Laboratory Technician Salary in Australia: Where It Sits on the Salary Index

What is a laboratory technician salary in Australia?

If you're looking for a laboratory technician salary in Australia, the short answer is: it depends. There is no single published figure from the Australian Bureau of Statistics or Fair Work Ombudsman that covers all laboratory technicians. Instead, pay is determined by the award that applies, your level of qualification, the industry you work in, and where you live.

To make sense of where a laboratory technician salary sits, we use the Salary Index. The index compares your gross annual salary to the national line of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. As of May 2026, that line is $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year (index 100). If your salary is $80,000, your index is 73.8 – meaning you earn about 74% of the national average. The index makes it easy to see if you're above or below the middle.

Where does a laboratory technician salary fall on the index?

Based on available data from the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides and ABS earnings reports, a laboratory technician salary typically ranges from around $55,000 to $85,000 per year. That puts the index between 50 and 78. Entry-level technicians might start near the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (index 48.2), while experienced technicians in high-paying industries can earn $100,000 or more (index above 92).

For context, the national median weekly earnings for all employees is $1,436 (index 69), and for Professionals it's $64.50 per hour (roughly $125,000 annualised if full-time, index 115). Laboratory technicians are often classified as Professionals or Technicians, so their pay can sit anywhere between these two benchmarks.

Which award covers laboratory technicians?

Most laboratory technicians are covered by one of two modern awards:

• Professional Employees Award [MA000065] – for technicians in scientific, engineering, or technical roles.
• Health Professionals and Support Services Award [MA000027] – for technicians in health and medical laboratories.

Both awards set minimum pay rates, allowances, and penalty rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for each award. From 1 July 2026, award minimum rates rose by 4.75% following the Annual Wage Review. Some classifications also saw changes from 1 October 2026 due to gender-based undervaluation reviews.

It's important to check which award applies to your specific role. If you work under an enterprise agreement, your pay may be higher than the award minimum.

How industry and location affect laboratory technician salary

Industry makes a big difference. According to the ABS, the mining industry has a salary index of 154.7, while health care and social assistance is 97.8. A laboratory technician in a mining lab will likely earn more than one in a hospital or university lab. Similarly, professional, scientific and technical services have an index of 114.7.

Location also matters. The states page shows that Western Australia has an index of 106.9 and the ACT 109.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. A laboratory technician in Perth or Canberra can expect higher pay than one in Hobart, even for the same role.

Example: calculating the index for a laboratory technician

Let's say you work as a laboratory technician in a private pathology lab in Sydney, earning $75,000 per year. Your salary index is:

$75,000 ÷ $108,352 × 100 = 69.2

That means your pay is about 69% of the national full-time adult average. If you were in a mining lab in WA earning $95,000, your index would be 87.7 – much closer to the national line.

What about take-home pay?

Your gross salary is before tax and super. For a $75,000 salary in 2026–27, your estimated tax (including 2% Medicare levy) would be about $14,000, leaving you with around $61,000 take-home. Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, so your employer pays an extra $9,000 into your super fund.

How to find your exact laboratory technician salary

Because there is no single published figure, the best way to find your market rate is to:

• Check the relevant award pay guide on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
• Look at job advertisements for similar roles in your area.
• Use the Salary Index to compare your pay to national benchmarks.

Remember, the index is a tool for comparison, not a guarantee of what you should earn. But it gives you a clear picture of where your laboratory technician salary sits against the national line.

Summary

A laboratory technician salary in Australia is typically between $55,000 and $85,000, with an index of 50 to 78. The exact figure depends on your award classification, industry, and location. Use the Salary Index to see where your pay stands, and check the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides for minimum rates.