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Curious about the highest paying jobs? The fact that Australian employment in the medical field pay the highest salaries may not come as a surprise. Medical professionals make the highest salaries in the country, according to data from the Australian Taxation Office. Surgeons make an average of $406,068, anesthetists make $388,814, and internal medicine experts make $310,848.
But as our annual Hays Salary Guide shows, there are many positions outside of medicine that pay above $200K, some of which may even be in your sector. In this article, we discuss some of the highest paying jobs in Australia along with the factors that affect the compensation these occupations command.
Don’t limit your professional aspirations to pursuing the highest paying positions if you want to work for a long time and enjoy your job. Nonetheless, understanding the highest paying positions in your chosen field will you in planning your future professional steps.
Australia’s highest paying jobs from 2023 to 2024
In addition to providing up-to-date market data and trends, our Hays Salary Guide displays average pay for hundreds of jobs around Australia. We’ve compiled a list of some of the highest paying jobs in Australia based on this data.
We identify a few deviations to the general trend of salaries given here, which pertain primarily to occupations in Sydney. For instance, the highest paying industries in Western Australia are mining and oil and gas. Given that government funds are allocated to the armed forces, the ACT leads in defense salary.
Please refer to our comprehensive Hays Salary Guide for information on salaries in various areas and for roles within your industry. You can also use our Salary Checker to evaluate how well your pay compares.
Legal: Up to $850K for an equity partner
Today’s top earnings in the law field are Equity Partners. Sydney tops the list with wages of $850K+, while equity partners in elite private firms in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney report average earnings of more than $500K. It might take up to 15 years, according to research, to advance from an associate partner position in a legal firm, so be ready to work hard to get there. Lawyers often put in tremendous hours in very competitive situations in order to advance to the position of equity partner. If you’d rather work in-house, general counsel usually makes between $250 and $400K+ annually.
CEO and MD are executive ($700K).
The average salary for CEOs and managing directors in commercial organizations with $50 million to $500 million in annual revenue is $600K, with the possibility of exceeding $700K.
Incomes for COOs and EGMs in commercial organizations with $50 million to $500 million in annual revenue typically range from $500K to $600K. In Australia, CFOs and FDs in the same organization can make up to $600K, while the average salary is about $450K.
Top performers in a variety of domains, including as board engagement, external stakeholder relations, organizational strategy, and alignment, are frequently CEOs.
CEOs and other executives looking for new chances should highlight how they have improved service delivery within their company by implementing cutting-edge tactics and technologies. To get top pay and new career prospects, executives must also show that they can build team cultures and encourage collaboration in remote work situations.
General Manager, Retail (up to $510K)
Australia’s retail industry was significantly impacted by the epidemic, and customer prudence led to salary stability. Retail salaries vary widely; head office retail directors have an average salary of $153–408K, merchandise managers make an average salary of $408K, and general managers make an average salary of $204-510K.
Heads of design/creative directors ($140-255K), buying managers ($150-204K), group planning managers/directors ($160-300K), national operations managers ($153-306K), and planning managers ($140-204K) are some other retail positions that can pay over $200K. E-commerce managers are becoming more and more well-known, with the highest salary being reported to be above $200,000.
Finance & Accounting: Treasury Head ($410K)
Australian heads of Treasury hold some of the highest paying positions in the accountancy and finance industry. In Sydney, the average salary for a head of Treasury is $410K. Accounting professionals who want to work in treasury management can anticipate needing more than ten years of expertise in finance, banking, accounting, and/or internal company treasury.
Heads of taxation ($400K–$400K), risk ($400K–$400K), internal audit ($400K–$400K), group financial controllers ($280K–$300K), heads of internal audit ($300K), senior commercial managers/directors ($270K–$300K in organizations with turnover exceeding $300M), heads of risk ($300K), and managers/heads of financial planning/analysis ($230K) are among the other high-paying positions.
The highest incomes in professional practice are principals and directors in corporate finance ($220K), insolvency ($200K), and tax consultancy ($180K).
Property: Director of Development (up to $388K)
The top paying jobs in Australia’s real estate industry right now are development director positions, with average pay in Sydney ranging from $224 to $388K (but $306K is the highest normal income for development directors in Brisbane). While client-side project directors can earn an average compensation of $179-245K, development managers can expect to make between $133-255K.
The average income for acquisition managers with four or more years of experience is $204K, with the highest earners in Sydney earning up to $388K.
Project Delivery Director for Energy (up to $357K)
Project development directors in the renewable energy industry have the highest salaries in the energy sector. Sydney ($224–350K) and Melbourne ($260–$357K) have the highest incomes. A strategic strategy to be ready for the inherent uncertainties on large projects, as well as a collaborative approach to stakeholder relations, are some of the fundamental skills project development directors rely on to succeed in their professions.
Renewable energy also offers high-paying positions for grid connection managers ($173-250K) and construction managers ($153-230K).
The highest paying positions in transmission, distribution, and generation are held by principal design engineers ($180-200K) and engineering managers ($170-240K).
Construction: Up to $320K for a Construction Manager
There are numerous high-paying, in-demand positions in the construction industry in a variety of locations. Construction managers ($250–320K), project managers ($160–250K), senior estimators ($120–200K), site managers ($150–220K), and design managers ($180–240K) are the highest paying positions in the building industry.
In the civil construction industry, project managers often make between $160 and 210K, while construction managers typically make between $180 and 280K. A construction manager in the residential building industry typically makes between $160 and $220K, whereas a senior contracts administrator makes between $120-200K.
Sustainability: $310K or more for the head of sustainability
The significance of sustainability in organizations is increasing, as evidenced by the quick rise in positions and industry compensation. In Western Australia, heads of sustainability and environmental social responsibility can make up to $310K, while sustainability managers can make up to $230K.
Technology: CTO ($306K) and CIO
There are often two tracks on a tech wage trajectory. Salaries for many roles are rising steadily. Salary increases, however, tend to climb at even faster rates in places with high demand.
In the tech industry, several positions often pay between $150 and $200K. Nonetheless, the majority of Sydney’s usual income earners are in leadership roles; these individuals include CIOs ($306K), CTOs ($255K), and CISOs ($255K). Project directors ($260K), program managers ($210K), enterprise architects ($230K) in projects and change management, and senior project managers ($200K) are among the other high-paying tech positions. See our companion article to find out more about the highest paying IT careers.
Executive Director of Communications for Marketing and Digital ($300K)
With a mean income of $300K in Sydney, executive directors of communications in PR and communications have the most earning potential. The average income for marketing directors in Sydney is $220K. Other high-paying positions include directors of communications ($215K), bid managers ($180K), PR directors ($180K), and sponsorship/fundraising directors ($175K).
Human Resources: $300K HR Director or Head of HR
HR specialists are crucial consultants for many organizations that must manage the shifting commercial and industrial regulatory landscape, given the ongoing transformation of workplaces. As a result, there is a greater need for HR specialists with training and expertise. The largest income potential is for heads of HR/HR directors in companies with more than 1,000 workers; in Sydney, $280K is common, in Melbourne, $250K in Perth, and so on.
Additionally, heads of L&D/L&D ($224K) and heads of/directors of compensation and benefits ($225K) have high average yearly normal incomes.
State Manager ($300K) in banking
The banking industry is experiencing a surge in employment as more and more companies open up to provide a wide range of appealing career options.
In terms of highest paying positions, our most recent research indicates that state managers make an average of $300,000. Executive managers and department heads in fields like financial planning, credit, market and operational risk, compliance, anti-money laundering, and regulatory risk, on the other hand, often hold some of the highest paying positions in Australia in business and commercial lending as well as corporate and institutional lending. These positions often pay more than $200,000.
Medical Director, Life Sciences ($275K)
If you work in the life sciences, there are lots of career options. Medical directors ($275K), health economics/market access directors ($265K), heads of regulatory affairs ($200K), heads of drug safety ($200K), clinical directors/heads of clinical ($200K), and senior medical advisors ($195K) are the highest paid individuals in the life sciences sector nationally.
Mining: $270,000 for a Registered Mine Manager
Those who can establish a profitable mining career stand to earn a substantial amount of money. Among the highest paid professionals in the field in Western Australia are registered mine managers and exploration managers in metalliferous mining engineering, with typical incomes of up to $270K and $230K, respectively. Chief geologists and administrators of quarries and underground spaces can make up to $260K.
There are numerous more mining jobs with average pay of $200K or more in fixed plant maintenance, mobile plant maintenance, industrial construction, industrial design, OHS, and environmental.
Project Manager, Engineering (up to $255K)
Many engineering positions have typical incomes of more than $150K. Rail infrastructure employs some of Australia’s best engineers, including project managers (who make between 140 and 255K), systems assurance specialists (who make between 122 and 300K), and signaling specialists (who make between 102-250K).
An associate in civil and structural engineering normally makes $156-204K, whereas a building services manager typically makes between $143-204K.
General Manager of Facilities Management (up to $255K)
General managers are the highest paid employees in the FM industry, with an average salary of $153-255K. In the meantime, the maximum salary for bid managers, engineering managers, operations managers, and contracts managers is $153K.
Sales Director for Defense (up to $350K)
The best paying positions in Australia’s defense industry are held by sales directors ($200K–350K) and bid managers ($200–300K) who work in bids and business development in Canberra, thanks to a rise in defense spending by the Federal Government. With salaries of up to $300K, program managers and directors are the highest paid positions in the defense industry. Supply chain managers are in charge of logistics and can make up to $230,000 per year.
Sales: $250K Director of Sales
Directors of Sales are the highest paid sales employees in Australia, with an average salary of $250,000. The total yearly earnings might increase significantly when commission and other bonuses that are frequently included in sales packages are added. Business managers ($160K) and national sales managers ($180K) are two more top earners.
Insurance: $200K Head of Claims
Heads of claims and chief underwriters in the life insurance business make the most money in the insurance industry ($200K on average). In general insurance, heads of claims average $180,000. Underwriting managers in general insurance and account directors in insurance broking could anticipate typical incomes of at least $170K and $180K, respectively, in various Australian states.
Contact Centers: $200K for the Head of Customer Service
Heads of customer service and contact centers typically get the highest salaries in contact centers ($200K). Contact center managers ($135K), collections managers ($115K), operations managers ($140K), and sales managers ($110K) are among the other contact center positions with high compensation. There are plenty of career chances due to the skills deficit in Australia’s contact center employment industry.
Logistics: Director of Supply Chain ($200K)
Supply chain directors ($200K), operations managers in warehouse/distribution (often pay $140K), supply chain managers ($155K), and branch managers in international commerce ($150K in WA) are the top paying positions in Australia’s logistics industry.
Education: Principal (in non-government schools, up to $400K)
Education executives are becoming some of the highest paid individuals, which is not surprising given that Australia’s education market is expected to reach over $130 billion in 2022. Principals of non-government schools have reported earning as much as $400K, compared to up to $210K in government schools.
Directors of studies ($140K), heads of departments ($120K), and early childhood area managers ($110K) are among the other top salaries in the education sector.
See more of the highest paying jobs in Australia.
As you can see, a variety of industry areas in Australia are home to many of the best paying employment. There are many jobs that offer competitive income and a stable, long-term future, whether you’re interested in working in mining, education, retail, defense, or any other industry.
To learn more about the highest paying jobs in Australia, get the Hays Salary Guide. Our flagship study provides an informed picture of typical pay across 28 sectors and industries and is full of information that will help employers and candidates make better decisions in the workplace.
Australia’s highest paying jobs FAQ
Is $100,000 a year considered a respectable wage in Australia?
The precise job title and industry can have a significant impact on average income, and the cost of living in your area will determine how well your pay is doing overall. Still, $100,000 is more than the average Australian salary. The Hays salary checker allows you to compare your pay to that of other professionals in your field.
Which Australian job pays the most?
The three highest-paying positions in Australia, according to our statistics, are:
- Private practice equity partners earn more than $500K on average; the highest earning positions are top-tier Sydney equity partners, who can make up to $850K.
- The average taxable income of large company CEOs and managing directors is approximately $600,000.
- Although compensation in the retail industry varies widely, with reports ranging from $204K to $510K depending on the size of the organization, general managers in this sector can make up to $510K.
Although the highest-paying professions in Australia demand challenging qualifications and a great deal of experience, there are still plenty of mid- to senior-level positions in those areas that can be filled quickly and pay six figures. For example, an in-house general counsel in the legal sector usually makes between $250 and $400K+.
What will be Australia’s average wage in 2023?
Depending on the state, the average wage in Australia in 2023 will range from $65,000 to $80,000. With an average pay of $80,000, New South Wales is the best place to find greater wages, while Tasmania has the lowest average salary at $65,000. Between these points lie the other states and territories.