Radiologist Salary Australia 2026: Hourly, Fortnightly and Annual Pay
Based on ATO 2023–24 data, radiologists paid a salary or wage earned a median of $271,780 a year; assuming a 38-hour week that equates to about $137.50 per hour, though many work 46 hours.
Understanding Radiologist Pay in Australia
When researching a radiologist salary Australia, it is important to distinguish between the different ways pay is reported. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) publishes taxable income figures for the occupation, while state public hospital agreements set staff specialist salaries. Private practice radiologists often earn more but are not covered by awards. This guide explains how to convert these figures into an hourly rate, a fortnightly amount, and what tax and superannuation apply.
Hourly Conversion and the 38‑Hour Week
The standard assumption for full‑time work in Australia is 38 hours per week. To convert an annual salary to an hourly rate, use:
hourly rate = annual salary ÷ (38 × 52)
For example, the ATO’s median salary or wages for radiologists of $271,780 gives about $137.50 per hour. However, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia report that full‑time medical specialists average 46 hours per week. If you use 46 hours instead, the hourly rate drops to approximately $113.60. Always check the expected hours when comparing offers.
ATO Figures for Radiologists
The ATO’s latest tax‑return data (2023–24) shows:
- Average taxable income: $500,262
- Median taxable income: $430,250
- Average salary or wages: $383,218
- Median salary or wages: $271,780
These figures include all radiologists – employees, practice owners, and part‑time workers. Taxable income can include business profits and investment income, so it is not a pure salary rate. For employees, the salary or wages median is the better reference point. provides a detailed breakdown.
Public Hospital Staff Specialist Rates
Radiologists employed by public hospitals are paid under state‑specific awards or agreements. The following are current rates (as of mid‑2026):
New South Wales – Staff Specialists (State) Award (interim rates from July 2025):
- Year 1: $197,583 base, plus 17.4% special allowance = $231,962
- Senior staff specialist: $266,942 base, plus allowance = $313,390
Victoria – Medical Specialists Enterprise Agreement 2022–2026 (rates from March 2025):
- Year 1: $262,099
- Year 9: $360,392
Queensland – Medical Officers’ Certified Agreement No. 7 (rates from July 2026):
- L18 entry level: $222,059 base, plus 50% attraction and retention allowance (total $333,089 if not opting into private practice)
These are annual salaries before tax. Allowances and salary packaging can increase take‑home pay. has full tables.
Award Minimum for Private Hospital Radiologists
If a radiologist works in a private hospital or another setting covered by the Medical Practitioners Award, the minimum annual salary for a specialist is $121,535 from 1 July 2026. This is far below typical market rates, but it is the legal floor. Private imaging practices are not listed in the award, so no award minimum applies there.
Tax and Superannuation
Tax on a radiologist’s income follows the 2026–27 resident rates:
- Nil up to $18,200
- 15% from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% above $190,000
Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. For a radiologist earning the median taxable income of $430,250, the estimated tax is $159,483 and Medicare $8,605, leaving about $262,162 a year ($10,083 a fortnight). A HELP debt would add a compulsory repayment of about $43,025.
Superannuation is paid on top of salary at 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a salary of $271,780, super would be about $32,614, but the portion above $270,830 is not subject to the guarantee. High‑income earners may also face Division 293 tax (an extra 15% on concessional super contributions) when income plus super exceeds $250,000.
Comparing Offers
When evaluating a radiologist job offer, consider:
- Hourly rate – divide the annual salary by the actual hours worked per week × 52.
- Fortnightly pay – multiply the weekly rate by 2. For a $271,780 salary, weekly is about $5,226, fortnightly $10,452 before tax.
- Allowances – public hospital roles often include special allowances, on‑call payments, and salary packaging.
- Super – ensure the employer pays 12% on top of your ordinary earnings.
For more on converting hourly rates or comparing average earnings, see our average pay and job pay pages.
Key Differences from Ordinary‑Time Earnings
The ABS reports full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings of $2,083.70 per week (May 2026). A radiologist on the ATO median salary or wages of $271,780 earns about $5,226 per week – more than double the national average. However, many radiologists work longer hours and have significant business expenses that reduce taxable income. The figures here are pre‑tax and do not account for penalty rates or overtime, which are uncommon for specialists.
Disclaimer
Annual pay calculations on this site assume the same hourly rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings up to the maximum contribution base. Tax uses the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax‑free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.