Highest paying engineering jobs in Australia

Key Takeaways 

• Engineering Manager and Mining Engineer roles currently lead Australia’s engineering salaries, averaging $165k–$190k per year. 
• Most engineers earn between $95k–$115k, while specialised fields like mining, energy, and senior management can exceed $150k–$180k+. 
• Mining, Resources & Energy is the highest-paying engineering industry at $147k, followed by ICT at $137k. 
• Location plays a major role: Western Australia and Queensland offer the strongest earning potential due to large-scale mining and infrastructure projects. 
• Experience significantly boosts income. This includes senior engineers, technical leads, and managers reach six-figure salaries early, especially in high-demand areas such as electrical, civil, mechanical, and resource engineering. 

When it comes to driving progress in a country’s growth, Engineers are the backbone of it all. These roles are known to help shape the nation’s growth, from energy to construction, and they’re also known to be well-rewarded. 

If you’re curious to learn about how much you could potentially earn, this article covers the highest-paying engineering jobs in Australia, comparing salaries across specialisations and experience levels. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking to take the next step in your career, this guide will help you understand where your skills can earn the most and in which industries. 

• Highest paying engineering jobs in Australia 
• How much do engineers earn in Australia 
• Highest paid engineers 
• Explore more engineering salaries in Australia 

Highest paying engineering jobs in Australia 

Salaries vary based on experience and specialisation, but many senior engineers can earn six figures annually. There are actually a variety of Engineering career paths to look out for, covering industries such as mining, construction, energy, and manufacturing. 

Below is a table highlighting the top-paying engineering roles in Australia, with average salaries based on SEEK salary data. 

 
How much do engineers earn in Australia 

The average engineer salary in Australia typically sits between AUD $95k and $115k per year, but earnings can vary significantly depending on: 

• Experience: Senior engineers and managers earn significantly more than entry-level roles. 
• Specialisation: Mining, petroleum, and electrical engineers often command higher pay due to skill demand. 
• Location: Western Australia and Queensland tend to offer higher wages due to large mining and infrastructure projects. 

Entry-level engineers usually start closer to the $70k–$85k range, while mid-level professionals move into the $100k–$130k bracket. Senior engineers, managers, and technical leads can earn $150k to well above $180k, especially in high-demand industries.  Industries that offer the highest salaries for engineers in Australia are: 

• Mining, Resources & Energy with an average of $147,990 
• Information & Communication Technology with an average of $137,496 
• Government & Defence with an average of $110,872 
• Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics with an average of $106,875 
• Construction with an average of $96,521 

Highest paid engineers 

Among Australia’s many engineering careers, certain specialisations consistently stand out for their high earning potential, such as: 

Engineering Manager salary 

Engineering Managers oversee teams, budgets, and large-scale projects, often bridging technical expertise with business strategy. These roles may overlap with Program Manager positions, which also command strong pay due to their leadership scope and responsibility for project delivery. 

• Average salary: Around AUD $170k–$190k per year, depending on industry.
• Salaries increase with experience, especially in construction, energy, or tech firms. 

Mining Engineer salary 

Mining Engineers remain among Australia’s top earners as it’s one of the few engineering disciplines where six-figure earnings are common early in one’s career. Here’s how much a mining engineer makes in Australia: 

• Average salary: Approximately AUD $155k–$175k, with senior specialists earning more in remote regions or large mining corporations. 
• Factors that drive higher pay include fieldwork demands, safety risks, and the technical skills required for resource extraction and site management. 

Marine Engineer salary 

Marine Engineers, also known as Maritime Engineers, design, maintain, and operate ships and offshore systems essential to Australia’s trade and defense industries. Opportunities are especially strong along coastal states, where shipping and naval operations are major employers. 

• Average salary: Around AUD $105k–$125k per year. 
• Salaries are influenced by experience, vessel type, and offshore or defense assignments. 

Electrical Engineer salary 

Electrical Engineers are vital in renewable energy, power generation, and industrial automation. Electrical engineering remains a steady career choice within the broader engineering salary range in Australia. 

• Average salary: Between AUD $105k and $125k, with senior professionals earning more in large-scale infrastructure or energy companies. 
• Demand for specialists in renewable systems is currently on the rise. 

Civil Engineer salary 

Civil Engineers play a critical role in designing and maintaining infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings. This role offers long-term career stability with strong demand across both public and private sectors. 

• Average salary: AUD $95k–$115k, varying by state and project scale. 
• Salaries tend to be higher in urban infrastructure and transport development. 

Mechanical Engineer salary 

With continuous demand for innovation, mechanical engineering remains in demand in Australia. This role works across automotive, manufacturing, and energy sectors.  

• Average salary: AUD $90k–$110k, with opportunities to earn more in niche areas like robotics or advanced materials. 
• As industries evolve, mechanical engineers with automation or sustainability expertise are particularly sought after. 

Explore more engineering salaries in Australia 

Engineering remains one of Australia’s most secure and rewarding career paths. Whether you’re an experienced manager or a graduate exploring your options, there’s strong earning potential across all specialisations. 

Explore our career insights and compare up-to-date salaries across industries to plan your next career move. With our salary guides and job trends, we also offer opportunities that match your ambitions. 

Source: SEEK data, roles based on average advertised salaries of over $150,000 for job ads listed on SEEK from July 23 to June 24 to July 24 to June 25. A minimum threshold of job ads on SEEK is required for a role to appear in this table.