30 Best Paying Jobs in Australia (2024–2025)

Based on data from the Australian Taxation Office, SEEK, and industry reports, the following are among the highest-paying roles in Australia:

1. Neurosurgeon – $604,582
2. Ophthalmologist – $592,414
3. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon – $568,439
4. Anaesthetist – $405,000–$425,000
5. Psychiatrist – $236,055
6. Project Director – $232,682
7. General Practitioner (GP) – $232,450
8. Staff Specialist (Medical) – $222,503
9. Engineering Manager – $181,783
10. Engineering Lead – $171,441
11. Financial Planning & Analysis Manager – $167,445
12. Electrical Supervisor – $164,545
13. Reliability Engineer – $158,347
14. Functional Consultant – $155,266
15. Director of Nursing – $149,873
16. Acquisition Manager – $145,901
17. Registrar (Medical) – $145,176
18. Banking Manager – $143,932
19. Quality Manager – $140,664
20. Facilities Manager – $146,867
21. IT Project Manager – $135,000–$155,000
22. Cyber Security Specialist – $134,995–$183,715
23. Supply Chain Director – Up to $260,000
24. Construction Manager – $175,000–$200,000
25. Software Engineer – $110,000–$125,000
26. Data Analyst – $90,000–$110,000
27. Geologist – $127,122
28. Human Resources Director – Up to $400,000
29. Electrician – $85,000–$110,000
30. Registered Nurse – $85,000–$90,000

Sources: Indeed, The Nightly, 7News

Roles with Significant Salary Growth

Several occupations have experienced notable salary increases over the past year:

1. Quality Manager – 14.62% increase
2. Registrar (Medical) – 12.18% increase
3. Banking Manager – 11.65% increase
4. Acquisition Manager – 11.64% increase
5. Director of Nursing – 8.92% increase
6. Staff Specialist (Medical) – 8.43% increase
7. Facilities Manager – 7.57% increase
8. Psychiatrist – 6.58% increase
9. Engineering Lead – 6.23% increase
10. Reliability Engineer – 4.88% increase

Additionally, roles such as security systems technicians, operations team members, support engineers, and telecommunications technicians have seen rapid salary growth, driven by increased demand and industry expansion.

Average Salaries by State

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), median weekly earnings for employees in August 2024 were as follows:

1. Australian Capital Territory (ACT): $1,688
2. Northern Territory (NT): $1,500
3. Western Australia (WA): $1,500
4. New South Wales (NSW): $1,396
5. Victoria (VIC): $1,350
6. Queensland (QLD): $1,350
7. South Australia (SA): $1,250
8. Tasmania (TAS): $1,208

Average Salaries by Industry

The ABS reports the following average weekly ordinary time earnings for full-time adults by industry as of November 2024.

1. Mining: $2,811.10
2. Information Media and Telecommunications: $2,452.20
3. Financial and Insurance Services: $2,437.60
4. Professional, Scientific and Technical Services: $2,300.50
5. Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services: $2,298.30
6. Construction: $2,153.80
7. Education and Training: $1,898.70
8. Health Care and Social Assistance: $1,848.30
9. Retail Trade: $1,390.20
10. Accommodation and Food Services: $1,282.90

National Wage Trends

• Median Weekly Earnings: As of August 2024, the median weekly earnings for employees in their main job were $1,396, marking a 7.4% increase from the previous year.
• Wage Price Index: Annual wage growth slowed to 3.2% in the December 2024 quarter, down from 4.2% the previous year
• Real Wage Growth: Despite the slowdown, wages have outpaced inflation for four consecutive quarters, offering some relief from cost-of-living pressures.

Future Outlook

The Australian job market is projected to see significant growth in certain sectors over the next decade:

• Health Care and Social Assistance: Expected to experience the largest employment growth, increasing its share of total employment from 15.2% in 2023 to 16.7% by 2033.
• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services: Projected to grow by 409,800 persons (10.9%) by May 2029 and by 785,000 persons (20.9%) by May 2034.

Key Takeaways from Job Data

1. Healthcare, Tech, and Engineering Are High-Growth Fields
Roles in Health Care and Social Assistance, like Nursing, Psychiatry, and Director-level roles, are seeing strong demand and salary growth.

Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and Software Engineering are among the most lucrative and fast-growing roles in the tech sector.

Engineering roles such as Reliability Engineer and Engineering Lead show consistent salary increases and stability.

2. Location Matters
Workers in ACT, WA, and NT earn significantly more on average than those in SA, TAS, or QLD.

Relocating or seeking remote roles connected to high-paying regions can open up better salary opportunities.

3. Managerial and Specialist Roles Pay Well
Titles with “Manager”, “Director”, or “Specialist” (e.g., Quality Manager, Facilities Manager, Medical Registrar) show some of the highest salary increases.

These roles often require experience and/or postgraduate qualifications, so investing in long-term skill development pays off.

4. Vocational Trades Are Still Strong
Roles like Electricians and Telecommunications Technicians remain well-paid and in demand.

These jobs often offer stable employment without needing a university degree.

5. Salary Growth Reflects Skills Shortages
Jobs with the highest salary growth are often those with skill shortages or are mission-critical (like in health, security, infrastructure, and finance).

These shortages create leverage for salary negotiations or career transitions.

Advice for Workers and Job Seekers

1. Prioritise in-demand skills
Focus on gaining skills in:

• Health services (nursing, mental health)
• Tech (cybersecurity, software, data)
• Engineering & infrastructure
• Financial analysis and planning

Use platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or local TAFE programs to upskill or reskill in high-demand areas.

2. Think regionally and strategically
If you’re flexible:

• Target roles in ACT or WA where salaries are higher.
• Explore remote-first companies where location doesn’t cap earning potential.

3. Invest in career progression
If you’re already in the workforce:

• Seek leadership or specialist roles in your field.
• Consider formal certifications or postgraduate studies in your domain to boost your earning ceiling.

4. Be salary-savvy
Use salary tools (like SEEK or Hays guides) to benchmark your pay and negotiate effectively.

• Look for roles with fast salary growth, not just high base salaries.

5. Explore alternate entry paths
University isn’t the only route:

• Vocational education (TAFE, apprenticeships) offers access to well-paid trade jobs.
• Consider alternative pathways like micro-credentials or employer-sponsored training.