Paramedic salary: what paramedics earn in Australia (gross pay, super, and tax)

What does a paramedic earn in Australia?

Paramedic salary is a question that comes up often, especially for people considering the role or negotiating pay. The answer depends on whether you look at median earnings across the profession or the minimum rates set by the modern award. Both are useful, but they tell different stories.

Median paramedic salary: well above the national line

Jobs and Skills Australia, using ABS data from May 2025, reports that full-time Ambulance Officers and Paramedics earn a median weekly wage of $2,852. That’s before tax and before any salary sacrifice. Annualised over 52 weeks, that’s about $148,300. To put that on the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352, a paramedic on the median sits at index 137. That’s significantly above the national line and well above industries like retail (index 76) or accommodation and food services (index 73). It’s closer to professional services (index 115) and mining (index 155).

The median hourly rate for paramedics is $71, compared to $47 for all occupations. And 90% of paramedics work full-time, averaging 47 hours a week – three hours more than the all-occupations average.

These figures come from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours and are published by. They represent the middle point of full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. That means they exclude part-timers, managers, and junior workers, which gives a clearer picture of typical full-time pay.

Award minimum rates: a different starting point

Not every paramedic earns the median. The legal minimum comes from the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award (MA000098), which the Fair Work Commission updated from 1 July 2026. The award sets weekly rates for ambulance officers and student paramedics. For a qualified ambulance officer in their first year, the minimum is $1,309.50 per week, or $34.46 per hour. That annualises to about $68,100 – index 63. By year three, the rate rises to $1,326.90 per week ($34.92 per hour).

Student paramedics earn less. A level 1 student in year one gets $1,179.10 per week ($31.03 per hour). Level 2 and 3 students get progressively more, up to $1,295.80 per week for a level 3 student in year three.

These award rates are the floor. Many paramedics are covered by enterprise agreements or state-based arrangements that pay more. The award also includes penalty rates for weekends, public holidays, and shift work. For example, an ambulance officer on Saturday or Sunday gets $51.69 per hour (year 1), and on public holidays $86.15 per hour. Shift allowances add $59.71 per shift for work finishing between 6pm and 8am or starting between 6pm and 6.30am.

Casual paramedics get a 25% loading on the base rate. An ambulance officer year 1 casual earns $43.08 per hour, with higher penalties on weekends and holidays. The full pay guide is available from.

Gross pay, super, and tax: what you actually get

When we talk about paramedic salary, it’s important to separate gross pay from what lands in your bank account. Gross pay is what your employer pays you before deductions. On top of that, they must pay superannuation guarantee at 12% from 1 July 2026, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a paramedic earning the median $148,300, the employer adds $17,796 into super each year. That money is preserved until retirement, but it’s part of your total remuneration.

Tax on a gross salary of $148,300 in 2026-27 (resident rates, including the tax-free threshold and Medicare levy of 2%) works out roughly as:

• Nil on the first $18,200
• 15% on the next $26,800 ($4,020)
• 30% on the next $90,000 ($27,000)
• 37% on the remaining $13,300 ($4,921)
• Plus Medicare levy 2% of $148,300 = $2,966
• Total tax and Medicare about $38,907
• Take-home pay around $109,393 per year, or $2,103 per week.

That’s before any HELP repayment, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge. If you salary sacrifice into super, your taxable income drops, and you pay less tax.

For a paramedic on the award minimum of $68,100, the tax bill is much lower: about $9,700 plus Medicare, leaving around $56,900 take-home.

How paramedic salary varies by state and industry

Paramedic pay can differ by state because of different enterprise agreements and cost-of-living adjustments. The states page on Salary Index shows that Western Australia has an index of 106.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. A paramedic in WA might earn more than one in TAS, but the median national figure already blends these differences.

The health care and social assistance industry, which includes paramedics, has an overall index of 97.8 – slightly below the national line. But paramedics themselves earn above that industry average, reflecting the specialised and demanding nature of the work.

The bottom line on paramedic salary

A paramedic salary in Australia ranges from about $68,000 at the award minimum to over $148,000 at the median. Most experienced paramedics with enterprise agreements fall somewhere in between. The job involves shift work, high stress, and physical demands, which is reflected in the pay. When you add super and consider the tax treatment, the total package is competitive with many professional roles.

For more context on how pay compares across occupations and industries, see the industries page. And if you’re negotiating a contract or checking an offer, the pay guides can help you understand award minimums and common allowances.

How the salary index works

The Salary Index compares gross annual earnings to the national line of $108,352 (index 100). A paramedic on the median of $148,300 has an index of 137. That means they earn 37% more than the typical full-time adult worker. The index is a useful benchmark, but remember it’s based on ordinary-time earnings, not total remuneration including overtime. Paramedics often work overtime and get penalties, which can push their actual pay higher. For more detail, see how the index works.