Sonographer salary Melbourne: how it compares on the Australian salary index

Sonographer salary Melbourne: where it sits on the Australian salary index

If you’re researching a sonographer salary Melbourne, you’re probably trying to work out how the pay compares to other roles and to the national benchmark. Sonographers (also called ultrasound technologists) are classified under Medical Imaging Professionals (ANZSCO 251214). They work mostly in hospitals, private imaging centres, and diagnostic clinics. In this guide we’ll explain what the available data says, where it fits on the Salary Index, and what award conditions apply.

What the national data shows

The most reliable public figure comes from Jobs and Skills Australia, which reports median full-time weekly earnings of $2,360 for Medical Imaging Professionals (based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025). That’s for non-managerial employees working full-time. Annualised over 52 weeks, that’s about $122,720.

On the salary index – where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year – that median works out at an index of 113. In other words, the typical Medical Imaging Professional earns about 13% above the national average for all full-time workers.

But that figure is national and covers all four occupations in the group: medical diagnostic radiographers, medical radiation therapists, nuclear medicine technologists, and sonographers. It’s not a sonographer-only number, and it’s not Melbourne-specific.

Adjusting for Melbourne and Victoria

Victoria’s state salary index is 98 – meaning average full-time earnings in Victoria are about 2% below the national line. If a Melbourne sonographer’s pay follows the same pattern, you might expect the local median to be a little under the national $122,720. However, the state index is a broad measure across all occupations. Healthcare professionals in Victoria may not track exactly with that average. Without a Melbourne-specific sonographer survey, the best estimate is that a full-time sonographer in Melbourne probably earns somewhere in the range of $115,000 to $125,000 per year, depending on experience and sector. That would put the index between 106 and 115.

Award minimum rates: the floor

Sonographers are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database shows minimum weekly rates for health professional classifications. From 1 July 2026, award rates increased by 4.75% following the Annual Wage Review. Additionally, from 1 October 2026, minimum rates for health professional employees were adjusted as part of the gender-based undervaluation review.

Under the award, a sonographer would typically be classified as a Health Professional Level 2 or 3. The exact minimum weekly rate depends on the classification step. For example, a Level 2 employee might have a minimum weekly rate around $1,150–$1,300 (annualised $59,800–$67,600). That’s well below the median, because most sonographers are paid above award, especially in private practice. The award minimum is a legal floor, not a market rate.

How super and tax affect take-home pay

From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up from 11.5%. So on a $120,000 salary, your employer contributes $14,400 to super. The maximum contribution base is $270,830.

For income tax in 2026–27 (resident, with tax-free threshold), the rates are:

• Nil on the first $18,200
• 15% on $18,201–$45,000
• 30% on $45,001–$135,000
• 37% on $135,001–$190,000
• 45% above $190,000 Plus the Medicare levy of 2%.

On a $120,000 salary, the estimated tax (including Medicare) is about $29,467, leaving a take-home of roughly $90,533 per year, or $1,741 per week. That’s before any salary sacrifice or HELP repayments.

Where sonographers work in Melbourne

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, 32.6% of Medical Imaging Professionals work in Victoria – the highest share of any state. The industry is almost entirely Health Care and Social Assistance. In Melbourne, major employers include public hospitals (e.g., Royal Melbourne, Alfred, Monash), private hospital groups (Ramsay, Healthscope), and standalone imaging centres (I-MED, Lumus, Capitol).

Full-time work is common: 64% of Medical Imaging Professionals work full-time, averaging 40 hours per week. That’s slightly below the all-occupations average of 44 hours. Part-time and casual arrangements are also available, especially in private practice.

Comparing to other health roles

On the industries page, Health Care and Social Assistance has an index of 97.8 – just below the national line. Sonographers, however, tend to earn above the industry average because of their specialised skills. For context:

• National minimum wage: $26.44/hr, index 48.2
• Retail trade industry index: 75.9
• Professional, scientific and technical index: 114.7
• Education and training index: 105.5

A sonographer on $120,000 (index 111) sits comfortably above the healthcare industry average and close to the professional services benchmark.

What the data doesn’t tell us

There is no publicly available Melbourne-specific sonographer salary from the ABS, Fair Work, or Jobs and Skills Australia. The national median for Medical Imaging Professionals is the closest proxy, but it includes other roles. Sonographers may earn slightly more or less than radiographers, for example. Experience, shift penalties, and on-call allowances can also boost pay. For the most current award rates, check the pay guides on the Fair Work Ombudsman site.

Summary

A sonographer salary in Melbourne is likely around $115,000–$125,000 for a full-time experienced professional, based on the national median and Victoria’s state index. That puts the salary index between 106 and 115. Award minimums are lower, but most sonographers are paid above award. For a personalised estimate, consider your experience level, employer type, and whether you work in public or private practice.

For more on how the index works and how your pay compares, see how the index works and explore states and topics.