What is the average physicist salary in Australia?

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average hourly total cash earnings for Professionals (which includes physicists) is $64.50 per hour as of May 2025. For a full-time physicist working 38 hours per week, this equates to about $127,452 per year before tax. However, individual salaries vary based on experience, location, and employer.

How do I calculate my annual salary from an hourly rate?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work per week, then by 52 (weeks per year). For a standard full-time role, assume 38 hours per week. For example, $64.50 per hour × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $127,452 annually. You can also find your fortnightly pay by dividing the annual figure by 26. Use our [hourly conversion](/topics/hourly-conversion) tool for quick calculations.

Does superannuation count as part of my salary?

No, superannuation is paid on top of your salary. Under the Super Guarantee, your employer must contribute 12% of your ordinary earnings into a super fund, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a physicist earning $127,452, that’s an extra $15,294.24 in super. This is not included in your take-home pay. Learn more about [super and packaging](/topics/super-and-packaging).

Physicist Salary: How to Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay in Australia

For a physicist earning $64.50 per hour (the average hourly rate for Professionals), the annual gross pay for a 38-hour week is approximately $127,452 before tax and super.

Understanding Physicist Salary in Australia

When you’re offered a job as a physicist or are negotiating a raise, you’ll often see an hourly rate. But to compare offers or plan your budget, you need to know the annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures. This guide explains how to convert your hourly rate into annual pay using a standard 38-hour week, and what to expect for tax and superannuation.

The Conversion Formula

The basic formula is simple: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks = annual gross salary. For full-time work in Australia, 38 hours per week is the standard used by the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). If you work part-time or casual, adjust the hours accordingly.

For example, the ABS reports that the average hourly total cash earnings for Professionals (including physicists) is $64.50 per hour. Using the formula:

$64.50 × 38 hours = $2,451 per week
$2,451 × 52 weeks = $127,452 per year
Fortnightly: $127,452 ÷ 26 = $4,902 per fortnight

This is your gross pay before tax and any deductions.

National Minimum Wage and Award Rates

Even if you’re a highly skilled physicist, it’s important to know the legal minimum. From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. Casual employees get a 25% loading, making it $33.05 per hour. Most physicists earn well above this, but award rates may apply if you’re covered by an enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides list minimum rates for each award.

According to the ABS, the most common method of setting pay for all employees is individual arrangement (38.5%), followed by collective agreement (34.6%). Physicists are often employed under individual contracts or enterprise agreements, so your actual rate may be higher than the award.

Tax on Your Physicist Salary

Once you have your annual gross salary, you can estimate your take-home pay using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% on the excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: 30% on the excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: 37% on the excess over $135,000
Over $190,000: 45% on the excess over $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (with reductions for low-income earners). For a physicist earning $127,452, the estimated tax and Medicare would be around $36,326, leaving a net annual income of about $91,126. Use our take-home pay calculator for a precise estimate.

Superannuation Is Paid on Top

Your employer must contribute superannuation at 12% of your ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. This is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it. For $127,452, that’s an extra $15,294.24 into your super fund. Learn more about super and packaging.

Physicist Salary by the Numbers

The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for Physicists (including Astronomers) shows that 87% work full-time, with an average of 41 hours per week. The median age is 41, and 26% are female. While the median weekly earnings for physicists are not publicly available at the 6-digit ANZSCO level, the broader Professionals category gives a reliable benchmark.

Putting It All Together

Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced physicist, understanding your pay in different timeframes helps with budgeting and negotiations. Use our the timesheet to quickly convert any hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures, with tax and super estimates. Remember, the formula assumes a consistent 38-hour week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or salary sacrifice.

Important Disclaimer

Annual pay here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same 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 is 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 here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

For more details on minimum wages, see our minimum wage page. For average pay across industries, visit average pay.