Medical Imaging Salary in Australia: Where It Sits on the National Pay Index

What Is a Medical Imaging Salary?

When people ask about a medical imaging salary, they usually want to know what a diagnostic radiographer, sonographer, nuclear medicine technologist, or radiation therapist earns in Australia. These roles fall under the ANZSCO group 2512 – Medical Imaging Professionals. The pay can vary by state, experience, and whether you work in public health or private practice. This article explains where the typical medical imaging salary sits on the Australian salary index, using the most recent public data from Jobs and Skills Australia and the Fair Work Commission.

Where the Medical Imaging Salary Sits on the Index

The national salary index benchmark is 100, which equals $2,083.70 per week or $108,352 per year (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for Medical Imaging Professionals is $2,360. That works out to an annualised figure of about $122,720 and a salary index of 113. In plain terms, the typical medical imaging professional earns 13% more than the average full-time worker.

For context, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week (index 48.2). The medical imaging median hourly rate of $60 is more than double the minimum. Even the lowest award classification for a health professional under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award is well above the minimum, though still below the median.

Award Coverage and Minimum Rates

Most medical imaging professionals are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). The Fair Work Commission updated minimum rates from 1 October 2026 as part of a gender undervaluation review. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides that list the minimum hourly rates for each classification level. For example, a newly qualified radiographer might start at a level 1 or 2 rate, while a senior sonographer could be at a higher level. These award rates are the legal floor; many employers pay above award, especially in private radiology practices or in states with higher cost of living.

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum award rate. Part-time workers are paid the same hourly rate as full-time employees but work fewer hours. The award also includes allowances for on-call, shift work, and weekend penalties.

State and Industry Variations

Your actual medical imaging salary can differ depending on where you work. The salary index for each state shows how average earnings compare to the national line:

• 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)

Medical imaging professionals in the ACT and WA often earn above the national median, while those in Tasmania and South Australia may earn below it. The industry itself – Health Care and Social Assistance – has an overall index of 97.8, slightly below the national average, but medical imaging professionals sit well above that because they are a specialised group.

Superannuation and Tax Considerations

From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% on top of your ordinary-time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So a medical imaging professional earning $122,720 would have an additional $14,726 paid into super each year, making total remuneration about $137,446.

Income tax for 2026–27 (resident, excluding Medicare) is:

• 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. A single person earning the median medical imaging salary of $122,720 would pay roughly $27,667 in tax plus $2,454 Medicare levy, leaving a take-home of about $92,599 per year (before any HELP repayments or salary sacrifice).

How the Salary Index Works

The Salary Index is a simple way to compare any pay figure to the national line. You take the yearly gross wage (including super but excluding casual loading but not including super), divide by $108,352, and multiply by 100. A figure of 100 means you earn exactly the national average. A figure of 113 means you earn 13% more. The index is a benchmark, not a quote for a specific job offer. For more on how we calculate it, see how the index works.

Where to Find Current Pay Information

For the most up-to-date award rates, check the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman. The Health Professionals and Support Services Award pay guide includes all minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates. If you work in a different state, you can also look at states for regional index comparisons. The industries page shows how health care and social assistance compares to other sectors.

Key Takeaways

• The median medical imaging salary of $2,360 per week gives an index of 113, well above the national average.
• Award minimums are lower, but many professionals earn above award.
• State and experience play a big role in actual pay.
• Superannuation at 12% adds significantly to total remuneration.
• Use the salary index to compare any offer to the national line.

For more topics related to pay in Australia, visit our topics page.