Highest paying jobs in Australia
The 30 best-paid groups of jobs in Australia, ranked by median full-time earnings. Pay is published for groups of related jobs, so each row lists every career that shares its figure.
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Ranked by median pay
Anaesthetist: $431,236
Hold a degree: 97%
Other Medical Practitioners: $260,676
Hold a degree: 96%
Dermatologist, Emergency Medicine Specialist, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Ophthalmologist, Pathologist, Radiation Oncologist, Radiologist
Surgeons: $203,060
Hold a degree: 99%
Cardiothoracic Surgeon, General Surgeon, Neurosurgeon, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Otolaryngologist, Paediatric Surgeon, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Urologist, Vascular Surgeon
Construction Project Manager: $195,052
Hold a degree: 43%
Project Builder: $195,052
Hold a degree: 13%
Physicians: $188,240
Hold a degree: 96%
Cardiologist, Endocrinologist, Gastroenterologist, General Medicine Physician, Geriatrician, Haematologist, Intensive Care Specialist, Medical Oncologist, Nephrologist, Neurologist, Paediatrician, Public Health Physician, Respiratory Physician, Rheumatologist
Commissioned Officers (Management): $184,184
Hold a degree: 24%
Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Generation Plant Technicians: $183,664
Hold a degree: 11%
Chemical Plant Operator, Gas or Petroleum Production Technician, Power Generation Plant Operator
Engineering Manager: $182,988
Hold a degree: 72%
Mining Engineers: $182,936
Hold a degree: 86%
Barrister: $181,740
Hold a degree: 91%
Police Prosecutor: $181,740
Hold a degree: 91%
Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator: $177,372
Hold a degree: 3%
Marine Transport Masters, Officers and Technicians: $174,980
Hold a degree: 14%
Marine Engineer, Marine Pilot, Marine Surveyor, Master Fisher, Ship's Master, Ship's Officer
Chief Information and Chief Information Security Officers: $172,120
Hold a degree: 73%
Chief Information Officer, Chief Information Security Officer
ICT Managers: $172,120
Hold a degree: 60%
ICT Operations Manager, ICT Project Manager, ICT Service Delivery Manager
Dentists and Dental Specialists: $168,064
Hold a degree: 90%
Train and Tram Drivers: $156,052
Hold a degree: 10%
Architectural Technician: $153,608
Hold a degree: 24%
Maintenance Planner: $153,608
Hold a degree: 17%
Mining Supervisor: $153,608
Hold a degree: 7%
Other Engineering Technicians: $153,608
Hold a degree: 24%
Biomedical Technician, Metallurgical or Materials Technician, Non-destructive Testing Technician
Policy and Planning Manager: $153,140
Hold a degree: 77%
Corporate Services Manager: $152,464
Hold a degree: 49%
University Lecturers and Tutors: $152,048
Hold a degree: 98%
Geoscientists and Hydrologists: $151,528
Hold a degree: 96%
Structural Steel Construction Workers: $151,320
Hold a degree: 8%
Construction Rigger: $151,320
Hold a degree: 5%
Driller: $151,216
Hold a degree: 4%
Miners and Shot Firers: $151,216
Hold a degree: 3%
Highest paying jobs without a degree
Groups where fewer than half the workers hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Many are reached through TAFE, an apprenticeship or training on the job.
Construction Project Manager: $195,052
Hold a degree: 43%
Project Builder: $195,052
Hold a degree: 13%
Commissioned Officers (Management): $184,184
Hold a degree: 24%
Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Generation Plant Technicians: $183,664
Hold a degree: 11%
Chemical Plant Operator, Gas or Petroleum Production Technician, Power Generation Plant Operator
Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator: $177,372
Hold a degree: 3%
Marine Transport Masters, Officers and Technicians: $174,980
Hold a degree: 14%
Marine Engineer, Marine Pilot, Marine Surveyor, Master Fisher, Ship's Master, Ship's Officer
Train and Tram Drivers: $156,052
Hold a degree: 10%
Architectural Technician: $153,608
Hold a degree: 24%
Maintenance Planner: $153,608
Hold a degree: 17%
Mining Supervisor: $153,608
Hold a degree: 7%
Other Engineering Technicians: $153,608
Hold a degree: 24%
Biomedical Technician, Metallurgical or Materials Technician, Non-destructive Testing Technician
Corporate Services Manager: $152,464
Hold a degree: 49%
Structural Steel Construction Workers: $151,320
Hold a degree: 8%
Construction Rigger: $151,320
Hold a degree: 5%
Driller: $151,216
Hold a degree: 4%
Miners and Shot Firers: $151,216
Hold a degree: 3%
Electrical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians: $148,408
Hold a degree: 25%
Electrical Engineering Draftsperson, Electrical Engineering Technician
Supply and Distribution Manager: $147,368
Hold a degree: 34%
Automotive Electrician: $146,016
Hold a degree: 2%
Electric Vehicle Technician: $146,016
Hold a degree: 2%
Electrical Distribution Trades Worker: $142,012
Hold a degree: 2%
Transport Service Managers: $137,904
Hold a degree: 17%
Fleet Manager, Railway Station Manager, Transport Company Manager
Air Transport Professionals: $137,852
Hold a degree: 38%
Aeroplane Pilot, Air Traffic Controller, Flight Instructor, Helicopter Pilot
Metal Fitters and Machinists: $135,512
Hold a degree: 3%
Fitter (General), Fitter and Turner, Fitter-Welder, Metal Machinist (First Class)
Agricultural Mechanic: $135,512
Hold a degree: 4%
Technical Sales Representatives: $134,992
Hold a degree: 23%
Sales Representative (Industrial Products), Sales Representative (Medical and Pharmaceutical Products)
Agronomist: $134,992
Hold a degree: 49%
Other Engineering Technicians: $134,628
Hold a degree: 25%
Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson, Mechanical Engineering Technician
Specialist Police Officer: $133,120
Hold a degree: 36%
General Duties Police Officer: $133,120
Hold a degree: 30%
Median full-time earnings before tax, from Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026). Half of the full-time workers in the group earn more and half earn less. Source