Sonography Salary in Australia: Award Rates, Super, and Tax

What a sonography salary looks like in Australia

If you’re searching for a sonography salary in Australia, the first thing to know is that there’s no single official median figure published for this occupation. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia do not release median weekly earnings for six‑digit ANZSCO codes like Sonographers (251214). What we do have are award minimums, employment patterns, and a clear picture of where the profession sits relative to the national earnings line.

Sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to capture images for medical diagnosis. It’s a skilled, highly regulated role that requires postgraduate qualifications – 62% of sonographers hold a postgraduate or graduate diploma. The workforce is 77% female, with a median age of 39, and about half work part‑time. Full‑time sonographers average 40 hours per week, slightly below the all‑occupations average of 44 hours.

Award minimums for sonographers

The Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, set by the Fair Work Ombudsman, covers most sonographers in the health care industry. From 1 October 2026, after the gender‑based undervaluation review, the minimum weekly rates for health professional employees are:

• Level 2.1: $1,945.40 per week ($51.19 per hour)
• Level 2.2: $1,983.20 per week ($52.19 per hour)
• Level 3: $1,983.20 per week ($52.19 per hour)
• Level 4: $2,499.10 per week ($65.77 per hour)

Annualising these (multiply by 52) gives:

• Level 2.1: $101,160.80
• Level 4: $129,953.20

To put that in context, the national line – full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings – is $108,352 per year (index 100). So the award floor for a Level 2.1 sonographer sits at index 93.4, while Level 4 reaches index 120. That means even the minimum rates can span from slightly below to comfortably above the national average.

Where sonography salary sits on the index

The Salary Index compares any gross annual figure to the national line. For a sonographer on the Level 2.1 award rate, the index would be about 93.4. For a sonographer on Level 4, it would be about 120. But these are minimums. Many sonographers in public hospitals or private practices are covered by enterprise agreements that pay above award, sometimes significantly. The actual sonography salary for an experienced sonographer in a metropolitan private clinic could easily exceed $130,000, pushing the index above 120.

It’s also worth noting that the Health Care and Social Assistance industry as a whole has an index of 97.8, slightly below the national line. Sonographers, however, are a specialised subgroup within that industry and tend to earn more than the industry average.

Superannuation on a sonography salary

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a sonographer earning $120,000, the employer must contribute $14,400 annually to super. This is on top of gross salary and is not included in the index calculation (which uses gross ordinary‑time earnings before super). Super is taxed at 15% within the fund (up to the concessional cap), which is lower than most marginal tax rates, making it a valuable part of total compensation.

Tax on a sonography salary

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

A flat 2% Medicare levy applies. For a sonographer earning $120,000, the estimated tax (including Medicare) would be about $28,267, leaving a take‑home of $91,733 (ignoring HELP, salary sacrifice, or Medicare levy surcharge).

Variations by state and industry

Sonography salaries can vary by location. For example, the states page shows that Western Australia has an overall index of 106.9 (annualised $115,825), while Tasmania is 88.6 ($96,008). Sonographers in WA might command higher pay due to demand and cost of living. Similarly, the industries page shows that Professional, Scientific and Technical services have an index of 114.7, which is above the national line. Sonographers working in private diagnostic imaging companies may fall under this industry, potentially boosting the index.

What the research tells us

The web search for this post used Jobs and Skills Australia’s occupation profile for sonographers and the Fair Work Ombudsman’s award. No median earnings are published, but the award rates provide a clear floor. The how the index works page explains how the index works.

Bottom line

A sonography salary is not a single number, but the award minimums show a range from about $101,000 to $130,000 annually. With super, and tax, the total compensation package is competitive. If you’re comparing a sonography salary, the index is a useful tool to see where you stand.