Sonographer Salary Australia: Pay, Super and Tax Guide
Find out the sonographer salary Australia median earnings, how it compares to the national index, and what super and tax mean for your take-home pay.
The median weekly earnings for sonographers are not separately published, but the broader Medical Imaging Professionals group earns $2,360 per week, well above the national index of 100.
Sonographer Salary Australia: What the Data Shows
When you search for a sonographer salary australia, the first thing you notice is that official median earnings for sonographers alone are not published. The Australian Bureau of Statistics, through Jobs and Skills Australia, reports that for the 6,000 sonographers employed nationally, median weekly earnings are marked as N/A. That is because the sample size at the six-digit ANZSCO level is too small to produce a reliable figure. However, the broader group Medical Imaging Professionals (which includes sonographers, radiographers, radiation therapists, and nuclear medicine technologists) has a median full-time weekly earnings of $2,360. That is the best public benchmark we have.
How Sonographer Pay Compares to the National Line
The Salary Index sets 100 as full-time adult ordinary-time earnings: $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The Medical Imaging Professionals median of $2,360 per week annualises to $122,720, giving an index of about 113.3. That is well above the national line, but remember it is an average across several professions. Sonographers may earn differently depending on their setting – public hospital, private practice, or regional location. The industries page shows that Health Care and Social Assistance as a whole has an index of 97.8, but sonographers are a specialised, highly skilled group within that industry and typically earn above the industry average.
Award Coverage and Minimum Rates
Most sonographers are employed under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database contains the minimum rates for classifications under this award, but the database does not list a specific “sonographer” classification. From 1 July 2026, award minimum rates increased by 4.75% following the Annual Wage Review. The national minimum wage itself rose to $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week, index 48.2). For sonographers, the award minimum is likely higher than the national minimum, but most professionals earn well above the award floor due to demand and qualifications. The pay guides section explains how to check your specific award classification.
Gross Pay, Super, and Tax
When you look at a sonographer salary australia, you need to consider three layers: gross pay, superannuation, and tax.
Gross pay is what you see on your contract. Using the Medical Imaging Professionals median of $122,720 per year, that is your ordinary-time earnings before any overtime or penalties. Sonographers often work part-time – only 51% work full-time hours, and the average full-time week is 40 hours. Part-time workers earn proportionally less but may have higher hourly rates if penalty rates apply.
Superannuation from 1 July 2026 is 12% of ordinary-time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. On $122,720, that adds $14,726.40 to your retirement savings each year. This is not included in your take-home pay but is a key part of your total remuneration. The super guarantee is legislated and applies to most employees.
Tax for 2026–27 uses the resident rates: nil on the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. On $122,720, your estimated tax is about $28,867 plus $2,454 Medicare levy, leaving roughly $91,399 take-home. That is before any HELP debt repayments, salary sacrifice arrangements, or the Medicare levy surcharge for single high-income earners without private hospital cover. The states page shows how your location affects the index – for example, NSW is 101.2 and Victoria is 98.0, but those are averages across all occupations. Sonographers in high-cost states like NSW or ACT may negotiate higher pay.
Where to Find More Information
If you want to dig deeper into how your pay compares, start with the Salary Index. It shows where any gross annual salary sits against the national line. For sonographers, the index is likely between 110 and 120 for full-time roles, but that is an estimate. The topics page covers related areas like award rates, casual loading, and industry benchmarks. Always check your own contract and award classification, because individual circumstances vary. The Fair Work Commission’s database is the authoritative source for minimum rates, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics provides the earnings benchmarks used in this guide.
Final Thoughts on Sonographer Salary Australia
The sonographer salary australia picture is clearer when you use the Medical Imaging Professionals group as a proxy. With a median weekly earnings of $2,360, sonographers are well compensated compared to the national average. But because the official sonographer-specific figure is not published, treat any precise number as indicative. Your actual pay depends on your experience, employer, location, and whether you work full-time or part-time. Use the tools on this site to calculate your own index, factor in super and tax, and compare against industry and state benchmarks.
Questions people ask
How is the salary index calculated for sonographers?
The salary index compares annual gross ordinary-time earnings to the national line of $108,352 (index 100). For sonographers, we use the Medical Imaging Professionals median of $2,360 per week, annualised to $122,720. That gives an index of about 113.3. But because sonographer-specific data is unavailable, treat this as a guide only. Your actual index will depend on your role, experience, and location.
What superannuation applies to sonographer salaries?
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. If your annual salary is $122,720, your employer must contribute at least $14,726.40 in super. This is on top of your gross pay and is taxed at 15% within the fund. Salary sacrifice arrangements can also affect your super balance.
How does tax affect a sonographer's take-home pay?
For 2026–27, 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. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. On a gross salary of $122,720, your estimated tax (with tax-free threshold) would be about $28,867 plus $2,454 Medicare levy, leaving roughly $91,399 take-home. This ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge.