annual Conversion Works
The basic formula is straightforward: annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For a full-time employee working 38 hours each week, this becomes hourly rate × 38 × 52. This calculation assumes the same rate every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. It's a starting point for comparing offers or understanding your pay.
For example, if you're offered $50 per hour, your annual gross would be $50 × 38 × 52 = $98,800. If you work part-time or have a casual loading, adjust accordingly. The the timesheet on this site lets you type a base hourly rate and optionally add 25% casual loading on top—never enter a rate that already includes loading.
Optometrist Salary Data from the ATO
The ATO's 2023–24 tax statistics provide the most reliable snapshot of optometrist salary in Australia. For occupation code 251411, 5,540 optometrists reported an average taxable income of $107,824 and a median of $100,818. Among those paid a salary or wage, the median was $92,133.
To put that in hourly terms: the median salary or wages of $92,133 divided by 38 hours and 52 weeks gives about $46.60 per hour. The average taxable income of $107,824 equates to roughly $54.55 per hour. Remember, these figures include part-time workers and practice owners, so they aren't a strict full-time rate.
Award Coverage and Minimum Rates
Unlike many professions, optometrists are not explicitly named in a modern award. The Health Professionals and Support Services Award [MA000027] covers health care employers and lists orthoptists but not optometrists. However, the award does allow for unlisted health professions, so an employed optometrist may still be covered. If you're unsure, ask the Fair Work Ombudsman.
From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. Award minimum wages increased by 4.75% from that date. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour. These are the legal floors; optometrists typically earn well above them.
Tax and Super Considerations
Once you have your annual gross, you can estimate tax using the 2026–27 resident rates: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy is generally 2%. For the median optometrist salary or wages of $92,133, income tax is about $18,160 and Medicare $1,843, leaving $72,130 per year, or $2,774 per fortnight.
Superannuation is paid on top at 12% of ordinary earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So on $92,133, super adds $11,056 per year. This is not included in the annual gross figure.
For more detailed breakdowns, see the pay guides for award-specific rates and the hourly conversion page for other professions.
Putting It All Together
Whether you're negotiating a job offer or checking your payslip, converting an hourly rate to an annual optometrist salary using the 38-hour week and 52-week year gives you a clear benchmark. The ATO data shows that most employed optometrists earn between $92,000 and $108,000 annually. Use the the timesheet to run your own numbers, and always check with the Fair Work Ombudsman if you're unsure about award coverage.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.