Dermatologist salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index

What is a dermatologist salary in Australia?

A dermatologist is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats disorders of the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes. In Australia, dermatologists are classified under ANZSCO 253911 and are part of the broader group of Other Medical Practitioners. Because it is a niche specialty, the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for dermatologists – the sample is too small to be statistically reliable. That means anyone searching for a simple "dermatologist salary" figure needs to look at award minimums, industry benchmarks, and the salary index to understand where this profession sits.

The award floor for dermatologists

The Medical Practitioners Award 2020, which covers all medical practitioners in Australia, sets minimum salaries for specialists. As of 1 July 2026, the minimum annual salary for a Specialist is $121,535. For a Senior Specialist, the minimum ranges from $129,953 at pay point 1 up to $150,985 at pay point 5. These rates are the legal minimum – no dermatologist can be paid less than this if covered by the award. However, many dermatologists work in private practice or under enterprise agreements that pay substantially more.

To put that in context, the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark (the salary index line of 100) is $108,352 per year. The award minimum for a specialist dermatologist of $121,535 gives an index of about 112 – meaning it is 12% above the national line. Even at the lowest award classification, a dermatologist's salary sits above the average Australian full-time worker.

Where dermatologists work and how it affects pay

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, dermatologists work almost exclusively in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry. That industry has a salary index of 97.8 – slightly below the national average. But dermatologists are among the higher-paid roles within that industry. The same source reports that dermatologists work an average of 46 hours per week full-time, compared to 44 hours for all occupations. The median age is 46, and 56% of dermatologists are female.

State-by-state indices also matter. A dermatologist working in the ACT (index 109.9) or Western Australia (106.9) may have higher typical earnings than one in Tasmania (88.6) or South Australia (94.6). But because dermatologists are in high demand, many can choose locations that offer better remuneration.

How the salary index works for dermatologists

The Salary Index measures where a gross yearly salary sits against the national line of 100. For example, if a dermatologist earns $180,000 per year, the index is 180,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100 = 166. That would be well above average. The index is a benchmark, not a quote for a specific job offer. It helps you compare across occupations and industries.

For dermatologists, the lack of a published median means you cannot point to a single index number for the whole profession. But you can use the award minimums as a starting point. The specialist minimum index of 112 is a floor; most practising dermatologists will have an index well above that.

Superannuation and tax considerations

From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% on top of salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So a dermatologist earning $200,000 would receive $24,000 in super contributions. For tax purposes, the 2026–27 resident rates apply: 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. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. These are before-tax figures; take-home pay depends on individual circumstances.

Comparing dermatologist salary to other medical roles

Within the Medical Practitioners Award, a Registrar (a doctor in training) earns between $80,248 and $90,018 per year. A Career Medical Practitioner starts at $105,951. A Senior Specialist at the top pay point earns $150,985. Dermatologists who have completed their fellowship and are practising as specialists typically earn more than registrars but may earn less than some surgical specialties. The pay guides on this site break down award rates for many medical classifications.

What the data doesn't tell you

The biggest caveat is that award minimums are not actual earnings. Many dermatologists work in private practice, where they bill patients or Medicare and keep a portion of the fee. In those settings, annual incomes can range from $200,000 to over $500,000 depending on patient volume, location, and subspecialty (e.g., cosmetic dermatology, skin cancer surgery). The salary index for such incomes would be 185 to 461 – far above the national line.

Another factor is that the ABS does not publish median earnings for 6-digit occupations like dermatologists. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile explicitly states "median weekly earnings N/A" because of high relative standard error. So any figure you see online claiming to be the average dermatologist salary should be treated with caution unless it comes from a reliable survey of the profession.

Using the salary index to understand dermatologist pay

If you are a dermatologist or considering the specialty, the industries page can help you compare health care earnings to other sectors. The states page shows how location affects the benchmark. And the Salary Index explains the calculation in detail.

In summary, the dermatologist salary in Australia sits above the national line at least 12% above the line at award minimums, but actual earnings are often much higher. The profession offers strong remuneration, a high index, and a clear career path from registrar to senior specialist.