20 highest-paying jobs in your state

Whether you’re looking for a new job – or you just want to know what a certain job could earn – it’s often useful to get a picture of what roles are paying across the country.

And when it comes to salary conversations, knowledge can give you a lot more bargaining power. That’s why we’ve gathered the latest salary data to show you the highest-paying jobs in your industry and state.

Top-paying tech jobs

The ICT industry is home to the highest-paying role type – Architects (with an average salary $147,735).

Candidate supply for this role type is considered low compared to the five-year average, so there may be more opportunities for you to stand out.

Other high-paying role types in the industry include Management ($137,984), Team Leaders ($127,859) and Product Management & Development ($126,586).

Katherine Mitchell, Director of Talent Acquisition at technology provider Thales Australia, says a candidate shortage is contributing to the lift in salaries.

Mitchell says candidate availability isn’t keeping pace with demand, particularly in senior ICT roles. “We’ve also seen very little migration due to travel restrictions post-COVID, so employers are faced with a small pool of ICT talent.”

Expect more from mining and engineering

The Mining, Resources and Energy industry has six of the top 20 highest-paying jobs in Australia. This includes number two on the list – Management ($139,322). Other high-paying role types in the industry include Surveying ($128,153) and Mining – Operations ($126,247).

David George, Managing Director at PageGroup, says with commodity prices on the rise, workers in the Mining, Resources and Energy industry expect salaries to reflect this growth.

“We’re also seeing wage inflation in the market due to a significant skills shortage and fewer candidates, particularly since COVID,” he says.

George adds that uncertainty surrounding state border closures has contributed to salary growth across the sector.

“There’s typically a lot of fly-in fly-out work in Mining and, when iron ore prices are hot, as they are at the moment in Western Australia, the industry can usually draw talent from across the country,” he says. “This is much harder at the moment, because people are conscious of getting stuck if a border closes. All of these factors have had an impact on salaries over the past year.”

The Engineering industry also accounts for three of the 20 highest-paying role types – Management ($137,530), Project Management ($127,619) and Systems Engineering ($124,628).

“There’s a lot of government infrastructure spend at the moment, which is impacting the need for engineers.”

What does this mean for your next salary conversation?

Understanding the latest salary trends for your role type can help you go in more informed for your next job interview or performance review. However, you still need to show why you’re worth the money.

"There may be a skills shortage, but you need to impress,” says Mitchell. “If you’re applying for a new job, show that you've done your homework on the organisation and how your skills are aligned with the role. Be clear about your achievements and show what you can offer the organisation."

The candidate shortage in Mining and Engineering may also give you more salary bargaining power in your current or future role, but George says employers are looking for a clear return on investment.

“In the mining and engineering space, I suggest emphasising the size and the complexity of the projects you’ve worked on and how successful they’ve been. What did you contribute to the success?

“There’s a lot of advancement in industries like mining and engineering and a real drive to do things more efficiently and more sustainably,” George adds. “Demonstrate how you add value.”

Take these tips on board for your next salary conversation. If your role is among the highest-paying in your state, be ready to show your current or future employer why you’re worth every cent.