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Data Scientist Salary Australia: How State and Industry Shape Your Pay
Wondering about data scientist salary Australia? We explain how state and industry differences affect pay, using the national salary index and ABS data.
A data scientist salary in Australia typically sits above the national line, likely around index 110–120, but no precise figure is publicly available from official sources.
What is a data scientist salary in Australia?
If you’re looking for a single number for a data scientist salary Australia, you won’t find it in any official government publication. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) doesn’t break down earnings to that level of occupation. But you can get a good picture by looking at the broader occupation group and the industries and states where data scientists work.
Data scientists are classified under the Professionals occupation group in ABS data. In August 2025, the median weekly earnings for Professionals was $1,900 per week, with median hourly earnings of $59.50. That’s well above the national median for all employees ($1,425 per week) and above the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings line of $2,083.70 per week (the national index of 100).
Using the Salary Index, we can compare any pay figure to the national line. The index is your yearly gross divided by the national line ($108,352 as of May 2026) times 100. A data scientist earning $1,900 per week would annualise to about $98,800, giving an index of roughly 91. But that’s just the median for all Professionals — many data scientists earn more, especially in high-paying industries.
Industry differences matter
The industry you work in has a big effect on your pay. The ABS reports median weekly earnings by industry. For Professional, Scientific and Technical Services — the industry that employs most data scientists — the median was $1,897 per week in August 2025. That gives an industry index of 114.7, meaning the typical worker in that industry earns about 15% above the national line.
Other industries that hire data scientists include:
- Mining (index 154.7) — median $2,761 per week
- Financial and Insurance Services (index 114.7) — median $2,000 per week
- Information Media and Telecommunications (index 90.4) — median $1,567 per week
So a data scientist in mining or finance could earn significantly more than one in tech or media. The industries page has more detail on how different sectors compare.
State-by-state differences
Where you live also affects your pay. The ABS publishes median weekly earnings by state and territory. The highest is the Australian Capital Territory at $1,600 per week (index 109.9), followed by Western Australia at $1,500 (index 106.9). New South Wales is at $1,464 (index 101.2), while Victoria ($1,380, index 98.0) and Queensland ($1,439, index 97.9) are slightly below the national line. Tasmania and South Australia are the lowest at $1,300 each (index 88.6 and 94.6).
For a data scientist, the state effect can be substantial. A role in Canberra or Perth might pay 10–20% more than a similar role in Hobart or Adelaide. But remember, these are medians for all workers — data scientists, being professionals, tend to earn above the state median.
Check the states page for a full breakdown of state indices.
Awards and minimums
Data scientists are not covered by a specific modern award. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database does not list “data scientist” as a classification. Most data scientists are either covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020 (which sets minimum rates for professional engineers, scientists, and IT professionals) or by an enterprise agreement or individual contract.
If you’re starting out, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, annualised $52,255 (index 48.2). But a data scientist would almost always earn well above that. The entry-level award floor for professionals is around $25.74 per hour, but actual graduate salaries are much higher.
How to use the salary index for data scientist roles
When you see a salary offer or a job ad for a data scientist, you can compare it to the national line. For example:
- A $120,000 salary gives an index of 110.8 (120,000 / 108,352 × 100).
- A $150,000 salary gives an index of 138.4.
- A $90,000 salary gives an index of 83.1.
These indices help you see how a role stacks up against the average full-time worker. The how the index works page explains the calculation in more detail.
Take-home pay estimates
If you’re a resident earning $120,000 in 2026–27, your estimated take-home pay (after tax and Medicare levy) would be about $88,000. That’s using the tax-free threshold, 30% marginal rate up to $135,000, and a 2% Medicare levy. Superannuation at 12% is on top of your salary, so your total remuneration package is higher.
For more on how tax and super affect your pay, see the topics page.
The bottom line
There is no official “data scientist salary Australia” figure, but you can estimate it using ABS data for Professionals and the industry and state indices. A typical data scientist likely earns between index 100 and 120, with higher pay in mining, finance, and in Canberra or Perth. Use the pay guides and Salary Index to compare any offer to the national line.
Questions people ask
How does a data scientist salary compare to the national average?
Based on ABS data for Professionals (the broad group data scientists fall under), the median weekly earnings were $1,900 in August 2025, well above the national median of $1,425. Using the Salary Index, where 100 is the national line of $108,352 per year, a data scientist earning $1,900 per week annualises to about $98,800, which gives an index of roughly 91. However, many data scientists earn more, especially in high-paying industries like professional services (index 114.7) or mining (index 154.7). Without a specific ABS classification, it's safest to say a typical data scientist salary sits above the national line, likely between index 100 and 120.
Which states pay data scientists the most?
State indices from the ABS show that the Australian Capital Territory (index 109.9) and Western Australia (106.9) have the highest median earnings overall. New South Wales (101.2) is slightly above the national line, while Victoria (98.0) and Queensland (97.9) are just below. Tasmania (88.6) and South Australia (94.6) are lower. Data scientists in Canberra or Perth can expect higher pay, partly due to the concentration of government and mining sector jobs. However, individual salaries depend on the employer and industry.
Are data scientists covered by a modern award?
Data scientists are not specifically named in any modern award. They are typically classified as professional employees under awards like the Professional Employees Award 2020, or they may be covered by an enterprise agreement or individual contract. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database does not list 'data scientist' as a classification. This means pay is usually set by negotiation or agreement, not by a minimum award rate. However, the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026) and the super guarantee (12%) still apply.