What is the minimum wage for a pathologist in Australia?

Pathologists are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031). The award sets minimum hourly rates that are significantly higher than the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026 the national minimum is $26.44 per hour, but a qualified pathologist will receive at least the award rate for their classification. You can check the exact rate using the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool.

Does the national minimum wage apply to pathologists?

The national minimum wage acts as a backstop. If a modern award or enterprise agreement does not cover a pathologist, the national minimum wage applies. However, almost all pathologists in private practice or public hospitals are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award or a hospital‑specific enterprise agreement, both of which provide higher rates. The national minimum wage also applies to award‑free junior employees, but pathologists are typically adults and covered by an award.

Pathologist Salary Australia: Pay Floors, Award Rates, and What the Figures Really Mean

Q: How does a pathologist’s salary compare to the average Australian salary?

The ABS reports that in May 2026 the average total earnings of all employees was $1,579.20 per week. Pathologists, being specialist medical practitioners, would generally earn well above this average. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for pathologists notes that median weekly earnings are published for the 4‑digit group ‘Other Medical Practitioners’ but not separately for pathologists due to the small workforce size (about 2,800 employed).

The legal minimum for a pathologist is set by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, which provides rates well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour; the ABS does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for the 6‑digit occupation of pathologist.

Which pay floor applies to a pathologist salary in Australia?

When searching for a pathologist salary australia, it is easy to mix up the legal minimum, the award rate, and survey averages. This guide explains each layer so you can see which figure matters for your situation.

The national minimum wage – the absolute floor

From 1 July 2026 the Fair Work Commission set the national minimum wage at $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a full‑time adult employee working 38 ordinary hours. This rate applies only to employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Most pathologists are covered by an award, so this floor is rarely their actual pay rate. Remember that superannuation (the super guarantee) of 12% is paid on top of ordinary time earnings.

The Medical Practitioners Award – the real minimum for most pathologists

Pathologists are classified under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031). The award contains several classification levels based on experience and responsibility. Minimum rates under the award are substantially higher than the national minimum wage. For example, a newly registered medical practitioner (Level 1) receives a rate that is well above $26.44, and rates increase with each level. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide for this award, and you can use the Which minimum wage applies tool to check if you are award‑free or covered by an award.

Survey averages – what the ABS and Jobs and Skills Australia say

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for the 6‑digit occupation ‘Pathologists’ (ANZSCO 253915) because the sample size is too small. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for pathologists shows that the median weekly earnings for the broader 4‑digit group ‘Other Medical Practitioners’ (which includes pathologists) is available, but not broken down further. The profile does report that 67% of pathologists work full‑time, with average full‑time hours of 44 per week. The median age is 43, and 64% are female. For a sense of the market, the ABS May 2026 all‑employees average total earnings was $1,579.20 per week, but pathologists would typically earn more.

Negotiated salaries and enterprise agreements

Many pathologists work in public hospitals or private pathology practices that have enterprise agreements. These agreements can set rates above the award minimum. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, the agreement rate is your legal minimum – it cannot be lower than the award. Always check your employment contract and any applicable agreement before relying on award rates.

What about juniors, apprentices, and supported wages?

The national minimum wage has lower rates for award‑free juniors (e.g., under 16: $9.73 per hour). However, pathologists are almost always adults and covered by an award, so these junior rates do not apply. Apprentice and trainee rates for award‑free employees follow the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages. Supported wages may apply to employees with disability under a supported employment service award.

How to find your exact rate

Because the award classification depends on your qualifications and duties, the best way to find your minimum rate is to use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool or check the Rate tables on this site for the Medical Practitioners Award. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, your employer must provide a copy.

Summary

The legal pay floor for a pathologist is the Medical Practitioners Award rate, not the national minimum wage. The ABS does not publish a median salary specifically for pathologists, but the occupation is well‑paid relative to the Australian average. Always confirm your classification and any applicable agreement to ensure you are receiving at least the minimum you are entitled to.

For more detail on how pay floors work across different occupations, see our Guides page.