Radiographer Salary Guide: Hourly Rates, Annual Pay, and Tax in Australia (2026)
A radiographer's minimum hourly rate is set by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award; for a full-time 38-hour week, annual gross pay equals hourly rate × 38 × 52.
Understanding the Radiographer Salary in Australia
If you're a radiographer or considering the profession, knowing how your hourly rate translates into annual pay, fortnightly income, and after-tax take-home is essential. This guide uses official sources from the Fair Work Ombudsman, Fair Work Commission, and the Australian Taxation Office to explain the key components of a radiographer salary.
Award Coverage and Minimum Rates
Radiographers are typically covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award [MA000027]. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for this award, which set minimum hourly rates for different classification levels. These rates are updated annually following the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review. You can find the latest pay guide on the pay guides page.
The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database also contains the calculated minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates for this award. The 2026 data, operative from 1 July 2026, is available from the reference tables section. Always check the specific award classification that applies to your role, as rates vary with experience and responsibilities.
National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates
From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the minimum to $33.05 per hour. However, award rates for radiographers are generally higher than the national minimum. The award sets a minimum that employers must pay, but many radiographers earn above the award due to experience, location, or enterprise agreements.
Casual Loading and Its Effect on Salary
If you work as a casual radiographer, your hourly rate includes a 25% casual loading in lieu of paid leave entitlements. When calculating your annual radiographer salary, it's important to note whether the quoted rate already includes this loading. On this site, the timesheet allows you to enter a base hourly rate and then check a box to add 25% casual loading on top. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading into the base field.
Annual Salary Calculation from Hourly Rate
The standard formula for converting an hourly rate to annual gross pay is:
Hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks
For a full-time radiographer working 38 hours per week, this becomes:
Hourly rate × 38 × 52
For example, if your award rate is $35.00 per hour:
- Annual gross = $35.00 × 38 × 52 = $69,160
- Fortnightly gross = $69,160 ÷ 26 = $2,660
This calculation assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. It's a baseline estimate.
Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting
Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your gross fortnightly pay, multiply your weekly pay by 2. Using the example above:
- Weekly pay = $35.00 × 38 = $1,330
- Fortnightly pay = $1,330 × 2 = $2,660
Knowing your fortnightly amount helps with budgeting and comparing job offers.
Tax and Medicare Levy
Your radiographer salary is subject to income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are:
- 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 a Medicare levy of 2% (generally). The tax-free threshold is included. Use the take-home pay tool to estimate your net income after tax and Medicare.
Superannuation Paid on Top
Superannuation is an additional 12% of your ordinary time earnings, paid by your employer into a super fund. It is not deducted from your salary. The maximum contribution base for the super guarantee is $270,830 per year. So if your annual gross salary is $69,160, your employer must contribute $8,299.20 extra. This is not included in the salary figure you see in job ads or award rates. Learn more about super and packaging.
Differences in Ordinary-Time Earnings
While award minimums set a floor, actual radiographer salary levels can vary. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports average weekly earnings for full-time adult ordinary time employees at $2,083.70 per week (May 2026). This is significantly higher than the award minimum, reflecting that many professionals earn above the base rate. Factors such as public vs private sector, location, and experience all influence your actual pay.
Using the Timesheet Calculator
To quickly estimate your annual, fortnightly, and take-home pay, use the timesheet. Enter your base hourly rate (without casual loading), select your hours per week (default 38), and the tool will compute gross annual, fortnightly, and weekly amounts. You can also add casual loading via the checkbox. The results include an estimate of tax and super, based on the 2026–27 rates.
Summary
A radiographer's salary starts with the award minimum hourly rate, but many earn more. Use the formula hourly × 38 × 52 to get annual gross. Remember that super is paid on top, and tax is deducted. The Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission provide authoritative data on award rates. For personalised estimates, the tools on this site use the latest official figures from the ATO and Fair Work.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.