Radiology salary: how to check your hourly rate against the legal minimum and industry benchmarks

Understanding your radiology salary

When you search for a "radiology salary" in Australia, you will find a range of figures. This guide helps you separate the legal minimum from survey averages, award rates, and negotiated salaries. Whether you are a medical imaging professional or a radiologist, knowing the pay floor and how your rate compares is essential.

The national minimum wage: your legal floor

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour. These rates apply only if you are award-free and agreement-free. Most private-sector employees are in the national system, but some state public sector and local government workers may be covered by state awards.

Important: juniors, apprentices, trainees, and employees on introductory award rates can be paid less. For award-free juniors, percentages of the adult rate apply. For example, a 17-year-old award-free employee earns $15.29 per hour. Always check your specific situation.

Award coverage for radiology roles

Most radiology jobs are covered by a modern award, which sets higher minimum rates than the national minimum. Medical imaging professionals such as radiographers, sonographers, and nuclear medicine technologists are typically covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologists, being medical practitioners, fall under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020. These awards include classification structures with pay points based on qualifications and experience.

The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database contains the calculated minimum rates for each award. From 1 July 2026, modern award minimum wages rose by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below the national minimum. An introductory rate for the first six months cannot be less than $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week. Your employer may also have an enterprise agreement that sets a higher rate.

Survey data: what the ABS and Jobs and Skills Australia show

For a broader picture, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia publish earnings data. The most recent figures for Medical Imaging Professionals (ANZSCO 2512) show a median full-time weekly earnings of $2,360 and median hourly earnings of $60. This is significantly above the national minimum. The median age in this occupation is 36, and 76% of workers are female. Full-time hours average 40 per week.

For Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologists (ANZSCO 253917), median weekly earnings are not published due to a high standard error. However, the average full-time hours are 45 per week. As medical specialists, their earnings are generally higher than those of medical imaging professionals, but precise figures are not available from this source.

Remember: survey medians are not minimums. Your actual radiology salary depends on your role, experience, location, and employer. Use these figures as a benchmark, not a guarantee.

How to check your hourly rate

To see where your radiology salary stacks up, follow these steps:

1. Find your hourly rate from your payslip. If you are salaried, divide your annual salary by 52 weeks, then by your ordinary weekly hours.
2. Identify the award or agreement that covers you. Your employer should tell you, or you can search the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
3. Look up the minimum rate for your classification in the award. The Fair Work Commission's database is the authoritative source.
4. Compare your rate to the national minimum ($26.44 per hour) and to the survey median for your occupation.
5. Remember that superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026) is paid on top of your ordinary time earnings. It is not deducted from your pay.

If your rate is below the award minimum, you may be underpaid. Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for advice.

Superannuation: an extra on top

When discussing a radiology salary, always consider superannuation. The super guarantee requires your employer to contribute 12% of your ordinary time earnings into a super fund. This is not part of your take-home pay but is a compulsory benefit. For example, on a $60 per hour rate, the super contribution is $7.20 per hour. Over a year, this adds up significantly.

Award-free employees and junior rates

If you are award-free and not covered by an agreement, the national minimum applies. Junior rates for award-free employees are set by age. For instance, a 20-year-old earns $25.84 per hour (97.7% of adult rate). Casual loadings apply on top. Apprentices and trainees follow the Miscellaneous Award rates.

For more detail on which minimum applies to you, see Which minimum wage applies and How the figures work.

Final thoughts

The term "radiology salary" covers a range of roles and pay levels. The legal minimum is $26.44 per hour, but most professionals earn well above that. Use the award rates and survey medians as guides, and always check your own circumstances. If you are unsure, consult the Fair Work Ombudsman or a workplace relations specialist.

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