Australia's fastest growing salaries

Australia's fastest growing salaries
SEEK content teamupdated on 15 July, 2024
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Which industries and roles have seen the fastest salary growth on SEEK? We’ve unpacked the data so you can explore relevant opportunities for you.  

According to research for SEEK, the main reason people look for a new job is because they’re not getting paid enough. So, if you’re looking to earn more money, a role change could really pay off right now.  

We’ve put together a list of Australian industries and jobs that have experienced the biggest salary increases recently. Select an industry below to find out. 

Rank
Industry
Role
Average salary
Salary growth
Job ads
1
Legal
$222,385
Salary growth increase31%
2
Government & Defence
$127,239
Salary growth increase27%
3
Healthcare & Medical
$94,278
Salary growth increase24%
4
Administration & Office Support
$93,341
Salary growth increase20%
5
Healthcare & Medical
$226,906
Salary growth increase19%
7
Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics
$78,835
Salary growth increase18%
8
Banking & Financial Services
$97,256
Salary growth increase17%
9
Information & Communication Technology
$79,262
Salary growth increase17%
10
Banking & Financial Services
$106,982
Salary growth increase17%
11
Retail & Consumer Products
$64,200
Salary growth increase17%
12
Trades & Services
$50,500
Salary growth increase17%
13
Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics
$81,578
Salary growth increase15%
14
Hospitality & Tourism
$63,265
Salary growth increase15%
15
Trades & Services
$77,826
Salary growth increase15%
16
Construction
$91,760
Salary growth increase15%
17
Community Services & Development
$88,426
Salary growth increase15%
18
Healthcare & Medical
$231,450
Salary growth increase14%
19
Consulting & Strategy
$125,990
Salary growth increase14%
20
Trades & Services
$90,568
Salary growth increase14%

Why changing jobs can lead to higher pay increases 

Many people are trapped in a cycle of small, incremental salary increases that fail to keep up with their skills, experience and market value. Our research found those who changed roles had a 1.6x greater salary increase than those who stayed in the same job. By changing jobs, you can get out of this cycle and find ways to earn more.  

Companies are willing to pay higher salaries to attract new, highly skilled talent. They recognise top talent are their best asset, so be prepared to negotiate a higher salary if you've got valuable skills and experience. 

Internal pay structures can also limit your growth within a single organisation. Some companies have rigid salary bands that might restrict you from advancing beyond a certain level, regardless of your performance or contributions.  

Over time, salary increases may become minimal or even nonexistent, leaving you feeling undervalued and unmotivated. By moving to a new company, you can reset your salary and regain momentum in your career, opening up the possibility for more significant pay increases in the future. 

Explore salaries 

Get the latest salary information for a range of roles and industries so you can see how your current job measures up and find the right career path for you. 

Source: Independent research conducted by Nature of behalf of SEEK, interviewing 4800 Australian candidates annually, Sep 2023 - Jan 2024. 

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