Sonographer salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index

Sonographer salary and the Australian salary index

If you are looking at a sonographer salary in Australia, the first thing to know is that there is no single official median figure for the occupation itself. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia publish earnings for the broader group Medical Imaging Professionals (ANZSCO 2512), which includes sonographers, medical diagnostic radiographers, radiation therapists, and nuclear medicine technologists. That group’s median full-time weekly earnings are $2,360 before tax, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025). That works out to about $122,720 a year if you work 52 weeks.

Where that sits on the salary index

The Salary Index uses a benchmark of 100 for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which the ABS sets at $2,083.70 per week (annualised $108,352) as of May 2026. Divide the medical imaging professionals’ median of $2,360 by $2,083.70 and multiply by 100, and you get an index of about 113. That means the typical professional in this field earns roughly 13% above the national line. For context, the national minimum wage sits at index 48.2, and the health care and social assistance industry average is index 97.8.

But remember: this is a group figure. Sonographers may earn more or less than the average for all medical imaging professionals. The index is a guide, not a quote for your specific job.

Award coverage and minimum rates

Sonographers are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database shows that minimum rates for health professional employees were updated from 1 October 2026, after a 4.75% increase from 1 July 2026. The exact classification depends on the level of experience and responsibility. For example, a Level 1 health professional under the award might have a minimum hourly rate around $35–$40, but most qualified sonographers earn well above that. The award also includes provisions for allowances, overtime, and penalty rates.

If you are an employer or employee, you can check the latest award classifications on the pay guides page or directly through the Fair Work Commission. The award minimum is a floor, not a ceiling.

How experience, location, and sector affect pay

A sonographer’s actual salary depends on several factors:

• Experience: Entry-level sonographers might start near award rates, while those with several years of experience can earn $90,000 to $130,000 or more.
• Location: State indices vary. For example, Western Australia has an index of 106.9 (annualised $115,825), while Tasmania is 88.6 ($96,008). Sonographers in WA or the ACT (index 109.9) may earn more than those in SA or TAS. See the states page for details.
• Sector: Public hospital sonographers often have structured pay scales under state health awards, while private practices may offer higher base salaries but fewer benefits.
• Full-time vs part-time: Only 51% of sonographers work full-time, according to Jobs and Skills Australia. The average full-time hours are 40 per week, slightly below the national average of 44 hours.

Superannuation and tax considerations

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%, paid on top of your salary. So if your base salary is $110,000, your employer must contribute an extra $13,200 into your super fund, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830.

For income tax in 2026–27 (resident rates, excluding Medicare):

• Nil on the first $18,200
• 15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000
• 30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000
• 37% on income between $135,001 and $190,000
• 45% above $190,000

Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A sonographer earning $120,000 would pay roughly $26,000 in tax plus Medicare, leaving about $94,000 take-home (ignoring HELP, salary sacrifice, or surcharges).

How to research your own sonographer salary

Because official median earnings for sonographers are not published at the 6-digit ANZSCO level, you need to rely on industry surveys, job advertisements, and award rates. The industries page can help you compare with health care averages. You can also look at the topics section for more occupation-specific guides.

Remember that the salary index is a benchmark for full-time ordinary-time earnings. It does not include overtime, bonuses, or casual loadings. A casual sonographer might receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate, which would push their hourly pay higher but without leave entitlements.

Summary

A sonographer’s salary in Australia is not precisely published, but the broader medical imaging professionals group earns a median of $2,360 per week, giving a salary index of about 113. That is comfortably above the national line. Award minimums are lower, but most experienced sonographers earn significantly more. Your actual pay will depend on your experience, location, and whether you work in public or private practice. Use the Salary Index, pay guides, and states pages to benchmark your own situation.