Radiologist salary in Australia: gross pay, package, and what lands in your bank

Understanding the radiologist salary: gross, package, and take-home

When you see a radiologist salary advertised or reported, it is easy to confuse the gross figure with what actually reaches your bank account. The mix-up often happens between the base salary, the total package (including superannuation), and the take-home amount after tax and the Medicare levy. This guide breaks down each layer using the latest public data.

What the data shows

The Australian Taxation Office reports that the median radiologist salary or wage was $271,780 in 2023-24, with an average of $383,218. notes that this figure is for salary or wage only—income billed through a doctor's own practice or company is not included. The same source shows a significant gender gap: median $390,965 for men and $146,504 for women, partly reflecting differences in hours worked.

Public hospital radiologists are paid on staff specialist scales. In NSW Health, the scale runs from $197,583 (Year 1) to $266,942 (Senior Staff Specialist). Queensland Health offers $225,305 to $311,764 depending on status. These rates are from the relevant enterprise agreements and are updated periodically.

Jobs and Skills Australia provides additional context: 74% of diagnostic and interventional radiologists work full-time, with an average of 45 hours per week. The median age is 45, and 34% are female. also reports median weekly earnings, but note that these are gross figures before tax.

Gross salary versus total package

A common point of confusion is whether a quoted radiologist salary includes superannuation. The national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour and $1,004.90 a week (from Fair Work). For higher earners, the super guarantee rate is 12% from 1 July 2026, applied to earnings up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. If an employer says the salary is "plus super", the gross salary is the base; super is added on top. If they say "total package", super is included in that figure. For example, a $271,780 gross salary plus 12% super gives a total package of $304,393.60, but your take-home is calculated only from the gross $271,780.

Estimating take-home pay

To see what lands in your bank, you need to subtract income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026-27 tax year, the resident tax rates are:

• Up to $18,200: nil
• $18,201 to $45,000: 15c per $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 to $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c per $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 to $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c per $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c per $1 over $190,000

The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) can reduce tax for lower incomes, but at $271,780 it phases out completely. The Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income for singles earning above $35,013 (the upper threshold; the lower threshold is $28,011). Full-time radiologists will pay the full 2%.

Using the median $271,780:

• Tax: $51,370 + 0.45 × ($271,780 - $190,000) = $51,370 + $36,801 = $88,171
• Medicare levy: 2% × $271,780 = $5,435.60
• Total deductions: $93,606.60
• Estimated take-home: $178,173.40

This is a resident estimate only. It excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge (if applicable), salary sacrifice arrangements, and payroll tax-table rounding. It is not an assessment. Use our Take-home pay guide for a more personalised calculation.

Public sector versus private practice

Radiologists in public hospitals are paid according to the Medical Practitioners Award or enterprise agreements. The Fair Work pay guide for the award shows a specialist rate of $2,570.93 per week (about $133,688 annually) for a full-time specialist, but this is a minimum. Actual public hospital rates are higher due to enterprise agreements, as shown in the NSW and Queensland scales above. Private practice radiologists often earn more, but their income can fluctuate with the volume of studies reported. The ATO average of $383,218 reflects the higher end of private earnings.

The gender pay gap

The ATO data reveals a large gap: median $390,965 for men versus $146,504 for women. This is partly due to differences in hours and career stage, but it is a notable feature of the radiologist salary landscape. When comparing offers, consider the full picture of hours, on-call requirements, and super.

Key takeaways

• The median radiologist salary is $271,780 (gross), but take-home is around $178,173 after tax and Medicare.
• Super is usually additional unless the package is stated as inclusive.
• Public hospital scales start around $197,583 in NSW and $225,305 in Queensland.
• Always check whether a quoted figure is gross, package, or take-home to avoid surprises.

For more on how tax and Medicare affect your income, see our Tax and Medicare page. You can also explore Salary packaging options that may reduce your taxable income.