The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released data from the 2022-23 tax returns revealing the highest-paying trades in Australia. This comprehensive analysis highlights the lucrative opportunities within the trades sector, showcasing average annual incomes that exceed $135,000 for top earners.
Top Earning Trades
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Coal Miners
- Average Income: $135,026
- Number of Workers: 41,924
- Predominantly male workforce with their average earnings at $139,698.
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Builder Construction Project Managers
- Average Income: $132,992
- Number of Workers: 74,184
- Male project managers earned around $135,767 yearly.
- Drilling Plant Operators
- Average Income: $132,272
- Number of Workers: 11,087
Electricians, a vital trade in the sector, earned an average salary of $111,035, with 81,452 electricians employed across the country. Apprentice electricians received approximately $52,385 annually.
A broader look at other common trades reveals:
- Plumbers: $86,722 (apprentice: $44,193)
- Carpenters and Joiners: $78,501
- Bricklayers: $69,816, (apprentice: $40,589)
- Concreters: $77,564
- Roof Tilers: $63,024
- Plasterers: $68,207
Highest Paying Tradie Jobs
Here’s a list of the top ten highest-paid trades based on the ATO’s data:
- Coal Miner – $135,026
- Builder Construction Project Manager – $132,992
- Drilling Plant Operator – $132,272
- Electrical Lines Worker – $131,152
- Mining Blasting Worker – $126,320
- Lift Mechanic – $122,174
- Crane Operator (Construction) – $121,782
- Construction Rigger – $118,665
- Maintenance Fitter – $116,734
- Electrician (General) – $110,740
Overall Income Distribution
Interestingly, the report also noted the top-earning professions in Australia, which are predominantly within the medical field. Surgeons topped the list with an impressive average income of $472,475, followed by anaesthetists at $447,193 and financial dealers earning $355,233.
For context, the average income for Australians in 2022-23 was reported at $74,240, while the median income stood at $55,868, indicating a significant disparity between general earnings and those of high-earning trades and professions.
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In conclusion, the ATO data underscores the significant earning potential in various trades, particularly in sectors like mining and construction, where skilled roles continue to offer lucrative salaries amidst a broader economic landscape.
