Your oral health therapist salary: from gross pay to take-home

Understanding your oral health therapist salary

When you see an oral health therapist salary in a job advertisement, it’s usually a gross figure – before tax, the Medicare levy, and any other deductions. What actually lands in your bank account each fortnight can be quite different. This guide breaks down the numbers using the latest public data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Fair Work, and the Australian Taxation Office.

Median earnings for oral health therapists

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the occupation group Dental Hygienists, Technicians and Therapists (which includes oral health therapists) has a median full-time weekly earnings of $2,210 and a median hourly rate of $55 . That works out to roughly $114,920 a year before tax. About half of workers in this field are full-time, and the median age is 44.

Award coverage and minimum rates

Oral health therapists are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. The award sets minimum pay rates for different classification levels, but the exact rate depends on your role and experience. For example, dental assistants under the same award earn between $29.11 and $31.67 per hour . Health professional employees (which includes oral health therapists) have higher minimum rates, but the award guide directs you to use the Pay and Conditions Tool for those classifications. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database also provides updated rates each year .

From gross to take-home: the tax picture

Your take-home pay is what remains after income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 tax year, the resident tax 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
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

On a median oral health therapist salary of $114,920, the estimated tax is:

• First $18,200: $0
• $18,201 to $45,000: $4,020
• $45,001 to $114,920: $20,976
• Total tax: $24,996

You may also be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), but at $114,920 it phases out completely.

Medicare levy

The Medicare levy is a flat 2% of your taxable income. The latest single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. Since a full-time oral health therapist earns well above $35,013, you pay the full 2% – that’s $2,298 on $114,920.

Putting it together: your take-home estimate

• Gross annual salary: $114,920
• Income tax: $24,996
• Medicare levy: $2,298
• Total deductions: $27,294
• Estimated take-home pay: $87,626 per year

That’s about $3,370 per fortnight or $1,685 per week. Remember, this is a guide only. It doesn’t include HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, or payroll rounding.

Superannuation is extra

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. If your job ad says “$114,920 plus super”, your employer adds another $13,790 into your super fund. That money isn’t part of your take-home pay – it’s for your retirement.

Why gross and take-home can be confusing

Many job ads list a total package that includes super. Others show a base salary. Always check whether the figure is plus super or including super. For example, a $114,920 package that includes 12% super means the base salary is about $102,607 – and your take-home will be lower than if the $114,920 were base salary.

Use our Take-home pay calculator to see your own numbers, and read more about Tax and Medicare to understand how the system works.

Summary

The median oral health therapist salary of $2,210 per week is a solid income, but your actual take-home depends on your tax situation. By understanding the difference between gross pay, super, and deductions, you can better plan your finances and compare job offers.