Archaeologist salary in Australia: what you take home after tax and Medicare

Understanding the archaeologist salary in Australia

If you're working as an archaeologist or considering the field, knowing the archaeologist salary is only half the picture. What really matters is how much lands in your bank account after tax, the Medicare levy, and super. This guide uses the latest public data to give you a realistic take-home estimate.

What the data shows

According to , the average archaeologist salary in Australia is AU$79,315 per year. The range stretches from AU$60,000 at the 10th percentile to AU$124,000 at the 90th. Entry-level archaeologists (less than one year) earn around AU$63,871, while experienced professionals can see AU$94,000 or more.

The profile notes that 750 people are employed as archaeologists, with 31% working part-time and a median age of 37. The Australian Bureau of Statistics classifies the role under OSCA code 232331, with tasks including site excavation, artefact analysis, and heritage assessment.

How tax and Medicare affect your take-home pay

Your archaeologist salary is subject to the 2026–27 resident tax rates. For a salary of AU$79,315, the tax calculation is:

• First AU$18,200: nil
• Next AU$26,800 (up to AU$45,000): 15c per dollar = AU$4,020
• Remaining AU$34,315: 30c per dollar = AU$10,294.50
• Total income tax: AU$14,314.50

The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) does not apply at this income level because it phases out completely above AU$66,667.

The Medicare levy is a flat 2% of your taxable income. For AU$79,315, that's AU$1,586.30. The latest single-person Medicare thresholds are AU$28,011 and AU$35,013; full-time salaries like this pay the full 2%.

Combined, tax and Medicare take AU$15,900.80, leaving you with AU$63,414.20 per year.

Fortnightly take-home example

Your employer will likely pay you fortnightly. Divide the annual take-home by 26:

AU$63,414.20 ÷ 26 = AU$2,439.00 per fortnight.

This is the amount that reaches your bank account after the ATO deducts tax and Medicare. It does not include any salary sacrifice arrangements or HELP/HECS repayments.

Superannuation considerations

Most archaeologist job advertisements quote a salary plus super. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary earnings. On a AU$79,315 salary, your employer would contribute an extra AU$9,517.80 to your super fund each year. This is not deducted from your take-home pay; it's on top. If a salary is advertised as "package" including super, your base salary (and therefore your take-home) will be lower.

How experience changes your archaeologist salary

PayScale data shows clear progression:

• Entry-level (less than 1 year): AU$63,871
• Early career (1–4 years): AU$69,364
• Mid-career (5–9 years): AU$79,000 (average)
• Late career (10–19 years): AU$94,000
• Experienced (20+ years): AU$124,000

As you gain skills in remote sensing, GIS, heritage management, or consulting, your earning potential increases. The field is small, so specialisation can pay off.

Using this guide for your planning

This estimate is a guide only. Your actual take-home pay depends on your exact salary, any deductions, and your residency status. Use the Take-home pay calculator for a personalised figure, and check the Tax and Medicare page for the latest rates. Remember that the national minimum wage is AU$26.44 per hour and AU$1,004.90 per week – a useful benchmark for comparing any job offer.

For more on how super works with your salary, see Super. And if you're comparing roles, the Average pay page gives broader context across occupations.