Radiologist Salary in Australia: What Job Ads and Offers Really Mean

Reading a radiologist job ad? Here’s what the numbers mean

When you see a radiologist salary in a job ad or an offer letter, it helps to know where that figure sits against the national line. The Salary Index uses full-time adult ordinary-time earnings as a benchmark of 100 – that’s $108,352 a year from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (May 2026). Any radiologist salary can be divided by that number and multiplied by 100 to get an index score. An index of 200 means twice the national average; 300 means three times.

Radiologist pay in Australia varies enormously by sector, experience, and whether you’re an employee or a practice owner. The Australian Taxation Office’s 2023–24 tax data gives the most complete picture: across 2,525 radiologists, the average taxable income was $500,262 (index 462) and the median was $430,250 (index 397). But those figures include business and investment income. For radiologists who were paid a salary or wage only, the median was $271,780 (index 251). That’s a useful benchmark for an employed radiologist, though it includes part-time and less experienced doctors.

Public hospital staff specialist scales

Most radiologists in public hospitals are employed as staff specialists under state industrial agreements. These are published rates, so you can compare offers directly.

• New South Wales: A first-year staff specialist earns a base salary of $197,583, plus a 17.4% special allowance, bringing the total to $231,962 (index 214).
• Victoria: Year 1 is $262,099 (index 242) under the Western Health agreement approved by the Fair Work Commission.
• Queensland: The L18 entry level is $222,059 (index 205), before a 50% attraction and retention allowance that can push it higher.

These rates are for full-time specialists who don’t receive private practice income. They are updated periodically – check the relevant state award or agreement for the latest.

Private practice and the award floor

If you’re considering a job in a private hospital covered by the Medical Practitioners Award, the minimum for a specialist from July 2026 is $121,535 a year (index 112). That’s the legal floor, not a market rate. Most private practice radiologists earn far more, often through a combination of base salary and a share of billings. The ATO’s average taxable income of $500,262 reflects that mix.

Jobs and Skills Australia reports that the broader group of Other Medical Practitioners (which includes radiologists) had a median full-time employee earnings of $5,013 per week in May 2025 – about $260,676 a year (index 241). That’s a helpful cross-check, but it’s not radiologist-specific.

Comparing offers using the index

When you get a job offer, convert the annual gross salary to an index score. For example:

• A public hospital offer of $231,962 (NSW year 1) gives an index of 214.
• A private practice offer of $300,000 gives an index of 277.
• The ATO median salary/wage of $271,780 gives an index of 251.

The index lets you see how an offer stacks up against the national benchmark and against other sectors. Remember that superannuation (12% from July 2026) is usually on top, and tax (including the 2% Medicare levy) will reduce take-home pay. For a full breakdown of how the index works, see how the index works.

State and industry context

Radiologist pay also varies by state. The states page shows that the national average earnings index ranges from 88.6 in Tasmania to 109.9 in the ACT. A public hospital offer in Victoria (index 242) may look different when adjusted for local living costs. Similarly, the industries page shows that Health care and social assistance has an index of 97.8 – below the national average – but radiologists are a high-earning specialty within that industry.

What job ads often miss

Many job ads for radiologists quote a base salary without mentioning allowances, on-call payments, or private practice billings. Always ask for the total remuneration package, including super, leave loading, and any performance bonuses. If the ad says “award rates apply”, check the pay guides for the Medical Practitioners Award or the relevant state agreement.

For a deeper dive into how the index is calculated, see Salary Index. And if you’re comparing multiple offers, the topics section has guides on negotiating and understanding total reward.

The bottom line

Radiologist salary in Australia spans a wide range. The award minimum is $121,535, public hospital staff specialists earn between $222,000 and $262,000 at entry level, and the ATO median for all radiologists (including private practice) is $430,250. When you read a job ad, use the Salary Index to put the figure in perspective – and always ask what’s included beyond the base.