Pharmacy salary in Australia: where it sits on the salary index

Pharmacy salary and the Australian salary index

When people ask about a pharmacy salary in Australia, they usually want to know how much a pharmacist earns and whether that pay stacks up against other jobs. The salary index is a simple way to see that: it compares gross annual earnings to the national line of 100, which represents full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. For 2026, that line is $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 a year. Anything above 100 is above average; below 100 is below average.

According to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (via Jobs and Skills Australia), the median full-time weekly earnings for a Pharmacist (ANZSCO 2515) is $1,956. That works out to an annual salary of about $101,712 and a salary index of roughly 94. So the typical pharmacy salary sits just under the national line. It’s higher than the national minimum wage (index 48) and well above the retail trade industry average (index 75.9), but a bit lower than the health care and social assistance industry average (index 97.8).

Where the pharmacy salary comes from

The $1,956 figure is the median for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. It comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. That means it excludes part-timers, casuals, and managers, so it’s a good picture of what a typical pharmacist in a regular role takes home before tax. About 68% of pharmacists work full-time, and the average full-time week is 42 hours. The median hourly rate is $52, which is above the national median of $47.

Pharmacists are mostly employed in Retail Trade (community pharmacy) and Health Care and Social Assistance (hospital pharmacy). The industry matters because different industries have different pay structures. For example, a pharmacist working in a hospital might have different penalty rates or allowances, while community pharmacy often follows the Pharmacy Industry Award.

Award rates under the Pharmacy Award

If you’re covered by the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020, the minimum pay is set by the Fair Work Ombudsman. As of 1 July 2026, the minimum weekly rates (including the 4.75% Annual Wage Review increase and the second stage of the gender undervaluation increase) are:

• Pharmacist: $1,586.30 per week ($41.74/hr) – index 76
• Experienced Pharmacist: $1,737.40 per week ($45.72/hr) – index 83
• Pharmacist in Charge: $1,778.40 per week ($46.80/hr) – index 85
• Pharmacist Manager: $1,981.60 per week ($52.15/hr) – index 95

These are floors, not ceilings. Many pharmacists earn above the award, especially in shortage areas or with experience. The median of $1,956 is close to the Pharmacist Manager rate, suggesting that many experienced pharmacists or those in charge earn around that level.

It’s also worth noting that the Fair Work Commission has been increasing pharmacist rates to address historical gender undervaluation. The award rates are rising by 14.1% in three stages (2025, 2026, 2027). That’s on top of the Annual Wage Review increases. So a pharmacist on the award today is earning significantly more than they were two years ago.

How pharmacy salary compares across states and industries

The salary index varies by state. For example, the national line is 100, but Western Australia has an index of 106.9 (higher average earnings), while Tasmania is 88.6. A pharmacy salary of $1,956 per week would go further in a lower-index state, but the actual pay might differ due to local market conditions. You can check state comparisons on our states page.

Industry also matters. The health care and social assistance industry index is 97.8, close to the pharmacy median. The retail trade index is only 75.9, which suggests that many retail pharmacists earn less than the national average – but pharmacists in retail often earn above the retail trade average because of their professional classification.

Superannuation and take-home pay

Employers must contribute 12% super guarantee (from 1 July 2026, the rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830). On a $101,712 salary, that’s about $12,205 in super per year. After tax (using 2026–27 tax rates: nil up to $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, then 30% up to $135,000, plus 2% Medicare levy), take-home pay for a pharmacist on the median would be roughly $75,000–$78,000 per year, depending on deductions.

The bottom line on pharmacy salary

A pharmacy salary in Australia is solidly middle-income. The median index of 94 means it’s slightly below the national average, but well above the minimum wage and many other occupations. With award increases coming through, the floor is rising. If you’re comparing job offers, use the salary index to see how they stack up against the national line. For more on how the index works, see how the index works. And for a broader view of pay across industries, visit our industries page.

Remember that the figures here are gross ordinary-time benchmarks. Your actual pay may vary based on experience, location, employer, and whether you’re covered by an enterprise agreement. Always check the latest award rates at the Fair Work Ombudsman or consult a pay guide for your classification.