What is the current national minimum wage for an ecologist?

From 1 July 2026 the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per 38-hour week. This is the legal floor for award-free adult employees. Most ecologists are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that sets a higher rate, so the national minimum is rarely the actual pay.

How does the median ecologist salary compare with the national minimum?

According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the median full-time hourly earnings for environmental scientists (ANZSCO 2343) is $54.00, and median weekly earnings are $1,953. That is roughly double the national minimum wage, reflecting the professional qualifications and experience required.

Do ecologists receive superannuation on top of their salary?

Yes. Employers must pay the superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For an ecologist earning the median $1,953 per week, that adds about $234.36 per week in super contributions. The super guarantee rate is legislated and applies to most employees.

Ecologist salary in Australia: which pay floor applies and what the data show

The median full-time hourly rate for environmental scientists (including ecologists) is $54.00, well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026.

Ecologist salary: separating the legal minimum from what people actually earn

If you are searching for an "ecologist salary" in Australia, you will quickly find a range of figures. Some come from job advertisements, others from government surveys, and a few from award classifications. This guide explains which pay floor applies to ecologists and how the typical earnings compare with that floor.

Which pay floor applies to ecologists?

Ecologists are usually classified under the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry and are often covered by the Scientists Award 2020 (or a state equivalent). From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, modern award minimum wages rose by 4.75%. The lowest ongoing classification under the Scientists Award cannot fall below the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. An introductory rate (limited to the first six months) cannot be less than $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

If an ecologist is award-free (for example, working in a role not covered by any modern award), the national minimum wage applies. However, most ecologists are employed under an award or an enterprise agreement that sets a higher rate. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage; the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it.

What the ABS data show for ecologist pay

The Australian Bureau of Statistics, through the Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), reports median earnings for Environmental Scientists (ANZSCO 2343) — a category that includes ecologists, conservation officers, environmental consultants, and research scientists. The key figures are:

Median full-time weekly earnings: $1,953 before tax
Median full-time hourly earnings: $54.00
Share working full-time: 85%
Median age: 39 years

These are medians for full-time non-managerial adult employees. They are not a legal minimum but a snapshot of what experienced ecologists typically earn. The ABS notes that these figures exclude part-time workers and managers, so they reflect the core professional workforce.

How the legal minimum and the survey median differ

It is important to understand the difference between a legal minimum and a survey average or median. The national minimum wage is a floor: no adult employee can be paid less than $26.44 per hour (or $33.05 casual) unless they are a junior, apprentice, trainee, or on a supported wage. The median ecologist salary of $54.00 per hour is more than double that floor, reflecting the specialised tertiary qualifications and experience required.

If you are negotiating an ecologist salary, the award rate for your classification level is your starting point. Many employers pay above the award to attract and retain skilled staff. The median gives you a realistic benchmark for a typical full-time role.

Superannuation is paid on top

Whenever you see a salary figure for an ecologist, remember that the superannuation guarantee of 12% is an employer payment on top of ordinary time earnings. For the median weekly earnings of $1,953, the employer must contribute an extra $234.36 per week to your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional cost to the employer.

Award rates and enterprise agreements

Ecologists working in the public sector (e.g., state environment departments) or for large consultancies may be covered by an enterprise agreement that sets higher rates than the award. Always check your employment contract or ask your employer which instrument applies. The award backstop ensures that no classification rate falls below the national minimum.

What about junior or entry-level ecologists?

If you are under 21 and award-free, the special national minimum wages for juniors apply. For example, a 20-year-old award-free employee gets 97.7% of the adult rate ($25.84 per hour). However, most ecologists are employed under an award that has its own junior rates, which may be higher. Apprentice and trainee rates for award-free employees follow the Miscellaneous Award.

Where to find more information

Which minimum wage applies: A guide to determining your correct pay floor.
Rate tables: Current national minimum wage, award rates, and junior percentages.

Summary

The ecologist salary in Australia is well above the legal minimum. The median full-time hourly rate of $54.00 from the ABS is a reliable benchmark for experienced professionals. The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) is the absolute floor, but most ecologists earn significantly more under awards or agreements. Always check your specific award classification and remember that super is paid on top.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.