Highest Paying Jobs in Australia 2026: Top Salaries, Careers & Forecasts
Are you a job seeker, career changer, migrant, or student eyeing high-salary opportunities Down Under? Australia's job market in 2026 promises lucrative rewards, especially in healthcare, mining, tech, and executive roles. Drawing from ABS wage data, Seek job reports, ATO tax stats, and forecasts from AECC Global, MedRecruit, and PropertyUpdate, this guide ranks the top 10-15 highest paying jobs. We'll cover projected salaries, city breakdowns (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, WA, Brisbane), entry paths--including no-degree options--and 2030 trends. Compare surgeons vs. lawyers vs. CEOs, spot shortages for women and migrants, and get actionable steps to land these gigs.
Quick Answer: The Best Paying Job in Australia 2026
Neurosurgeons and top surgeons reign as Australia's single best paying job in 2026, with projected earnings of AUD $394,000–$700,000+ annually (up to $1M+ in private practice). Private practice boosts incomes via high-volume procedures, per Walshs and upGrad data.
- #1: Surgeons (e.g., Neurosurgeons): $394k–$700k+ (Sydney premiums push to $600k+; AECC Global, MedRecruit).
- #2: Anaesthetists: $386k–$850k+ (private work in Melbourne/Sydney; ABC, PropertyUpdate).
- #3: CEOs (Top ASX Executives): $1M–$9M+ (e.g., Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn at $9M in 2024, trending stable; ACSI via ABC).
City variations: Sydney surgeons average 10-15% higher than Perth due to demand; WA mining execs rival via bonuses.
Key Takeaways: Highest Paying Jobs Australia 2026 at a Glance
For quick scanners, here's the top 10 by average projected salary (2026 forecasts adjusted from ATO/ABS/Seek data):
| Rank | Job | Avg Salary Range (AUD) | Key Locations | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgeons (Neurosurgeons) | $394k–$700k+ | Sydney, Melbourne | MBBS + 10+ yrs specialist training |
| 2 | Anaesthetists | $386k–$850k+ | Sydney, Perth | MBBS + anaesthesia fellowship |
| 3 | CEOs/ASX Executives | $1M–$9M+ | Sydney | MBA/Exec experience, networks |
| 4 | Mining/Petroleum Engineers | $250k–$450k | Perth, WA | Engineering degree + site experience |
| 5 | Investment Bankers | $300k–$600k+ | Sydney | Finance degree, CFA |
| 6 | Judges/Govt Roles | $400k–$500k | National | Law degree + judicial appt. |
| 7 | Pilots (Qantas) | $200k–$400k+ | Sydney, Brisbane | CPL + airline experience |
| 8 | Dentists | $250k–$500k | Melbourne | BDS + practice |
| 9 | Tech Leads (CIOs, Software Architects) | $250k–$375k | Sydney, Melbourne | CS degree + certs |
| 10 | Lawyers (Top Partners) | $300k–$600k | Sydney | LLB + partnership track |
Sources: AECC, MedRecruit, Walshs, ATO, Hays.
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Australia 2026 (Ranked by Average Salary)
1. Surgeons & Medical Specialists (e.g., Neurosurgeons, Orthopedics)
Neurosurgeons top ATO lists at $575k–$700k+ (PropertyUpdate, upGrad). Orthopedics hit $600k+ via private ops. Case: Sydney neurosurgeon in private practice earns $1M+ (Walshs). Entry: MBBS (Uni Melbourne) + 10-15 yrs training. Demand surges 20% by 2030 (Seek).
2. Anaesthetists
$386k–$850k+ (AECC, MedRecruit). High due to procedural volume. Case: Melbourne anaesthetist with overtime/private: $650k (ABC). Path: MBBS (Uni Sydney) + 7-yr fellowship.
3. CEOs & Top ASX Executives
Up to $9M (Comyn, CommBank; ABC 2025). Median $194k–$1M+ for ASX200 (ACSI). Case: Super fund CEOs over $1M rising (Investment Magazine 2026). Needs: Exec track, MBA.
4. Mining & Petroleum Engineers (WA/Perth)
$250k–$450k with FIFO bonuses (Monarch). Perth premiums 20% over national. Shortages drive pay (PSS Removals).
5. Investment Bankers (Sydney)
$300k–$600k+ bonuses (Mergers & Inquisitions). Big 4 banks lead debt markets.
6. Judges & Highest Paid Government Jobs
$400k–$500k projections (ATO). Stable, prestigious.
7. Pilots (Qantas) & Air Traffic Controllers
Qantas captains: $200k–$400k+ bonuses amid shortages (PPL Prep). Controllers: $150k–$250k.
8. Dentists & Other Medical Practitioners
$250k–$650k (MedRecruit). Private boosts.
9. Top Tech Jobs (Software Architects Sydney, IT Managers Melbourne, CIOs)
CIOs: $375k Sydney (Hays). Architects: $250k+ (Clicks IT).
10. Lawyers (Partners in Top Firms) & Construction Managers (Brisbane)
Partners: $300k–$600k. Managers: $200k–$300k (Amberstudent).
City-by-City Salary Breakdown: Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane 2026
| Job | Sydney | Melbourne | Perth/WA | Brisbane |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surgeons | $450k–$700k+ | $400k–$650k | $394k–$600k | $380k–$550k |
| Mining Engineers | $250k | $220k | $300k–$450k+ | $240k |
| Investment Bankers | $400k–$600k+ | $350k | N/A | $300k |
| IT Managers/CIOs | $300k–$375k | $275k–$370k | $260k | $250k |
Sydney leads finance/tech (Hays); Perth mining (AECC). Case: Sydney banker bonuses double base (Clicks IT).
Best Paying Jobs No Degree Required in Australia 2026 (Trades & Entry-Level)
Shortages in trades (AVIE, PSS) yield $80k–$200k+ without degrees:
- Elevator Techs: $150k+ (BlueCollarRecruiter).
- Mining Techs/Welders: $110k–$200k FIFO (BuildersAcademy).
- Electricians/Plumbers: $80k–$110k + OT (AVIE).
- Traffic Controllers: Up to $200k claims debunked to ~$100k base + allowances (ABC).
- Entry: 3-4 yr apprenticeships (BuildersAcademy).
Checklist: 1. Cert III/IV via TAFE. 2. Target regional visas (190/491). 3. FIFO for mining.
Surgeons vs Lawyers vs CEOs: Salary Comparison Australia 2026
| Role | Avg Salary | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgeons | $394k–$1M+ | Stable demand, private upside (Walshs) | 15+ yrs training, stress |
| Lawyers (Partners) | $300k–$600k | Flexible hours | Partnership rare, billables |
| CEOs | $1M–$9M | Equity/bonuses | High pressure, job risk (ABC) |
Surgeons outpace lawyers via private practice; CEOs spike via incentives but volatile (PropertyUpdate).
Highest Paying Jobs for Women & Future Trends to 2030
Gender gap persists: Male neurosurgeons earn 2x females (Advancemed). Women excel in tech ($250k+ CIOs) and mining (PSS). Trends: Health/tech shortages to 2030 (Seek/ABS); AI boosts software architects 25%.
Case: Women in WA mining engineers hit $300k via scholarships.
How to Land a High-Paying Job in Australia 2026: Step-by-Step Guide
- Assess Skills: Degree for meds/execs; trades for no-degree.
- Target Shortages: Health (MBBS), tech (certs), trades (apprenticeships; PSS).
- Upskill: TAFE for trades, MBBS for surgeons.
- Visa Paths: 190/491 for trades/migrants (AVIE).
- Apply: Seek, LinkedIn; network ASX for execs.
Migrants: Skills assessments via VETASSESS.
Pros & Cons of Top Paying Careers in Australia
| Career | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Medical | $500k+, job security | Long training, burnout |
| Trades | No degree, $150k+ quick | Shift work, physical |
| Execs | $9M potential | Volatility, hours |
Pilots: Bonuses amid shortages; CEOs: Declining parachutes (ABC).
FAQ
What is the average surgeon salary in Australia 2026?
$394k–$700k+, up to $1M private (AECC, Walshs).
Anaesthetist income Australia projections 2026?
$386k–$850k+ (MedRecruit, AECC).
Mining engineer salary WA/Perth 2026?
$250k–$450k+ FIFO (Monarch, AECC).
Best paying jobs no degree Australia 2026?
Elevator techs $150k+, mining techs $200k (BlueCollar, AVIE).
CEO compensation Australia/ASX 2026?
$1M–$9M top-tier (ABC, ACSI).
Salary comparison surgeons vs lawyers Australia?
Surgeons $500k+ > Lawyers $400k partners (PropertyUpdate, Walshs).