Meteorologist salary: understanding gross pay, super, and take-home

Meteorologist salary: what you need to know

If you're a meteorologist or considering this career, understanding your pay package is crucial. The term "meteorologist salary" can mean different things depending on whether it's quoted as gross pay, a package including super, or your actual take-home amount. This guide explains the differences and how to estimate what lands in your bank account.

Where meteorologists work

Most meteorologists in Australia are employed by the Bureau of Meteorology, a Commonwealth agency. Others work in private consulting, education, or research. The Bureau's pay and conditions are set by the Bureau of Meteorology Enterprise Agreement 2024, which covers all non-SES employees. According to the agreement, salary is determined by classification and experience, with annual increases of 4.0% (2024), 3.8% (2025), and 3.4% (2026). However, the specific salary figures for each classification are not publicly listed in the search results.

Gross salary vs. superannuation

When you see a "meteorologist salary" advertised, it may be quoted as a base salary excluding super, or as a total package including super. Under the Bureau's enterprise agreement, the employer contributes 15.4% of your fortnightly contribution salary to superannuation. This is higher than the general super guarantee rate of 12% that applies from 1 July 2026. Super is not deducted from your salary; it's an additional benefit paid into your super fund.

Estimating your take-home pay

Your take-home pay is what remains after income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 tax year, the tax rates are:

• Nil on the first $18,200
• 15c per $1 from $18,201 to $45,000
• 30c per $1 from $45,001 to $135,000
• 37c per $1 from $135,001 to $190,000
• 45c per $1 over $190,000

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, but if you earn below $28,011 (single), you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, the levy is reduced on a sliding scale. Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%. Since most full-time meteorologist salaries exceed $35,013, you'll likely pay the full levy.

To estimate your take-home, subtract the tax and Medicare from your gross salary. For example, if your gross salary is $80,000 (a hypothetical figure for illustration), your tax would be calculated as: $4,020 + 30c per $1 over $45,000 = $4,020 + 0.30 * ($80,000 - $45,000) = $4,020 + $10,500 = $14,520. Medicare at 2% = $1,600. Total deductions = $16,120, leaving take-home of $63,880. However, this is just an example; your actual meteorologist salary may differ.

The minimum wage benchmark

For context, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour and $1,004.90 per week, according to Fair Work. This is a useful benchmark, but meteorologists typically earn well above this level.

Common mix-ups

• Salary quoted as "plus super": The super amount is on top of the quoted salary. Your take-home is based on the salary only.
• Salary quoted as "package": This includes super. Your take-home is based on the salary component after subtracting the super contribution.
• Allowances: The Bureau's agreement includes allowances for shift work, on-call, and other duties. These are paid in addition to base salary and are taxable.

For a personalised estimate, use the Take-home pay tool on this site. You can also review the Tax and Medicare guide for detailed brackets.

Conclusion

Your meteorologist salary depends on your employer, classification, and experience. The Bureau of Meteorology Enterprise Agreement 2024 provides the framework for many meteorologists, but specific salary figures are not publicly detailed. Always check whether a salary quote includes super, and use the tax tables to estimate your take-home. Remember, the Medicare levy applies at 2% for most full-time workers.