Psychologist salary guide: what you actually take home after tax and Medicare

Understanding the real value of a psychologist job offer

When you see a job ad for a psychologist role, the figure in the ad is only part of the picture. What matters is what you actually keep after tax and the Medicare levy. This guide uses the latest 2026–27 tax rates and the Medicare thresholds to show how to compare offers using the amount that reaches your bank account.

Where the numbers come from

Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time weekly earnings for psychologists and psychotherapists is $2,204 per week, which annualises to about $114,608 a year. However, only half of psychologists work full-time. The average weekly total cash earnings for all employees in this occupation is $1,533, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours. ATO tax filer data shows a median taxable income of $89,309.

From gross to take-home

Take the median full-time figure of $2,204 per week. For the 2026–27 income year, the tax on that amount:

• Tax on the first $18,200 is nil. Then 15 cents per $1 over $18,200 to $45,000, then 30 cents per $1 over $45,000 to $135,000, then 37 cents per $1 over $135,000 to $190,000, then 45 cents per $1 over $190,000. For $114,600, the tax is about $24,902. The Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income, which is $2,292. The Medicare levy exemption thresholds for single person is $28,011 and $35,013 for the latest published thresholds. Full-time salaries pay the full 2%.

After tax and Medicare, the take-home is about $87,413 per year. That is the amount that reaches your bank account before any salary packaging or salary sacrifice. Super is not deducted from take-home if the salary is plus super.

Comparing offers

When comparing two psychologist job offers, look at the after-tax amount. Use the Take-home pay tool to calculate your own figure. Also check the Tax and Medicare to understand the tax rates. Also check Super to see if the salary is inclusive or exclusive of super.

What about part-time?

If you work part-time, your weekly earnings will be lower. The average weekly total cash earnings for all psychologists is $1,533. That works out to about $79,700 annualised. The after-tax amount on that is lower, but the Medicare levy still applies.

Key points

• Median full-time weekly earnings: $2,204
• Average weekly total cash earnings: $1,533
• Median taxable income from ATO: $89,309
• Take-home for median full-time: about $87,413
• Minimum wage is $26.44 an hour and $1,004.90 a week

Use this guide to compare job offers by the amount that actually reaches your account.