Sonographer Salary Melbourne: Take-Home Pay After Tax and Super in 2026–27

Understanding Your Sonographer Salary in Melbourne

If you're a sonographer in Melbourne or considering the role, knowing what lands in your bank account after tax and the Medicare levy is just as important as the headline figure. Your actual take-home pay depends on your employer type, experience level, and the tax system. This guide breaks down the numbers using the latest award rates, market data, and 2026–27 tax rules.

Award Minimums and Market Rates

Sonographers in private practices and some private hospitals are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. Fair Work's Modern Awards Pay Database shows the minimum hourly rates from 1 October 2026. A new graduate (Level 1, AQF 8, first year) earns $35.19 per hour, or $69,529 annually. With experience, that rises to $45.30 per hour from the seventh year. Senior clinicians and managers (Level 2–4) earn between $51.19 and $65.77 per hour.

In public hospitals, pay is set by state awards. Victoria's scale for sonographers starts at $104,135 per year for a new graduate, well above the federal award. SEEK listings for Melbourne show rates up to $85 per hour for experienced sonographers, reflecting demand in the city.

The Australian Taxation Office's 2023–24 tax returns show a median salary or wage of $109,756 for sonographers nationally, with an average taxable income of $112,903. Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time earnings for medical imaging professionals at $2,360 per week, or about $122,720 per year. That's the figure to benchmark against for a full-time Melbourne sonographer.

How Tax Brackets Shape Your Fortnight

Your take-home pay is determined by the 2026–27 resident tax rates. The first $18,200 is tax-free. Then you pay 15 cents per dollar up to $45,000, 30 cents per dollar up to $135,000, and 37 cents per dollar up to $190,000. The low-income tax offset (LITO) can reduce tax by up to $700, but it phases out above $37,500.

For a sonographer on the median $122,720, the tax calculation is:

• Tax on $18,200–$45,000: $4,020
• Tax on $45,000–$122,720: $23,316 (30% of $77,720)
• Gross tax: $27,336
• Less LITO: $325 (reduced from maximum due to income)
• Net tax: $27,011

Then add the Medicare levy: 2% of $122,720 = $2,454.40. Total deductions: $29,465.40. Take-home pay: $93,254.60 per year, or about $3,586 per fortnight.

The Medicare Levy Thresholds

The Medicare levy is a flat 2% for most full-time workers. The latest published single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If your taxable income is below $28,011, you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, you pay 10 cents per dollar over $28,011. Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%. For a sonographer earning $122,720, you're well into the full levy zone.

Superannuation: Not Deducted from Take-Home

Your employer pays super on top of your gross salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12%, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. If your salary is quoted as "plus super," that 12% is added to your base pay. It's not taken out of your pocket. For a $122,720 salary, your employer contributes an extra $14,726.40 to your super fund. Your take-home pay is calculated on the $122,720, not the super.

Take-Home Pay on Different Figures

Here's how the numbers stack up for a full-time sonographer in Melbourne (38 hours per week, 52 weeks):

• Award minimum (Level 1, first year): $69,529 gross → $56,759 take-home per year ($2,183 per fortnight)
• Median full-time (JSA): $122,720 gross → $92,930 take-home per year ($3,574 per fortnight)
• Average taxable income (ATO): $112,903 gross → $84,114 take-home per year ($3,235 per fortnight)

These estimates use 2026–27 tax rates, the Medicare levy, and no HELP/HECS or salary sacrifice. Your actual take-home may vary based on your specific deductions and tax offsets.

What Changes Your Fortnight

Your fortnightly pay changes with each tax bracket you cross. The jump from $45,000 to $135,000 means you pay 30 cents in the dollar, plus 2% Medicare levy. If you earn above $135,000, the marginal rate rises to 37%. The LITO also phases out, adding a small effective increase. For a sonographer moving from $109,756 (ATO median) to $122,720 (JSA median), the extra $12,964 is taxed at 30% plus 2% Medicare levy, so you keep about $8,815 of it.

Using the Take-Home Pay Calculator

To get a personalised estimate, use our Take-home pay calculator. It applies the exact tax brackets, LITO, and Medicare levy for 2026–27. You can also check the Minimum wage page for the national benchmark of $26.44 per hour and $1,004.90 per week.

Summary

A sonographer salary in Melbourne can range from $69,529 at the award minimum to over $122,720 at the market median. After tax and Medicare levy, your take-home is roughly 75–76% of your gross. Super is on top. Understanding these numbers helps you negotiate and plan your finances. For more on how tax brackets affect your pay, see our Tax and Medicare guide.