Surgeon salary: what you take home after tax and Medicare
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median weekly earnings for surgeons are $3,905, or $80 per hour.
Surgeon salary: the big picture
When you’re negotiating a surgeon salary, it’s important to understand what actually lands in your bank account. According to , the median weekly earnings for surgeons are $3,905, or $80 per hour. That’s more than double the full‑time adult ordinary time average of $2,083.70 a week. But your take‑home pay depends on tax brackets, the Medicare levy, and how super is handled.
How tax brackets affect your take-home
Australia uses a progressive tax system. For 2026–27, the rates are:
- $0 – $18,200: nil
- $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
- $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
- $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
- $190,001 and above: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000
A surgeon earning the median $3,905 a week works 54 hours on average, so annual income is about $203,060. That puts you in the top bracket. Tax on that is $51,370 plus 45c for every dollar above $190,000 – an extra $5,877 – for a total of $57,247. The low‑income tax offset (LITO) does not apply at this income level.
The Medicare levy and your fortnight
The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. The latest single‑person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. Full‑time surgeons earn well above the upper threshold, so you pay the full 2%. On $203,060, that’s $4,061 a year. Combined with income tax, your total deductions are $61,308.
Your annual take‑home pay would be $203,060 – $61,308 = $141,752. That’s about $5,452 a fortnight. Remember, this is a guide – your actual tax may vary due to deductions, HELP/HECS repayments, or the Medicare levy surcharge.
Superannuation: what you need to know
Most surgeon salaries are advertised as ‘plus super’. The super guarantee rate is 12% from 1 July 2026, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. That means your employer pays an extra 12% on top of your base salary into your super fund. It does not reduce your take‑home pay. If your contract says ‘including super’, then the quoted figure includes the super component, and your cash salary will be lower.
Putting it all together: a take-home example
Let’s work through a fortnight for a surgeon on the median $3,905 a week:
- Gross fortnight: $7,810
- Income tax (estimated): $2,202
- Medicare levy: $156
- Net take‑home: $5,452
This is before any salary sacrifice arrangements. If you use salary packaging, you could reduce your taxable income and increase your take‑home. For more on how tax and Medicare work together, see our Tax and Medicare guide. You can also use the Take-home pay calculator to estimate your own figures.
Keep in mind that award rates for specialists under the Medical Practitioners Award are lower – for example, a specialist’s minimum weekly pay is $2,570.93 according to . Your actual surgeon salary will depend on your experience, specialty, and employer.
Questions
How is my surgeon salary taxed?
Your surgeon salary is taxed at progressive rates. For 2026–27, the first $18,200 is tax-free, then 15c per dollar up to $45,000, 30c up to $135,000, 37c up to $190,000, and 45c above that. A low‑income tax offset (LITO) may reduce tax if your taxable income is under $66,667, but most surgeons earn above that and receive no LITO.
How does the Medicare levy affect my take-home pay?
The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income for full‑time workers. The latest single‑person thresholds are $28,011 (lower) and $35,013 (upper). If your income is above the upper threshold, you pay the full 2%. For a surgeon earning $203,060, that’s about $4,061 a year, or $156 a fortnight.
Does super come out of my surgeon salary?
Usually, a surgeon salary is quoted as ‘plus super’, meaning the 12% super guarantee is paid on top of your base salary. It is not deducted from your take‑home pay. If your contract says ‘including super’, then super is part of your salary and will reduce the cash you receive.