Dermal therapist salary: state and industry differences in Australia
What does a dermal therapist earn in Australia? We compare state and industry pay using award rates and industry surveys, with the Salary Index benchmark.
A typical dermal therapist salary sits below the national line (index 100), though experienced clinicians in medical settings can reach above-average earnings.
What is a dermal therapist salary?
A dermal therapist salary in Australia depends on qualifications, experience, and where you work. The occupation covers non-invasive skin treatments such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser hair reduction, as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Pay can vary widely between a beauty salon and a medical clinic, and between states.
To make sense of these differences, the Salary Index uses a benchmark of 100, which equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 a year (from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A dermal therapist earning $38 an hour full-time (about $79,000 a year) would have an index around 73 – below the national line. But experienced clinicians in medical settings can earn $50 an hour or more, pushing their index above 96.
State differences in dermal therapist pay
Where you work affects your take-home pay. The Salary Index shows state benchmarks based on average earnings:
- ACT – index 109.9 (annualised $119,090)
- WA – index 106.9 ($115,825)
- NSW – index 101.2 ($109,658)
- VIC – index 98.0 ($106,137)
- QLD – index 97.9 ($106,064)
- NT – index 95.2 ($103,173)
- SA – index 94.6 ($102,450)
- TAS – index 88.6 ($96,008)
A dermal therapist in Tasmania, where the overall earnings benchmark is lower, may find award rates and market rates also lower than in the ACT or Western Australia. However, because dermal therapy is a specialised field, individual negotiation and the type of employer matter more than the state average. The states page has more detail on how each state compares.
Industry differences: beauty vs medical settings
The industry you work in makes a big difference. The ASDC’s 2022 research found that dermal clinicians in medical settings earned higher hourly rates than those in beauty salons. This matches the broader pattern: the Salary Index for health care and social assistance is 97.8, while retail trade (which includes many beauty salons) is only 75.9. Professional, scientific and technical services – which covers some medical clinics – sits at 114.7.
A dermal therapist working in a dermatologist’s clinic or a medical spa is likely to be classified under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 if they hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. That award has higher minimum rates than the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010, which typically applies to diploma-qualified therapists in beauty settings. The industries page breaks down these benchmarks.
Award rates and the gender undervaluation decision
Modern awards set minimum wages for dermal therapists. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database includes the latest rates, updated after the 2026 Annual Wage Review and the gender undervaluation decision that increased pay for health professional employees from 1 October 2026.
Under the Health Professionals Award, an entry-level dermal clinician (Level 1) might earn around $26–$28 an hour, while a more experienced clinician (Level 3 or 4) could earn $35–$40. The Hair and Beauty Award tops out at Level 6 for a diploma-qualified beauty therapist, with rates around $28–$30 an hour. Many employers pay above award, especially for experienced staff.
How the Salary Index helps compare
The how the index works page explains the calculation: your yearly gross salary divided by the national line ($108,352) times 100. For a dermal therapist earning $79,000 a year, the index is 73. That tells you the role pays about 27% below the average full-time worker. But if you earn $50 an hour in a medical clinic ($104,000 a year), your index rises to 96 – close to the national line.
Superannuation and tax considerations
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of your salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a dermal therapist earning $79,000, that’s an extra $9,480 into super. Tax for 2026–27 (resident, with tax-free threshold) starts at nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, plus a 2% Medicare levy. A single person earning $79,000 would take home about $60,000 after tax and Medicare.
Where to find more
For award-specific pay rates, check the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides or the Fair Work Commission database. The topics page covers related roles like beauty therapist and laser clinician. If you’re negotiating a salary, the ASDC’s guidance on is a useful starting point, though the data is from 2022.
Summary
A dermal therapist salary in Australia ranges from about $38 an hour on average, with experienced clinicians in medical settings reaching $50+. State and industry differences are key: higher-paying states like WA and ACT, and medical settings, push pay closer to the national line. Use the Salary Index to see where any offer sits relative to the average Australian worker.
Questions people ask
What is the average dermal therapist salary in Australia?
According to research by the Australian Society of Dermal Clinicians, the average hourly rate in 2022 was $38 per hour. That works out to roughly $79,000 a year for full-time work, which sits below the national line of $108,352 (index 100). Experienced clinicians in medical settings can earn $40–$50+ per hour, pushing their salary closer to or above the national average.
Which award covers dermal therapists?
It depends on qualifications and duties. Dermal therapists with a diploma in beauty therapy are often covered by the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010. Those with a bachelor’s degree or postgraduate qualification in dermal therapy may fall under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. Some workplaces have enterprise agreements. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database has the latest minimum rates, including changes from the gender undervaluation review effective 1 October 2026.
How does location affect a dermal therapist’s pay?
State differences matter. Using the Salary Index, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in the ACT are 9.9% above the national line (index 109.9), while Tasmania is 11.4% below (index 88.6). Dermal therapists in higher-index states like Western Australia (106.9) or New South Wales (101.2) may earn more than those in lower-index states, though local award rates and market demand also play a role.