Sonographer salary: what changes your fortnight take-home pay

Sonographer salary: what you actually take home

If you are a sonographer in Australia, your advertised salary is only part of the story. What lands in your bank account each fortnight depends on tax brackets, the Medicare levy, and super. This guide explains how those deductions work so you can plan your budget.

Official data on sonographer pay

Jobs and Skills Australia reports that sonographers (ANZSCO 251214) number about 6,000 nationally, with 49% working part-time and a median age of 39. However, median weekly earnings are not published for this occupation. That means no single figure represents a typical sonographer salary. Pay varies by state, hospital or private practice, and years of experience. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, but rates depend on classification level.

What changes your fortnight: tax brackets

Your employer withholds tax from each pay using the 2026–27 resident rates. The first $18,200 is tax-free. Then you pay 15 cents for every dollar between $18,201 and $45,000, 30 cents between $45,001 and $135,000, and higher rates above that. The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) can reduce tax by up to $700 if your taxable income is under $37,500, then phases out. These brackets directly affect your fortnight take-home pay.

Medicare levy: the 2% rule

Most full-time sonographers pay the full Medicare levy of 2% of taxable income. The latest single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If your income is below $28,011, you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, a shading rate applies (10 cents per dollar over the lower threshold). Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%. For a full-time sonographer earning above that, the levy is a flat 2% deduction from your gross each fortnight.

Super: not a deduction from your pay

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. If your job advertisement says "$80,000 plus super", the employer pays $9,600 into your super fund on top. That money does not come out of your take-home. If the ad says "$80,000 including super", then about $8,571 is directed to super and your gross for tax purposes is lower. Always check which wording is used.

Part-time and casual sonographers

With 49% of sonographers working part-time, your hours directly affect your take-home. Part-time employees still pay tax and Medicare levy on their earnings, but the lower income may mean you fall into the Medicare levy exemption or shading zone. Casual employees get a loading (usually 25%) but that loading is also taxable. Use the Take-home pay calculator to see the effect of different hours.

How to estimate your own sonographer salary take-home

Because official median earnings are not available, the best approach is to use your actual or expected gross salary. The Tax and Medicare page explains the rates in detail. For a quick estimate, enter your annual salary into the calculator on this site. It applies the 2026–27 tax brackets, LITO, and the Medicare levy. Remember that HELP/HECS repayments, salary packaging, and the Medicare levy surcharge (if you don’t have hospital cover) are not included in this basic estimate.

Summary

Your sonographer salary is not a fixed number. The advertised figure, your hours, and whether super is included all change your fortnight pay. Tax brackets and the Medicare levy take a predictable slice. Use the tools on this site to see exactly what you will take home.