Surgeon Salary Australia: State and Industry Differences

Understanding Surgeon Salary Australia

When you search for "surgeon salary Australia", you're looking at one of the highest-paid professions in the country. But the figure you find depends on where you look and how you measure it. This article explains the key benchmarks, state differences, and industry context using the Salary Index – a tool that compares any pay figure to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings line (index 100 = $2,083.70 per week or $108,352 per year).

The Median Surgeon Salary

According to the latest data from Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for surgeons (ANZSCO 2535) are $3,905. That's before tax and includes all surgical specialties such as cardiothoracic, orthopaedic, neurosurgeons, and plastic surgeons. The median hourly rate is $80, and surgeons work an average of 54 hours per week, with 93% employed full-time.

To put this on the Salary Index: $3,905 divided by $2,083.70 times 100 equals 187.4. That means a surgeon earning the median makes about 87% more than the typical full-time worker. For comparison, the national minimum wage sits at index 48.2.

Award Minimums vs Actual Pay

The Fair Work Ombudsman's Medical Practitioners Award sets minimum weekly rates for specialists. As of July 2026, a specialist starts at $2,570.93 per week, while a senior principal specialist earns at least $3,374.36. These are floors, not ceilings. Most surgeons are paid above award, often through enterprise agreements or private practice arrangements. The median of $3,905 sits between the senior specialist pay point 5 ($3,193.92) and principal specialist ($3,259.00) award rates, but many experienced surgeons earn significantly more.

State Differences in Surgeon Pay

Surgeons are not evenly spread across Australia. State distribution data from Jobs and Skills Australia shows:

• Victoria: 31.9%
• New South Wales: 23.6%
• South Australia: 9.1%
• Western Australia: 7.9%
• Tasmania: 3.0%
• Australian Capital Territory: 1.7%
• Northern Territory: not separately reported

State-level Salary Index figures give context: Western Australia (106.9) and ACT (109.9) have higher overall earnings, while Tasmania (88.6) is lower. A surgeon practising in Perth or Canberra may earn more than one in Hobart, partly due to cost-of-living adjustments and demand. However, surgeon salaries are also influenced by hospital funding models, private patient mix, and subspecialty shortages.

Industry Context: Health Care and Social Assistance

Surgeons work in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, which has an overall index of 97.8 – slightly below the national average. That's because the industry includes many lower-paid roles like aged care workers and nursing assistants. Surgeons are at the top of the pay scale within this industry. Their median of $3,905 per week is more than double the industry average, reflecting the years of training, high responsibility, and specialised skills required.

How the Salary Index Works

The Salary Index is a simple way to compare any pay figure to the national benchmark. The benchmark (index 100) is the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings from the Australian Bureau of Statistics – $2,083.70 per week or $108,352 per year. To calculate an index for a salary, divide the annual gross amount by $108,352 and multiply by 100. For example, a surgeon earning $203,060 per year (median) gives an index of 187.4. This allows you to see how any occupation, state, or industry compares to the average worker.

Tax and Super Considerations

Surgeon salaries are subject to the standard tax rates. For 2026–27, the tax-free threshold is $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. On a $203,060 salary, the estimated tax (including Medicare) would be around $63,000, leaving about $140,000 after tax. Superannuation guarantee is 12% from July 2026, with a maximum contribution base of $270,830. Many surgeons also salary sacrifice into super to reduce tax.

Key Takeaways

• The median surgeon salary in Australia is $3,905 per week, index 187.4.
• Award minimums are lower, but actual pay is often higher.
• State concentrations vary, with Victoria and NSW employing the most surgeons.
• Health care industry index is 97.8, but surgeons far exceed that average.
• Use the Salary Index to compare any pay figure to the national line.

For more detailed comparisons, explore our state pages and industry pages.