Pathologist Salary in Australia: State and Industry Differences

Pathologist Salary in Australia: State and Industry Differences

When searching for a pathologist salary in Australia, the first thing to know is that the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for this specific occupation. Pathologists are classified under ANZSCO 253915 as Other Medical Practitioners, and the ABS suppresses earnings data for 6-digit occupations due to sample size. That means any precise figure you see online is likely an estimate or from a private survey. This guide uses public data from the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, and Jobs and Skills Australia to explain what is known about pathologist pay, with a focus on state and industry differences.

What the Data Shows

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, there are about 2,800 pathologists employed nationally. The occupation is predominantly female (64%) with a median age of 43. Two-thirds work full-time, averaging 44 hours per week. Employment is heavily concentrated in New South Wales (39.1%) and Victoria (23.7%). The industry is almost entirely Health Care and Social Assistance.

Because the ABS does not provide a median wage, we cannot calculate a precise salary index for pathologists. However, we can use the national benchmarks to understand where a pathologist’s pay likely sits. The full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark is $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352 (index 100). The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised $52,255 (index 48.2). Pathologists are medical specialists, so their pay is well above the minimum wage and likely above the Health Care industry average (index 97.8).

Award Coverage

Pathologists are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award [MA000031]. This award sets minimum rates for medical practitioners, including specialists. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a pay guide for this award, but the specific classification for pathologists (likely a specialist medical practitioner level) is not extracted in the search results. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database contains the detailed classification rates, updated to 1 October 2026. These award rates are minimums; many pathologists in public hospitals or private practice earn above award under enterprise agreements or individual contracts.

State Differences

The salary index for each state reflects the overall earnings of all full-time adult workers in that state, not pathologists specifically. However, it gives a sense of regional pay levels. For example:

• New South Wales: index 101.2 (annualised $109,658)
• Victoria: index 98.0 ($106,137)
• Queensland: index 97.9 ($106,064)
• Western Australia: index 106.9 ($115,825)
• Australian Capital Territory: index 109.9 ($119,090)
• Tasmania: index 88.6 ($96,008)

Pathologists are most common in NSW and VIC, where the state indices are close to the national average. WA and ACT have higher overall earnings, which may reflect higher pay for medical specialists in those states, but no occupation-specific data is available. The states page on Salary Index provides more detail on how each state compares.

Industry Differences

The Health Care and Social Assistance industry has a salary index of 97.8, slightly below the national average of 100. This industry includes many lower-paid roles such as aged care workers and personal carers, which drag down the average. Pathologists, as highly skilled medical specialists, are likely to earn significantly more than the industry average. Other industries with higher indices include Mining (154.7) and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (114.7). The industries page shows the full range.

How the Salary Index Works

The Salary Index compares a worker’s yearly gross pay to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. For example, if a pathologist earns $150,000 per year, their index would be (150,000 / 108,352) × 100 = 138.4. This means they earn 38.4% above the national average. You can learn more about how the index works.

Superannuation and Tax

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on earnings up to $270,830. For a pathologist earning $150,000, that adds $18,000 in super. Tax for 2026–27 (resident, excluding Medicare) is progressive: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. Take-home pay estimates can be made using the topics guide.

Conclusion

While a precise pathologist salary figure is not publicly available from the ABS or Fair Work sources, the occupation is well-compensated relative to the national minimum wage and the Health Care industry average. State differences in overall earnings suggest pathologists in WA and ACT may earn more, but the majority work in NSW and VIC. For the most accurate pay information, consult the Medical Practitioners Award pay guide or your enterprise agreement. Salary Index provides the tools to compare any salary against the national line.