Highest Paying Jobs in Australia 2026: Top Salaries, Projections & Career Paths
Are you a job seeker, career changer, or student eyeing high-salary opportunities in Australia? With inflation at 3.8% and unions pushing 4%+ wage hikes (ABC, 2026), 2026 promises strong earning potential in healthcare, mining, tech, and executive roles. This guide ranks the top 10-15 highest paying jobs based on ABS, ATO, Robert Half, Hays, and Seek data, including 2026 forecasts adjusted for 4-6% growth. We'll cover entry paths, demand trends, no-degree trades, gender insights, urban vs rural pay, and actionable steps--even for US relocators via skilled visas.
Quick Answer: The Best Paying Job in Australia 2026
The single highest paying job? Surgeons, especially neurosurgeons, averaging $575K-$600K+ AUD (ATO/Advancemed data, projected to $600K+ with 2026 wage rises).
Top 3:
- Surgeons (e.g., Neurosurgeons): $575K-$600K+ (top earners $629K male vs $304K female gap).
- Anaesthetists: $386K entry to $650K+ senior (Remitly).
- CEOs (ASX-listed): $9M+ (e.g., Matt Comyn at CBA, ABC 2025).
Key Takeaways
- Surgeons reign supreme in healthcare dominance.
- Tech/mining surging with shortages (350K ICT gap by 2030).
- Sources: ATO, ABS, Robert Half 2026 projections.
Key Takeaways & Quick Summary
For quick scanners, here's the top 10 with 2026 forecasts (4-6% uplift from 2025 baselines via RBA/ABC wage trends):
| Rank | Job | Avg Salary 2026 (AUD) | Demand Trend | Key Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgeon (Neurosurgeon) | $600K+ | High | ATO/Advancemed |
| 2 | Anaesthetist | $400K-$650K | Steady | Remitly |
| 3 | CEO (ASX) | $5M-$9M+ | Variable | ABC/ASX |
| 4 | Mining/Petroleum Engineer (FIFO) | $250K-$400K | Boom (WA/QLD) | Create Digital |
| 5 | CFO/Finance Director | $1M-$3M | High | Hays |
| 6 | Cybersecurity Expert/CISO | $150K-$250K+ | 8% market growth | Redwolfrosch/Academy Xi |
| 7 | Investment Banker/Quant Analyst | $200K-$500K | Sydney/Melbourne | Robert Half |
| 8 | Orthodontist/Dentist (Rural) | $250K-$400K | Urban premium | Remitly |
| 9 | Actuary | $150K-$250K | Shortage-driven | UPH/Elite |
| 10 | Software Architect | $150K-$200K | 350K shortage | Canapprove |
Growth sectors: Healthcare (stable), Mining (FIFO premiums), Tech (cyber/IT).
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Australia 2026 (Ranked by Average Salary)
Diving deeper with breakdowns, demand stats, and paths.
Surgeons: The Unrivaled #1
Neurosurgeons top at $575K-$629K (ATO), ophthalmologists $524K-$592K, ENT $468K (Advancemed/Monarch). 2026 forecast: $600K+ amid 4% union pushes. Entry: 10-15 years med school + residency. Demand: Chronic shortages in specialists (ABS).
Anaesthetists: High Entry Pay
$311K starting to $651K senior (Remitly). Shorter hours than surgeons but intense shifts. 2026: $400K-$650K.
Mining & Petroleum Engineers
FIFO roles in WA/QLD hit $250K-$400K+ (Create Digital). Engineering managers among top earners; 20% premiums for remote. Path: Engineering degree + MEA certs.
CEOs/CFOs
ASX CEOs like CBA's Matt Comyn at $9M (ABC). CFOs $1M-$3M in finance. High risk, long hours.
IT/Cybersecurity Experts
Sydney hub CISOs $250K+; avg $120K-$150K (Redwolfrosch). Market to $5.8B by 2024, 8% growth (Academy Xi).
Emerging High-Payers: Tech, Cyber & Future Projections
Tech demand explodes: 350K ICT shortfall by 2030 (Canapprove). Cyber: $120K-$250K, pentestors $120K-$140K, architects $180K+. Actuaries scarce, $150K-$250K with IFRS demand (UPH/Elite). Software architects $150K-$200K. Case: Cyber market +8% annually.
Highest Paying Jobs Without a Degree (Trades & FIFO)
No uni? Trades shine: Builders/construction managers unlimited potential; mining tech huge remote pay (Builders Academy). 1st-year apprentices: $533-$854/wk, rising yearly (MIGAS). FIFO mining: $200K+ post-apprenticeship. 95% job placement.
Healthcare Deep Dive: Surgeons vs Anaesthetists vs Dentists/Orthodontists
| Role | Avg 2026 Salary | Training | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surgeon | $600K+ | 10-15 yrs | Top pay | Long hours, stress |
| Anaesthetist | $400K-$650K | 8-12 yrs | Better lifestyle | Shift work |
| Orthodontist | $250K-$400K | 6-10 yrs | Rural bonuses | Urban competition |
Rural dentists earn more due to shortages (Remitly). Surgeons edge anaesthetists on totals despite data variances (ATO vs Remitly).
Executive & Finance Roles: CEO vs CFO vs VC Partner
| Role | Avg 2026 Salary | Risk | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEO (ASX) | $5M-$9M | High | Massive rewards | Termination scrutiny |
| CFO | $1M-$3M | Medium | Stable corp | 80-hr weeks |
| VC Partner | $500K+ (millions carry) | High | Startup scene | Sydney-centric |
Case: Comyn's $9M (ABC).
Niche High-Earners: Pilots, Judges, Athletes & Influencers
Airline captains (Qantas) $200K-$300K; air traffic controllers similar. Judges: $400K+ with super. Athletes (AFL/NRL) top $1M+. Entertainers: Theatre $1K/wk to ads $20K (StarNow), but avg low. Influencers: Budgets +40% (Marketing Interactive/Vogue), top earners $500K+ via ROI shifts.
Gender Pay Gap, Women in Top Jobs & Wage Trends 2026
Male neurosurgeons double female earnings ($629K vs $304K, Advancemed). Women lead in actuaries/cyber (less gap). Unions push 4%+ vs 3.8% inflation (ABC/RBA); real wages lag till 2027. APS public sector tops at $300K+.
How to Land a Top Paying Job in Australia: Step-by-Step Guide
- Education: Med/eng degree or trades apprenticeship (3-4 yrs, paid).
- Certifications: Cyber (Academy Xi), Actuary exams.
- Locations: Sydney (tech/finance), WA/QLD (mining), rural (dentists).
- Visas: Subclass 190 for IT/engineers (Canapprove). Network via Seek/Hays.
- Upskill: Robert Half guides for negotiations.
Pros & Cons of Top Careers + Regional Comparison (Urban vs Rural/FIFO)
| Career | Pros | Cons | Urban (Sydney) | Rural/FIFO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surgeon | $600K, prestige | 15-yr training | $550K+ | +20% incentives |
| Mining Eng | FIFO pay boom | Remote | $200K | $300K+ |
| Cyber CISO | Demand surge | Certifications | $250K | N/A |
FIFO: High pay, isolation trade-off.
Reliable Sources for 2026 Salary Data
- ABS/ATO: Taxable incomes (e.g., surgeons $575K).
- Robert Half/Hays/Seek: 2026 guides (cyber $150K+).
- Fair Work: Apprentice wages. Contradictions? ATO lags recent Remitly (anaesthetists $650K). RBA forecasts 4% growth.
FAQ
What is the highest paying job in Australia 2026?
Surgeons ($600K+), led by neurosurgeons.
Surgeon salary Australia 2026 forecast?
$575K-$600K+, up 4-6% (ATO/Advancemed + RBA).
Highest paying jobs no degree Australia?
FIFO mining tech/builders ($200K+ post-trade).
Cyber security salary Australia 2026?
$120K-$250K+ (CISO highs, Redwolfrosch).
Best paying jobs for women in Australia?
Actuaries/cyber ($150K-$250K, smaller gaps).
FIFO mining jobs salary Australia?
$250K-$400K engineers/techs (WA/QLD).
Average CEO salary Australia ASX 2026?
$5M-$9M+ top tier (ABC).