20 Central Qld teens earned at least two grand a week

New data has revealed the areas where teenagers are raking in the biggest bucks and earning eye-watering salaries some will only ever dream of. See our interactive map.

There are 1900 Australian teens earning two grand a week, find out what work they’re doing.

There were 20 Central Queensland teenagers earning a six-figure salary in 2021, with 16 in Mackay and four in the Isaac region.

The latest Census figures show almost 2000 young people aged between 16 and 19 years old brought in a six-figure income across the county.

The young high earners were raking in an average $104,000, well and truly more than double Australia’s $42,000 median annual income.

So, which industries are bringing home the cheddar?

Hays Recruitment Mackay manager Sarah Raines said around the Mackay region it was mining supporting rich teens.

“For that age range, I don’t see any other roles in town that are paying that,” she said.

There were 1900 teenagers earning six-figure incomes in 2021.

“(It has) entry-level trade roles paying $90,000 to $100,000.

“(With the biggest names being) BHP, Glencore and Anglo-American.”

Ms Raines said in her five years as a recruitment manager, she knew young men in mining could “name their price”.

However, she said mining salaries had gone down and were “not as competitive” over the past 18 months.

While Ms Raines said a sales role could reach six-figures if high commissions supplemented a good salary, she thought most of the 20 highest earning teens in the region would be mine workers.

Worker shortages since the pandemic are also encouraging employers to headhunt graduating talent.

Such trends are showing university education is not the sole route to wealth at a young age.

Check out our interactive map on where Australia’s young and rich live.

The rise of online ventures in monetising digital content has offered Gen Z entrepreneurs and influencers a range of high-earning options.

Of the 1900 young high earners, these were largely in metro areas across Melbourne, Sydney, and the ACT.

A high concentration were found in Queensland’s southeast corner, with 91 in Brisbane, 41 in Moreton Bay and 36 on the Gold Coast.

Ms Raines said it was possible mining was one of the culprits down south as well, with FIFO workers living in metro areas.

She said construction and development industry also offer high-paying opportunity for young people living in the southeast.

Within that 1900, 838 reported a personal income of $182,000+ per year and $3500 per week.

The exact occupations of these bankable young guns is not yet known, so tell us where you think the big bucks lies.