Environmental Consultant Salary: Where It Sits on the Australian Salary Index
Understand the environmental consultant salary in Australia using the Salary Index. Compare pay against national benchmarks, state variations, and industry trends.
The environmental consultant salary typically ranges from $75,000 to $135,000 annually, placing it around the national line of $108,352, but actual pay depends on experience, location, and employer.
What the environmental consultant salary means on the Salary Index
When you search for an environmental consultant salary, you are looking at a role that sits at the intersection of science, regulation, and project development. Environmental consultants advise on environmental impacts, planning approvals, contamination, and management plans for projects in mining, infrastructure, renewable energy, and government. But where does the pay actually land against the Australian average?
The Salary Index measures gross annual earnings relative to a benchmark: full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which in May 2026 was $108,352 per year (index 100). A salary of $75,000 gives an index of 69; $135,000 gives an index of 125. Most environmental consultant salaries likely fall somewhere in that band, but the exact figure depends on experience, employer, location, and the specific industry.
What the data shows
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, there are about 5,100 environmental consultants employed nationally. Three-quarters work full-time, averaging 44 hours per week. The median age is 39, and 45% are women. However, the ABS does not publish median weekly earnings for this specific 6-digit ANZSCO occupation (234312). That means we rely on indicative ranges from other sources.
A commercial source (.au) gives a 2025 indicative range of $75,000 – $135,000. This is a wide band, reflecting variation by employer, experience, and location. The site notes strong demand from infrastructure, mining, and renewable energy project approvals. That matches the industries where environmental consultants work: Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (index 114.7), Mining (index 154.7), and Public Administration and Safety.
Where the salary index helps
The [Salary Index lets you compare pay across states and industries. For example, an environmental consultant in Western Australia (state index 106.9) might earn closer to the upper end of the range, while someone in Tasmania (index 88.6) may be lower. The national line is a useful reference point.
If you are an employer or hiring manager, you can check pay guides to see how state benchmarks. The industries page shows that Professional, Scientific and Technical Services is above the national line, which may lift pay.
Awards, super, and tax
Many environmental consultants are covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020, but those in mining may fall under the Mining Industry Award [MA000011]. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides with minimum rates. From 1 July 2026, award minima rose 4.75%. Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, on top of gross pay.
Tax on an environmental consultant salary of $100,000 in 2026–27 would be roughly $22,967 plus 2% Medicare levy, leaving about $75,033 take-home. That is a resident estimate with the tax-free threshold.
Putting it together
The environmental consultant salary is not a single number. It is a range that can sit below, at, or above the national line depending on your situation. Use the Salary Index to see where your pay fits relative to the Australian average. Check the how the index works page for more detail on the calculation.
If you are comparing offers or negotiating, remember that the index is a benchmark, not a quote for a person. Actual pay depends on award classification, enterprise agreements, and experience. The indicative range from $75k to $135k gives a starting point, but always verify with current pay guides and your own circumstances.
Questions people ask
What is the average environmental consultant salary in Australia?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for this specific occupation. Industry sources suggest a typical range of $75,000 to $135,000 per year. Using the Salary Index, where 100 equals $108,352, a mid-range salary of $105,000 would sit around index 97, close to the national line.
How does the environmental consultant salary compare to the national average?
The national line on the Salary Index is $108,352 per year (index 100). An environmental consultant earning $75,000 would be at index 69, while one earning $135,000 would be at index 125. Most consultants likely fall between these points, with location and industry playing a big role. For example, those in mining (industry index 154.7) or in Western Australia (state index 106.9) may earn above the national line.
What awards cover environmental consultants in Australia?
Many environmental consultants are covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020, which sets minimum rates for professional staff. Those working directly in mining operations may fall under the Mining Industry Award [MA000011]. Always check the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides for the correct classification and current minimum rates, which increased by 4.75% from 1 July 2026.