Home > Salary > Australia > Medicinal Chemist
A medicinal chemist is a professional who specializes in the design, synthesis, and development of new drugs. They work to identify and create chemical compounds that can be used as potential medicines to treat various diseases and conditions. These chemists are involved in all stages of drug development, from initial research and discovery to preclinical and clinical trials.
Medicinal chemists collaborate with other scientists, such as biologists and pharmacologists, to understand the biological targets and mechanisms of diseases, and then design molecules that can interact with these targets effectively. They use their knowledge of organic chemistry and drug design principles to optimize the potency, selectivity, and safety of potential drug candidates. Additionally, they analyze the structure-activity relationships of compounds to improve their pharmacokinetic properties.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 228,481 AUD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 19,040 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,394 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 110 AUD per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 18,334 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,231 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 106 AUD per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-02
Estimated Yearly Salary: 114,290 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,524 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,198 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 55 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
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Estimated Yearly Salary: 228,481 AUD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 19,040 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,394 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 110 AUD per hour
By working as Medicinal Chemist a person can save up to 7,107 USD per month or 85,284 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in Australia, see costs of living in Australia.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Medicinal Chemist
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Medicinal Chemist salary in Australia
Average Yearly Salary of Medicinal Chemist in Australia is approximately 228,481 AUD (114,290 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Medicinal Chemist do?

Skills: Medicinal Chemist, Drug Discovery, Drug Development, Organic Chemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Research
Job industry: Pharmaceutical
Job industry: Pharmaceutical
How much does Medicinal Chemist make?
Salary details
How much does Medicinal Chemist make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 228,481 AUD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 19,040 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,394 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 110 AUD per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 220,002 AUDEstimated Monthly Salary: 18,334 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,231 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 106 AUD per hour
Medicinal Chemist estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 114,290 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,524 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,198 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 55 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
Australia is a vast country located in the southern hemisphere. It has a diverse population of approximately 25 million people. The country spans an area of about 7.7 million square kilometers, making it the sixth-largest country in the world. Australia is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans and is known for its stunning landscapes, including the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, and the Outback.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 84,179 AUD (60,430 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Medicinal Chemist job salary compared to average salary in Australia.
Comparison shows that a person working as Medicinal Chemist in Australia earns on average:
2.71 times the average salary (or 271% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 84,179 AUD (60,430 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Medicinal Chemist job salary compared to average salary in Australia.
Comparison shows that a person working as Medicinal Chemist in Australia earns on average:
2.71 times the average salary (or 271% of average salary).
Is Medicinal Chemist a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Medicinal Chemist is a very well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Medicinal Chemist?
High salary for Medicinal Chemist would be somewhere between 251,329 AUD and 331,297 AUD. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Medicinal Chemist in Australia?
Living in Australia the approximate monthly expenses are: 2,417 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 228,481 AUD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 19,040 AUD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,394 AUD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 110 AUD per hour
By working as Medicinal Chemist a person can save up to 7,107 USD per month or 85,284 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in Australia, see costs of living in Australia.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Medicinal Chemist
Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
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Random salary:
Magnetic resonance imaging technician (159,848 AUD per year, pre-tax.)
Special counsel (203,059 AUD per year, pre-tax.)
Public health advisor (142,276 AUD per year, pre-tax.)
Agency recruiter (58,016 AUD per year, pre-tax.)
Monetization manager (185,356 AUD per year, pre-tax.)
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