Nuclear medicine technologist salary: award coverage versus the national minimum wage

Nuclear medicine technologist salary: what the research shows

When you search for a “nuclear medicine technologist salary” in Australia, the first thing you notice is that official sources do not publish a median or average figure for this specific occupation. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, does not produce a median for 6‑digit ANZSCO occupations such as Nuclear Medicine Technologists (251213). The only national employment data comes from the 2021 Census and the Labour Force Survey, which count about 830 people in the role. Without a published median, it is impossible to give a reliable “typical” salary.

What we can do is set out the legal minimum and explain how to compare any offered rate against it.

The legal pay floor: national minimum wage

From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. This rate is set by the Fair Work Commission and applies to adult employees in the national system who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. For casual employees, a 25% loading brings the minimum to $33.05 per hour.

Superannuation is an additional employer payment. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid on top of the wage. So an award‑free nuclear medicine technologist earning the national minimum would receive at least $26.44 per hour plus $3.17 in super, for a total minimum of $29.61 per hour.

Award coverage: likely higher rates

Nuclear medicine technologists are classified under ANZSCO unit group 2512 (Medical Imaging Professionals). The most relevant modern award is the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which covers health professionals employed in the health industry. Under that award, classification levels and pay rates are higher than the national minimum. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, award minimum wages increase by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. An introductory rate limited to the first six months cannot be less than $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

If you are employed under an enterprise agreement, the base rate must be at least the award rate. Individual contracts can also set a higher rate, but never below the applicable award or the national minimum.

Where to find a nuclear medicine technologist salary guide

Because the ABS does not publish a median, you can look at:

• Advertised salaries on job boards – these vary by location, experience, and employer.
• The broader Medical Imaging Professionals category – the ABS may publish data at the 4‑digit level (2512), but even that can be suppressed if the sample is small.
• Your award or enterprise agreement – the classification level determines your minimum rate, and many employers pay above the minimum.

Jobs and Skills Australia notes that 70% of nuclear medicine technologists work full‑time, with average full‑time hours of 40 per week. The median age is 34, and 68% are female. These demographics may influence salary expectations but do not replace a published dollar figure.

How the figures work

This site uses the national minimum wage as the baseline. For award‑free employees, the rates are clear. For award‑covered employees, you need to check the specific award classification. The Rate tables page lists current national minimum and award rates. The Guides section explains how to find your award and calculate your correct pay.

Remember: the national minimum is a floor, not a target. Most nuclear medicine technologists will earn more because of award provisions, enterprise agreements, or market demand. If you are offered a rate, compare it to the award minimum for your classification level. If no award applies, the national minimum is the legal minimum.

Important distinctions

• Legal minimum – set by the Fair Work Commission, enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
• Award rate – the minimum for your classification under a modern award.
• Enterprise agreement rate – negotiated between employer and employees (or their union), must be at least the award rate.
• Negotiated salary – can be above any of these, but never below the applicable minimum.

Super is always on top. From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super at the same time as wages (payday super).

For more detail on how these figures are derived, see How the figures work. For an overview of which minimum applies to you, see Which minimum wage applies.

FAQs

What is the minimum wage for a nuclear medicine technologist in Australia? The legal minimum is the national minimum wage: $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for adult award‑free employees from 1 July 2026. Most nuclear medicine technologists are likely covered by a modern award (such as the Health Professionals and Support Services Award) or an enterprise agreement, which can set higher rates. If no award or agreement applies, the national minimum is the floor.

Is there a published average or median nuclear medicine technologist salary? The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for nuclear medicine technologists because the occupation is too small (about 830 workers). Jobs and Skills Australia reports that 70% work full‑time, with average full‑time hours of 40 per week, but no dollar figure is available. For a guide, you could look at the broader Medical Imaging Professionals group or check advertised roles.

Does the national minimum wage apply to junior or trainee nuclear medicine technologists? Award‑free juniors (under 21) are paid a percentage of the national minimum wage – for example, a 20‑year‑old receives $25.84 per hour. Apprentices and trainees follow the Miscellaneous Award rates, not the junior percentages. If a modern award covers the role, its own junior and trainee rates apply. Always check the applicable award or agreement first.