What is the minimum wage for a meteorologist in Australia?

The minimum wage for a meteorologist depends on whether they are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement. If no award or agreement applies, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) is the floor. However, most meteorologists are covered by either the Professional Employees Award 2020 or the Bureau of Meteorology Enterprise Agreement 2024, both of which set higher minimum rates.

Does the Bureau of Meteorology Enterprise Agreement cover all meteorologists?

No. The Bureau of Meteorology Enterprise Agreement 2024 covers employees of the Bureau of Meteorology, a Commonwealth agency. Meteorologists working for other employers (e.g., private weather services, universities, or state governments) may be covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020 or another applicable award or agreement. Always check the specific instrument that applies to your employment.

How does the meteorologist salary compare to the national minimum wage?

Meteorologists are typically skilled professionals, so their salaries are well above the national minimum wage. The Bureau of Meteorology Enterprise Agreement 2024, for example, includes classification-based salaries that are significantly higher than $26.44 per hour. Even under the Professional Employees Award 2020, the minimum rates for professional employees are higher than the national minimum. The national minimum wage serves only as a legal backstop for award-free workers.

Meteorologist salary in Australia: minimum wage, award rates, and enterprise agreements

The legal minimum for a meteorologist depends on coverage; the Bureau of Meteorology Enterprise Agreement 2024 sets negotiated rates above the national minimum wage of $26.44/h.

Understanding the meteorologist salary floor

When researching the meteorologist salary in Australia, it is important to separate the legal minimum from negotiated or award rates. The pay floor depends on whether you are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or neither. This guide explains the different layers of minimum pay and how they apply to meteorologists.

The national minimum wage as a backstop

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week (). This rate applies only to employees who are not covered by a modern award or a registered enterprise agreement. Most meteorologists, however, are covered by an award or an agreement, so the national minimum wage is rarely their actual minimum.

Employers must also pay the superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. This is an additional cost, not part of the quoted hourly or weekly rate.

Award coverage for meteorologists

The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database () lists minimum rates for hundreds of classifications. Meteorologists who are not employed by the Bureau of Meteorology are often covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020. This award sets minimum salaries for professional employees, including those with a degree in meteorology or related science. The award rates are higher than the national minimum wage and increase with experience and classification level.

If you are covered by this award, your employer must pay at least the rate for your classification. You can check the current rates using the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool or the award itself.

The Bureau of Meteorology Enterprise Agreement 2024

For meteorologists working at the Bureau of Meteorology, the applicable instrument is the Bureau of Meteorology Enterprise Agreement 2024, approved by the Fair Work Commission and expiring on 28 February 2027 (). This enterprise agreement sets negotiated salaries that are well above the award minimums. The agreement includes classification structures, pay increments, and allowances specific to Bureau employees.

Because the agreement is a registered enterprise agreement, it overrides the award and the national minimum wage. Employees covered by this agreement receive the rates specified in the document, which are typically higher than the Professional Employees Award.

Comparing negotiated salaries to the minimum

While the Bureau of Meteorology Enterprise Agreement 2024 contains specific salary figures, those figures are not publicly listed in the search results used for this guide. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a separate “meteorologist salary” category. However, the ABS May 2026 data shows that full‑time adult average ordinary‑time earnings across all occupations are $2,083.70 per week. Meteorologists, as professionals, would generally earn above this average, but exact figures depend on experience, location, and employer.

For a precise comparison, you would need to refer to the applicable enterprise agreement or award classification. The key takeaway is that the legal minimum is far below what a qualified meteorologist actually earns.

Which pay floor applies to you?

If you work for the Bureau of Meteorology, your minimum is set by the Bureau of Meteorology Enterprise Agreement 2024.
If you work for another employer and are covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020, your minimum is the award rate for your classification.
If you are award‑free and agreement‑free, the national minimum wage applies.

Always check your employment contract and the applicable industrial instrument. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides free tools and advice to help you understand your entitlements.

For more information, see our guides on Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables.

Superannuation is on top

Remember that the superannuation guarantee (currently 12%) is paid by your employer on top of your ordinary time earnings. It is not included in the hourly or weekly rates quoted above.

Frequently asked questions

We have answered the most common questions about the meteorologist salary above. If you need further clarification, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman or your union.

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