Radiology salary in Australia: how state and industry benchmarks compare

What does 'radiology salary' mean?

When people search for a radiology salary, they usually want to know what someone working in medical imaging or as a radiologist earns. The term covers two main groups: medical imaging professionals (radiographers, sonographers, nuclear medicine technologists) and diagnostic and interventional radiologists (medical specialists). Pay can differ a lot between them, and also depends on where you work and which industry you're in.

This article looks at the available public data and compares it to the national salary index, which sets 100 as the benchmark for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. The index helps you see where a pay figure sits against the national line.

What the data says about radiology pay

Jobs and Skills Australia publishes earnings data from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours. For Medical Imaging Professionals (ANZSCO 2512), the median full-time weekly earnings are $2,360, with median hourly earnings of $60. That annualises to about $122,720 (52 weeks). Compared to the national index of 100 ($108,352), that gives an index of roughly 113 – above the national average.

For Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologists (ANZSCO 253917), the same source lists median weekly earnings as N/A. That means the data is too unreliable to publish, likely because the sample size is small or the variation is high. Radiologists are medical specialists, and their pay is often negotiated individually or through enterprise agreements, so public benchmarks are scarce.

State differences in radiology salary

The national index is based on average weekly earnings across all occupations. Each state has its own index, which shows how overall pay levels compare. For radiology roles, these state differences can give a rough idea of relative earning power.

• ACT: index 109.9 (annualised $119,090)
• WA: index 106.9 ($115,825)
• NSW: index 101.2 ($109,658)
• VIC: index 98 ($106,137)
• QLD: index 97.9 ($106,064)
• NT: index 95.2 ($103,173)
• SA: index 94.6 ($102,450)
• TAS: index 88.6 ($96,008)

If you're a medical imaging professional earning the national median of $122,720, moving from Tasmania to the ACT could mean your relative purchasing power changes, but your actual salary might not shift by the same proportion. The states page has more on how these indices are calculated.

Industry differences

Most radiology professionals work in Health Care and Social Assistance. That industry has an index of 97.8, slightly below the national average. But within that industry, radiology roles can pay above or below the industry benchmark. For example, private radiology practices may offer higher salaries than public hospitals, while regional areas sometimes offer incentives.

Other industries where radiology skills are used include Mining (index 154.7) – for example, fly-in fly-out roles doing occupational health imaging – and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (index 114.7). These industries tend to pay more, but the number of radiology jobs there is small. The industries page compares all sectors.

Awards and minimum rates

Some medical imaging professionals are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database includes minimum rates for classifications under that award. From 1 July 2026, award minima rose by 4.75%. The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week (index 48.2). Entry-level award floors start at $25.74 per hour.

Radiologists, as medical specialists, are usually not covered by modern awards. Their pay is set by contracts or enterprise agreements. Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, and the maximum contribution base is $270,830.

How the salary index works

The index is simple: take your yearly gross ordinary-time earnings, divide by the national line ($108,352), and multiply by 100. So if you earn $122,720, your index is about 113. That means you earn 13% above the national average for full-time adult workers. The how the index works page explains it in more detail.

Tax considerations

For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates (excluding Medicare) are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; 45% above $190,000. Medicare levy is 2%. These are before any deductions or offsets. Take-home pay estimates should factor these in, but individual circumstances vary.

Summary

Radiology salary in Australia depends on the specific role. Medical imaging professionals have a clear public benchmark of $2,360 per week (index ~113). For radiologists, no reliable public figure exists, but they are likely well above the national average. State and industry differences matter: working in WA or ACT, or in mining or professional services, can push pay higher. The Salary Index and pay guides can help you compare any role to the national line.

Further reading

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Medical Imaging Professionals
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologists
• Fair Work Commission: Modern Awards Pay Database