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The Highest Paying Jobs in Australia: Insights from the Hays Salary Guide 2025-26
According to the latest Hays Salary Guide for 2025-26, the landscape of high-paying roles in Australia is more lucrative than ever, with some positions offering salaries exceeding $700,000 per year. The guide surveyed over 12,000 professionals and hiring managers, uncovering key insights into the salary dynamics across various sectors.
Key Findings
- The national average salary in Australia stands at $141,900.
- A significant majority, nearly two-thirds of Australian workers, are contemplating leaving their current positions within the next year, driven by the pursuit of better pay, benefits, and career growth opportunities.
Matthew Dickason, CEO of Hays APAC, highlighted that the data indicates notable disparities across different industries, particularly in salary offerings.
Top Earning Professions
The survey revealed that high-level executives dominate the pay scale, particularly in commercial sectors. Here are some of the roles commanding the highest salaries:
-
CEO and Managing Director:
- $700,000+ (especially in companies with turnovers of $500 million or more).
-
Head of Treasury:
- Up to $410,000 in Sydney, with lower figures in other regions.
-
General Manager of Sales and Sales Director:
- Up to $400,000 in Sydney and Melbourne.
-
Head of HR and HR Director:
- Potentially earning $400,000.
-
Commercial Construction Manager:
- Ranked at $400,000.
-
Property Development Director:
- Salaries reaching $388,000.
-
Chief Information Officer:
- Up to $375,000.
-
Defence Operations Director:
- Earns around $360,000.
-
Banking and Finance Head of Quantitative Risk:
- Can obtain $350,000.
- Mining Jumbo Operator:
- Approximately $330,000.
The aforementioned figures predominantly reflect salaries in Sydney, with some exceptions in different states.
Salary Growth Trends
The Hays report also identifies the sectors demonstrating the most significant year-on-year salary growth:
- Financial and Insurance Services: 12.9% growth.
- Construction: 11.7% growth.
- IT/Tech System Design: 9.6% growth.
- Legal Sector: 7.8% growth.
- Mining: 6.9% growth.
Among the states, Queensland recorded the highest salary growth, with an average salary increase of 5.6% to $139,000. New South Wales reported an average salary of $143,800, trailing closely behind with a 5.1% growth. In comparison, Victoria had an average salary of $142,300, while Western Australia boasted the highest average at $147,200.
Conclusion
The insights from the Hays Salary Guide for 2025-26 reveal a competitive job market in Australia, with a notable trend towards higher salaries, especially in executive roles and thriving sectors. As workers seek better compensation and career development, companies may need to adjust their remuneration strategies to attract and retain top talent.
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