Ultrasound Tech Salary: Award Rates and the National Minimum Wage
Find out what the ultrasound tech salary is in Australia. We compare award rates under the Health Professionals Award to the national minimum wage and salary index.
The ultrasound tech salary is not published as a single median figure, but award rates under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award set a floor well above the national minimum wage.
What does “ultrasound tech salary” mean?
“Ultrasound tech” is another name for a sonographer, a medical imaging professional who operates ultrasound equipment to capture images for medical diagnosis. In Australia, sonographers are classified under ANZSCO 251214 and work mainly in Health Care and Social Assistance. The term “ultrasound tech salary refers to the pay for this role, which is set by awards, enterprise agreements, or enterprise agreements.
Where the pay comes from
The main source for official pay data is the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Skills Australia. However, that source lists median weekly earnings for sonographers as “N/A” because it is not published for 6-digit occupations. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for awards such as the Health Professionals and Support Services Award (MA000027), which covers most sonographers. The Fair Work Commission also provides minimum rates in its Modern Awards Pay Database.
The salary index context
The salary index sets 100 as full-time adult ordinary-time earnings: $2,083.70 per week, annualised $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised $52,255, index 48.2. Award rates for sonographers are higher than that. For example, the Health Professionals Award minimum rates for Health Professional Level 1 (graduate) is above the national minimum. The index for the Health Care and Social Assistance industry is 97.8, slightly below the national line.
Awards versus the national minimum wage
The writing angle is awards versus the national minimum wage. The national minimum wage is a floor, but awards set higher minimum rates. From 1 July 2026, award minima rose by 4.75%. For a sonographer, the award classification determines the minimum. For example, a Health Professional Level 1 might be around $30–35 per hour, well above the national minimum. This means the ultrasound tech salary is typically above the national minimum.
State and industry differences
State indices vary: NSW index 101.2, VIC 98, QLD 97.9, WA 106.9. A sonographer in Western Australia might earn more due to the higher state index. The industry index for Health Care and Social Assistance is 97.8, close to the national line. The salary index for a sonographer can be estimated using these benchmarks.
Take-home pay estimate
Without a published median, we can estimate using award rates. A full-time sonographer earning $90,000 per year gross would have an index about 83. Tax on $90,000 is about $19,717 plus Medicare $1,800 = $21,517, net $68,483. This is a resident estimate with the tax-free threshold and a flat 2% Medicare levy. The salary index for a sonographer likely sits between 70 and 102 on the index, depending on experience and location.
Summary
The ultrasound tech salary is not a single figure, but award rates under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award provide a floor above the national minimum wage. The salary index helps compare pay to the national line. For more on how the index works, see how the index works. For state comparisons, see states. For industry benchmarks, see industries.
Questions people ask
What award covers ultrasound techs in Australia?
Most ultrasound techs (sonographers) are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award (MA000027). This award sets minimum pay rates for health professional classifications. Some may be covered by enterprise agreements that offer higher rates.
How does the ultrasound tech salary compare to the national minimum wage?
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour (index 48.2). Award rates for sonographers start above that, often around $30–35 per hour for entry-level Health Professional Level 1. The salary index for a full-time sonographer likely sits between 70 and 100 on the index, depending on experience.
What is the salary index for a sonographer?
The salary index compares annual gross earnings to the national line of 100 ($108,352 per year). For a sonographer earning $90,000 gross, the index is about 83. Without a published median, award rates suggest a range from about 70 to 102 on the index.