Meteorologist salary in Australia: what to expect when comparing job offers

Understanding the meteorologist role

Meteorologists study the physics and dynamics of the atmosphere to forecast weather and understand long-term climate trends. In Australia, they work across the public sector (Bureau of Meteorology), private weather consultancies, media, mining, and research institutions. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, there are about 710 employed meteorologists, with 77% working full-time and a median age of 42. The female share is 33%.

When you’re reading a job ad for a meteorologist, the salary figure might be listed as an annual package, an hourly rate, or a range. To make sense of it, you need to know where that figure sits against the national line. That’s where the Salary Index comes in: it takes the yearly gross salary, divides it by the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings ($108,352 as of May 2026), and multiplies by 100. An index of 100 means the pay matches the national average; above 100 means above average, below 100 means below.

Where meteorologist salaries come from

Meteorologist pay in Australia is shaped by two main sources: enterprise agreements and modern awards.

Bureau of Meteorology Enterprise Agreement 2024

The largest employer of meteorologists is the Bureau of Meteorology. The Bureau of Meteorology Enterprise Agreement 2024 (approved by the Fair Work Commission, expiring 28 February 2027) sets the pay rates, allowances, and conditions for meteorologists in the public sector. While the exact salary bands are not publicly summarised in the search results, enterprise agreements for professional scientists typically offer salaries well above the national minimum wage. Given that the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry index is 114.7, it’s reasonable to expect public-sector meteorologist salaries to sit at or above the national index of 100.

Professional Employees Award

Private-sector meteorologists may be covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020, which sets minimum salaries for science professionals. The award includes classifications for various levels of experience and responsibility. From 1 July 2026, award minima rose by 4.75% following the Annual Wage Review. The entry-level award floor for a professional employee is around $25.74 per hour (index 48.2), but experienced meteorologists would be classified at higher levels. The award is a safety net; actual salaries are often negotiated above the minimum.

What the data shows (or doesn’t)

Jobs and Skills Australia lists median weekly earnings for meteorologists as N/A. This is likely due to the small occupation size (710 people) and the dominance of a single employer (the Bureau). The 2021 Census data used by Jobs and Skills Australia does not provide a reliable median. That means you cannot rely on a single “average meteorologist salary” figure. Instead, you need to look at the specific employer and the applicable agreement or award.

For public-sector roles, the enterprise agreement is your best guide. For private-sector roles, ask which award classification applies and what the current minimum is. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database (updated 1 October 2026) contains the latest minimum rates for the Professional Employees Award, including wage-related allowances and penalty rates.

Comparing offers using the salary index

Suppose you see a job ad offering $120,000 per year for a meteorologist. Compare it to the national line:

• National full-time adult ordinary-time earnings: $108,352 (index 100)
• Your offer: $120,000
• Index = (120,000 / 108,352) × 100 ≈ 110.7

That means the offer is about 11% above the national average. Now check the industry benchmark: Professional, Scientific and Technical Services has an index of 114.7. So an index of 110.7 is slightly below that industry average, but still strong.

If the ad lists an hourly rate, say $55 per hour, annualise it (assuming 38 hours per week, 52 weeks): $55 × 38 × 52 = $108,680, index 100.3 – right on the national line.

Remember that these are gross figures before tax. For a resident earning $120,000 in 2026–27, the estimated take-home pay (excluding Medicare levy surcharge, HELP, etc.) would be roughly $88,000 after tax and the 2% Medicare levy. Use the how the index works page for more details on the calculation.

State and industry context

Where you work matters. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest index at 109.9 (annualised $119,090), while Tasmania is lowest at 88.6 ($96,008). Meteorologists are concentrated in Victoria (44.3%) and New South Wales (17.7%), according to Jobs and Skills Australia. If you’re comparing a job in Melbourne versus one in Hobart, the cost of living and state index can help you weigh the offer.

Industry also plays a role. Meteorologists in mining (index 154.7) or professional services (index 114.7) may earn more than those in education (index 105.5) or public administration. A job at the Bureau of Meteorology falls under Commonwealth employment, which is not separately indexed but likely aligns with the professional services benchmark.

Reading a job ad for a meteorologist

When you see a job ad, look for these clues:

• Employer: Is it the Bureau of Meteorology, a university, a mining company, or a media outlet? Each has a different pay structure.
• Salary range or band: If it says “$90,000 – $130,000”, use the midpoint or the figure that matches your experience.
• Award or agreement reference: Some ads mention “under the Professional Employees Award” or “Bureau of Meteorology Enterprise Agreement”. That tells you the minimum floor.
• Superannuation: The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, so a $120,000 salary plus $14,400 super gives a total package of $134,400. The salary index is based on ordinary-time earnings, not the total package.
• Allowances: Shift work or penalty rates**: Meteorologists may work irregular hours for weather monitoring. The enterprise agreement may include shift loadings. The Modern Awards Pay Database includes penalty rates for some awards.

If the ad doesn’t mention salary, you can ask the recruiter: “What is the classification level under the applicable agreement or award?” That’s a fair question.

Final thoughts

Meteorologist salary in Australia is not a one-size-fits-all number. The lack of published median earnings means you have to do a little detective work. Use the Salary Index to benchmark any offer against the national line, check the relevant enterprise agreement or award, and consider the state and industry context. The Bureau of Meteorology Enterprise Agreement 2024 is the key document for public-sector roles, while the Professional Employees Award sets the floor for private-sector positions. With the index, you can compare apples with apples – even when the data is thin.