Highest Paying Jobs in Australia 2024-2025: Salaries and Key Insights
Surgeons lead Australia's top earners with an average taxable income of AUD$394,000, based on ATO data analyzed by MedRecruit (2024). IT leaders like CIOs pull in up to AUD$375,000 in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra per Hays, while captain pilots earn AUD$200,000-$400,000+ via TerraTern. Actuaries averaged AUD$150,000 (0-4 years post-qual) to AUD$225,000 (8-10 years) in SKL's 2018 survey (historical data), and senior software engineers make AUD$150,000-$280,000+ per WhatIsTheSalary (2026).
We've ranked the top 10 for job seekers, career changers, students, and migrants looking at high-salary paths in tech, healthcare, or finance--especially through upskilling or the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189). This advice targets mid-to-senior roles; entry-level positions without qualifications or suitable visas likely won't reach these levels.
Top 10 Best Paying Careers in Australia Right Now
Healthcare dominates with surgeons at AUD$394,000 average taxable income (MedRecruit, 2024), followed by IT execs like CIOs up to AUD$375,000 (Hays). Neurosurgeons range AUD$400,000-$800,000 for mid-level (5-10 years) (MedRecruit, 2024), captains earn AUD$200,000-$400,000+ (TerraTern), and senior software engineers pull AUD$150,000-$280,000+ (WhatIsTheSalary, 2026).
- Surgeons (AUD$394k avg, ATO Taxation Statistics 2021-22 (2024))
- CIO/CTO/CISO (up to AUD$375k Sydney/Melbourne/Canberra, Hays)
- Neurosurgeons (AUD$400k-$800k mid-level, MedRecruit, 2024)
- Pilots (Captains AUD$200k-$400k+, TerraTern)
- Senior Software Engineers (AUD$150k-$280k+, WhatIsTheSalary, 2026)
- Actuaries (AUD$150k 0-4yrs post-qual, AUD$225k 8-10yrs, SKL 2018 historical)
- Investment Bankers (AUD$150k-$500k senior roles, Quintedge, 2025)
- Finance Executives (AUD$250k-$350k avg, Michael Page)
- Head of Information Security (up to AUD$260k, Hays)
- Orthopedic Surgeons (high demand, varies by private/public, Susan Hill, 2025)
Healthcare dominates because of serious shortages--Australia needs 200,000 more workers by 2050 (IAH, 2025). A mid-career neurosurgeon might jump to AUD$400,000-$800,000 after 5-10 years, though keep in mind older data like the actuaries (2018) may not reflect current inflation. Healthcare pays best because demand stays high; tech gives migrants a faster way in.
Highest Paying Industries: Healthcare vs Tech vs Finance
Healthcare outpaces the rest, with surgeons at AUD$394,000 avg (MedRecruit, 2024) amid 1.7M employed and a 200,000-worker gap by 2050 (Australian Govt Health Workforce, IAH, 2025). Tech comes next: CIOs reach AUD$375,000, Head InfoSec hits AUD$260,000 (Hays); senior software roles bring AUD$150k-$280k+ (WhatIsTheSalary, 2026). Finance execs average AUD$250k-$350k (Michael Page), with investment bankers up to AUD$500k at senior levels (Quintedge, 2025).
Shortages push healthcare salaries up; tech booms in cloud and AI; finance rewards deal-makers. Post-COVID stability helped top roles (First National, 2021 historical--market may have changed). Migrants should target healthcare and tech shortages for visas. Healthcare pays best because demand stays high; tech gives migrants a faster way in.
Healthcare Highest Paying Roles Breakdown
Neurosurgeons earn AUD$400k-$800k mid-career (5-10 years, MedRecruit, 2024); general surgeons vary by public/private work and location (Australian Medical Placements, 2024). Only 1,271 surgeons served 26M people in 2016 data (older workforce stats, Australian Medical Placements, 2024). The barriers are steep: 10+ years of training (IAH, 2025).
Tech Jobs with Highest Pay in Major Cities
Seniors in Sydney and Melbourne hit AUD$150k-$280k+ (cloud and AI add premiums, WhatIsTheSalary, 2026); CIOs reach AUD$375k there plus Canberra (Hays). City premiums are real; smaller firms pay less.
Salary Comparison Table: Top Jobs Side-by-Side
| Job | Avg/Mid/High Salary (Source/Year) | Entry Req (Degrees/Training) | Location Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgeon | AUD$394k avg (MedRecruit/ATO, 2024) | 10+ yrs med school (IAH, 2025) | Private > public; varies by state |
| CIO | Up to AUD$375k (Hays) | IT leadership exp | Sydney/Melbourne/Canberra highs |
| Pilot (Captain) | AUD$200k-$400k+ (TerraTern) | CPL + experience | Long-haul premiums |
| Software Engineer (Senior) | AUD$150k-$280k+ (WhatIsTheSalary, 2026) | CS degree + seniority | Sydney/Melbourne > regional |
High earners need years of prep; tech offers a faster route than medicine. Healthcare pays best because demand stays high; tech gives migrants a faster way in.
How Salaries Vary: Experience, Location, and Other Factors
Experience drives big pay jumps: Neurosurgeons earn AUD$400k-$800k at 5-10 years vs juniors starting lower (MedRecruit, 2024); pilot captains beat first officers, with Virgin raising pay post-2025 (TerraTern); software seniors make AUD$150k-$280k (WhatIsTheSalary, 2026); actuaries go from AUD$150k (0-4yrs) to AUD$225k (8-10yrs post-qual, SKL 2018 historical).
Sydney and Melbourne command premiums (e.g., CIO AUD$375k, Hays); public versus private splits healthcare pay. Law contrasts sharply: juniors average ~AUD$75k at some firms (Lawyers Weekly, 2025). Check your own quals for realistic jumps. Healthcare pays best because demand stays high; tech gives migrants a faster way in.
Steps to Land a Top Salary Job in Australia (Especially for Migrants)
- Review free surveys: SEEK, Hays 2024, Michael Page, Robert Half, etc. (Resume-Solutions, 2025).
- Match your skills to shortages (healthcare needs 200k by 2050, IAH, 2025; tech demand stays high).
- Verify your quals meet Australian standards (ImmigrationAgentAdelaide, 2025).
- Go for visas like Skilled Independent 189 for high-skill roles (Fair Work Australia).
- Upskill: 10+ yrs for medicine (IAH, 2025); certs for IT and finance.
If you lack quals, start entry-level (e.g., healthcare AUD$50k-$63k median, IAH, 2025). Healthcare pays best because demand stays high; tech gives migrants a faster way in.
Evidence Pack: Job Decision Matrix
| Job | Salary Range (Source) | Demand/Shortage | Entry Barrier (Years/Training) | Best For (Migrants/Locals, Cities) | Risks/Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surgeons | AUD$394k avg (MedRecruit, 2024) | 200k needed by 2050 (IAH, 2025) | 10+ yrs med | Migrants w/ quals; major cities | Public/private vary; competitive |
| CIO | Up to AUD$375k (Hays) | High in tech | Leadership exp | Sydney/Melbourne; locals/migrants | City-dependent |
| Pilots (Captains) | AUD$200k-$400k+ (TerraTern) | Shortages ongoing | CPL + hrs | All; long-haul | Experience ramp-up |
| Software Eng Senior | AUD$150k-$280k+ (WhatIsTheSalary, 2026) | Cloud/AI boom | Degree + seniority | Migrants; Sydney/Melbourne | Smaller firms lower |
| Actuaries | AUD$150k-$225k (SKL 2018 historical) | Stable | Post-qual exp | Finance pros | Older data |
| Neurosurgeons | AUD$400k-$800k mid (MedRecruit, 2024) | High demand | 5-10+ yrs | Specialists | Location/reputation vary |
| Investment Bankers | AUD$150k-$500k (Quintedge, 2025) | Deal-driven | Finance degree + exp | Cities; experienced | Bonus variability |
| Finance Execs | AUD$250k-$350k (Michael Page) | Steady | C-suite path | Migrants w/ skills | Market shifts |
When These High-Paying Paths Might Not Fit
These roles work for people with 5-10+ years of training; without it, entry healthcare pays AUD$50k-$63k (IAH, 2025). Competitive fields like dermatology accept <5% of applicants (IAH, 2025); IT varies by firm size. Public versus private and location create gaps; visa limits apply for migrants.
Apply This to Your Situation
- Do you have 5-10+ years of specialized training?
- Targeting Sydney or Melbourne for tech premiums?
- Checking the latest SEEK or Hays surveys?
FAQ
What are surgeons' average salaries in Australia?
AUD$394,000 taxable avg per ATO via MedRecruit (2024); varies by specialty (e.g., neurosurgeons AUD$400k-$800k mid-career), experience, public/private.
How much do software engineers earn in Sydney?
Seniors make AUD$150k-$280k+ in Sydney and Melbourne (cloud/AI, WhatIsTheSalary, 2026); ASX firms 150-200k, smaller less.
What are top IT executive salaries?
CIO up to AUD$375k (Sydney/Melbourne/Canberra), CISO to AUD$360k (Hays).
Pilot captain pay in Australia?
AUD$200k-$400k+ (Qantas long-haul), Virgin raises to AUD$277k base post-2025 (TerraTern).
Best free salary surveys for Australia?
SEEK, Hays 2024, Michael Page, Robert Half, Randstad, Indeed, Glassdoor (Resume-Solutions, 2025).
Check the latest SEEK salary index and match your skills to a shortage area for your next move.
