The new work year is here and the Aussie jobs market is hanging in there, even in the face of a pretty tumultuous 2024. The unemployment rate sits at a historic 3.9% low, with around 14.5 million Australians employed, showcasing the true grit of the labour force.
For those looking to land a lucrative role in the land of Oz, the signs are generally positive. There’s a continued strong demand for highly skilled professionals in the technology, healthcare, natural resources and sustainability sectors.
Given this, what follows is comprehensive coverage of some of the highest paying jobs in Australia, split across four key categories:
- General
- C-suite
- Specific industries
- Emerging
We’ll also look at a few of the reasons driving the demand for these jobs, what skills you need to nab one, as well as highlight fast growing positions (while some aren’t in the ‘high paying’ category, there’s plenty of positions up for grabs. As a bonus, they come with oodles of opportunity for career growth).
What’s Driving Demand for the Highest Paying Jobs in Australia 2025?
A recent survey by accounting giant KPMG suggests a number of pivotal concerns are the foundation for the soaring demand for professionals to fill these high pay, emerging positions.
The survey of over 300 Australian business leaders – aptly titled Keeping Us Up At Night – revealed the most pressing challenges for the private sector in 2025 are:
- Digital transformation and optimisation and extracting organisational value from it – 53%
- Protecting and dealing with cyber risks – 42%
- New technologies, including AI, and the use cases and ethics around implementation – 39%
- Dealing with evolving regulatory processes (for instance, ESG and sustainability), reporting changes and impacts – 38%
CEOs identify skill gaps in these areas as their biggest headache, resulting in a natural uptick in salaries for these positions. That’s great news if you’re in one of these industries and hunting for a role in Australia.
It’s also worth taking a look at the government’s recent Jobs and Skills Australia report, identifying additional emerging in-demand roles within the Aussie job market. These are positions that require either brand new or diverse skill sets.
While some aren’t classified as ‘high-pay’, there remains immense demand to fill them. Now that’s a good thing to hear when looking to secure a new job in Australia.
The report identified 37 emerging roles across the four key sectors. This is the most in-demand role for each one is:
- Net zero – Electric Vehicle Technician
- Data & Technologies (including AI) – Cloud Developer
- Science & Engineering – Reliability Engineer
- Health, Care & Medical – Community Mental Health Worker
LinkedIn’s Jobs On the Rise also showcases areas of great opportunity in revealing the fastest-growing jobs over the past three years. The top five include:
- English teacher
- Server
- Travel specialist
- Sommelier
- Electrical Design Engineer
Highest Paying Jobs in Australia
When it comes to the highest paying Aussie jobs, tradition dominates. Premier financial positions, surgeons and other high ranked medical professionals come out on top, closely followed by those working in natural resources and defence positions.
It’s no surprise given Australia is characterised by a strong economy; a robust, organised and relatively well-funded healthcare system; copious amounts of rich natural resources; and a deep focus on defence to secure and protect borders.
To compile our highest paying jobs in Australia list, we’ve used the latest ATO figures and Hays’ Salary Guide FY24/25. It’s good to keep in mind salaries vary widely based on factors such as experience, industry demands, location and economic fluctuations.
As an example – a Project and Change Management Director in Melbourne commands an average $220,000 salary, but Sydneysiders see that jump to $260,000. Brisbane and Adelaide come in at the lower end at $190,000.
Let’s move to the list.
Head of Treasury (Accountancy)
- Manages an organisation’s money, liquidity and risks, ensuring financial stability and growth by developing and setting funding strategies.
- Skill level 1 (Bachelor degree in finance, accounting, economics, or related field; often complemented by advanced degrees or relevant certifications)
Average Taxable income: up to $510,000
Surgeon
- Performs surgery to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, and improve human functioning and appearance
- Includes Medical Registrars training as Surgeons
- Skill level 1 (Bachelor degree, higher qualification, and hospital-based training with extensive specialist training and experience)
Average taxable income: $460,356
No. of individuals employed in Australia: 4170
Notes: Those with the highest levels of experience command salaries in excess of $500,000 annually.
Anaesthetist
- Provides direct medical care to patients requiring general, regional or local anaesthesia for surgical, diagnostic and other procedures
- Includes Anaesthetic registrars
- Skill Level 1 (Bachelor degree, higher qualification, and hospital-based training with extensive specialist training and experience)
Average taxable income: $431,193
No. of individuals employed in Australia: 3535
Financial Dealer
- Conducts financial market transactions for of clients
- Includes Financial Market Dealer and Stockbroker
- Skill Level 1 (Bachelor Degree, higher qualification, or at least five years of relevant experience)
Average taxable income: $373,733
No. of individuals employed in Australia: 4938
Internal Medicine Specialist
- Diagnoses and treats internal human disorders and diseases using specialist testing, diagnostic and medical techniques
- Includes Medical Registrars training as Internal Medicine Specialists
- Skill Level 1 (Bachelor Degree, higher qualification, or at least five years of relevant experience)
Average taxable income: $340,729
No. of individuals employed in Australia: 10,329
Defence (Various Roles)
The Defence sector features a number of Australia’s highest paying roles across sales, strategic, operational, and technical domains.
Sales Director
Director of Operations
Taxable income: up to $350,000
Business Development Managers, Commercial Procurement Directors, and Consultants
Taxable income: up to $300,000
Program Managers
Taxable income: up to $260,000
Operations Managers and Engineering Managers
Taxable income: up to $250,000
Natural Resources – Mining and Oil and Gas (Various Roles)
You can make a payload if you have experience in the natural resources sector (and sometimes even if you don’t, according to current employees).
Mining Jumbo Operator
Taxable income: up to $330,000
Registered Mining Managers
Taxable income: up to $310,000
Underground or Quarry Manager
Taxable income: up to $280,000
Construction Managers and Project Managers
Taxable income: up to $265,000
Chief Geologists, Exploration Managers, and Technical Service Managers
Taxable income: up to $260,000
Senior Estimators
Taxable income: up to $255,000
Oil and Gas Engineering Managers, Engineering Managers, Workshop Supervisors, HD Fitters and Auto Electricians
Taxable income: up to $250,000
Mining Engineer
Average taxable income: $214,365
Construction and Rail Infrastructure (Various Roles)
Australia is a construction nation with an eye-watering amount of projects across the residential, commercial and infrastructure sectors. It’s no surprise then that these roles come with some pretty hefty pay packets.
Construction Manager
Taxable income: up to $320,000
Engineering Rail Systems Assurance Specialists and Engineering Systems Assurance Specialists
Taxable income: up to $300,000
Project Managers
Taxable income: up to $250,000
Design Managers
Taxable income: up to $240,000
Site Managers
Taxable income: up to $220,000
Psychiatrist
- Diagnoses, assesses, treats and prevents mental, emotional and behavioural conditions
- Includes Psychiatric registrars training as Psychiatrists
- Skill Level 1 (Bachelor Degree, higher qualification, or at least five years of relevant experience)
Average taxable income: $276,545
No. of individuals employed in Australia: 3,101
Corporate Lawyer (Mergers & Acquisitions Specialist)
- Advises, negotiates, and structures mergers, acquisitions, and corporate transactions, ensuring compliance with Australian corporate law and regulatory frameworks.
- Skill Level 1 (Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (JD), admission as a solicitor in an Australian jurisdiction, and at least five years of relevant experience)
Taxable income: up to $260,000
Other Medical Practitioners
- This group covers Dermatologists, Emergency Medicine Specialists, Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Ophthalmologists, Pathologists, Radiation Oncologists and Radiologists
- Includes Medical registrars training in these specialties
- Skill Level 1 ( Bachelor Degree, higher qualification, or at least five years of relevant experience)
Average taxable income: $255,754
No. of individuals employed in Australia: 30,032
Judicial and Other Legal Professions
- This group includes jobs such as Judicial Registrar, Law Interpretation Officer, Legal Officer, Legal Researcher, Mediator, Parliamentary Counsel, Tribunal Officer, Youth Justice Convenor
- Skill level 1 (Bachelor Degree, higher qualification, or at least five years of relevant experience)
Average taxable income: $204,934
No. of individuals employed in Australia: 4,196
Highest Paying C-Suite Jobs in Australia
These individuals are captains of the ship and with that comes plenty of responsibilities. It makes sense then that there’s a premium pay packet to match.
C-Suite Roles
CEOs and Managing Directors
Taxable income: up to $700,000 (large organisation), up to $450,000 (small organisation)
Chief Operating Officers (COOs), Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), Financial Directors and Executive General Managers
Taxable income: up to $600,000 (large organisation), up to $350,000 (small organisation)
Chief Technology Officers (CTO) and Chief Information Officer (CIO )
Average taxable income: $300,000
Chief Sustainability Officer
Taxable income: up to $280,000
Chief Information Security Officer
Average taxable income: $255,000
Highest Paying Jobs in Australia by Industry
Let’s now shift to the highest paying jobs across some of the most popular industries in Australia.
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE, AND INSURANCE
Note: the larger the organisation, the bigger the pay packet.
Group Financial Controllers
Average taxable income: $315,000
Head of Tax, Head of Internal Audit, Senior Commercial Managers/Directors
Average taxable income: $300,000
BANKING AND FINANCE
Head of Risk
Average taxable income: $400,000
Head of AMI and Regulatory Risk and Head of Compliance
Average taxable income: $350,000
Head of Quantitative Risk, General Manager of Lending , and State Managers for Commercial Lending
Average taxable income: $300,000
Executive Managers of Private Banks
Average taxable income: $280,000
Head of Claims and Chief Underwriter
Average taxable income: $250,000
Retail Banking Regional Managers, Underwriter Managers, Insurance Broking Account Directors, and Heads of Claims
Average taxable income: $220,000
EDUCATION
Salaries in this sector vary widely depending on whether you’re employed in a public or private sector school, with the latter receiving considerably more.
Principal
Average taxable income: from $150-260,000 to $150-$500,000.
Deputy Principal
Average taxable income: from $150-$185,000 to $150,000-$240,000.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Head of HR/HR Director
Average taxable income: from $245-$400,000
Director of Remuneration, WHS Director
Average taxable income: up to $320,000
Learning and Development Director
Average taxable income: up to $255,000
Change Manager
Average taxable income: up to $245,000
MARKETING AND DIGITAL
Executive Director of Communications
Average taxable income: up to $350,000
Director of Communications
Average taxable income: up to $275,000
Marketing Director
Average taxable income: up to $250,000
REAL ESTATE/PROPERTY
Development Director and Acquisitions Managers
Average taxable income: up to $388,000
Client Project Directors
Average taxable income: up to $300,000
Development Manager/Asset Manager
Average taxable income: up to $250,000
TECHNOLOGY
Project Director
Average taxable income: $260,000
Enterprise Architect
Average taxable income: $225,000
Program Manager
Software Development Manager
Average taxable income: $220,000
Senior Change Manager
Cloud Architect, ERP/CRM Tech Consultant, ERP/CRM Architect
Average taxable income: $200,000
Data Architect
Average taxable income: $190,000
SALES
General Manager of Sales and Sales Director
Average taxable income: up to $350,000
Industrial Sales Director
Average taxable income: up to $300,000
Head of Sales, Head of Customer
Average taxable income: up to $250,000
Head of Category
Average taxable income: up to $220,000
Highest Paying Emerging Jobs in Australia
This is perhaps the most interesting category as it holds great potential for those looking for a high paying role in Australia. Each job is in high demand and can experience severe worker shortages.
Note: Figures are taken from recruitment specialist, Randstad and Hays’ Salary Guide.
Renewable Energy Project Development Director
Average taxable income: up to $357,000
Head of Sustainability/ESG
Average taxable income: $160-$330,000
Renewable Energy Project Development Manager
Average taxable income: up to $280,000
Grid Connection Manager
Average taxable income: up to $250,000
Sustainability Manager
Average taxable income: $230,000
Cybersecurity Architect, Grid Connection Engineer
Average taxable income: up to $220,000
Environment Manager, Venture Capitalists and Private Equity Professionals
Average taxable income: $200,000
Cybersecurity Manager
Average taxable income: $140,000 – $200,000
Identity and Access Management (IDAM) Architect
Average taxable income: $190,000
Data Scientist (AI and Machine Learning)
Average taxable income: $140 – $180,000
Digital Transformation Managers
Average taxable income: $130 – $170,000
ESG Analysts and Managers
Average taxable income: $120 – $160,000
Change Managers
Average taxable income: $120 – $150,000
How to Land a High Paying Role in Australia
Securing a high paying job in Australia requires a combination of training, experience, tenacity, networking and top-notch soft skills (communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence, just to name a few). Researching job demand in your area of expertise is crucial, as is being open to upskilling to meet ever-changing job demands.
Oftentimes, reaching out to a recruitment agency who specialises in your industry can give you a leg up. They usually have insider intel that can support you in your search.
Good luck and best wishes as you look for that ideal high paying Aussie role in 2025.
