Jobs with the fastest-growing salaries in Australia revealed by SEEK

Aussie workers have enjoyed an annual wage boost of more than 20 per cent in one particular field, with experts tipping more growth is to come. See the full list.

​A job in the manufacturing, transport and logistics field has the fastest-growing salary in Australia, enjoying a boost of more than 20 per cent in the past year.

“Operations team members” in this sector – including couriers, cargo handlers, drivers, crane operators, product assemblers and warehouse assistants – have seen their wage jump 21.1 per cent on average to $65,000, according to new research from recruitment platform SEEK.

Support engineers were close behind, ​​notching an average annual salary increase of 17.3 per cent to $107,221.

Alarm technicians, enrolled nurses in the aged care sector, government and defence services officers and telecommunications technicians also experienced salary hikes in the vicinity of 15 per cent, according to the data identifying the nation’s top 15 roles for wage increases in the past year.

The figures do not factor in the pay increase for aged care nurses announced in March’s federal budget.

In comparison, the average Aussie worker has seen their salary increase by just 3.5 per cent for the same period, according to the Australian Industry Group.

The job with the fastest-growing salary in Australia has experienced a 21 per cent annual pay boost.

Show me the money

With costs of living forcing workers to seek out higher salaries, SEEK head of ANZ market data and analytics Leigh Broderick says the research will help Australians to make informed decisions about their future career path.

He says ongoing talent shortages, and the need for more specialised and technical skills, are a key contributor to high salary growth for the roles listed. But he warns a slowing employment market could affect future pay rises.

Road Freight NSW chief executive officer Simon O’Hara expects strong salary increases to continue across all roles in the manufacturing, transport and logistics sector.

Plagued by worker shortages, the industry is prioritising high salaries to attract and retain staff, he says.

“We are seeing a 30 per cent increase in terms of salaries for some (transport) roles,’’ O’Hara says.

“That makes (the sector) incredibly attractive for not only new entries (workers) but also for existing, experienced individuals that have a lot of knowledge and a passion for the industry.’’

Samantha Bensemann's job as a scheduler at bus company Transit Systems falls under one of the professions experiencing Australia’s fastest wage growth: operations team member.

Scheduling brings rewards

Samantha Bensemann works at bus company Transit Systems as a scheduler, which falls under the broader title of operations team member.

Her role involves mapping out bus routes, structuring timetables and making real-time adjustments to keep bus services running smoothly.

Those starting as a junior or cadet scheduler are typically paid about $68,000 but, with qualifications and experience, senior schedulers can expect to earn more than $100,000 a year, Transit Systems says.

Bensemann says her own wage increased by 11 per cent last year – a result of taking on more responsibility and a larger workload and in “appreciation of the hard work’’ she contributed.

The extra money has been a huge relief for Bensemann, who is expecting her second child, paying off the mortgage on her and her husband’s home, and saving to buy a second property.

“Even though it takes years of learning to become an experienced scheduler, it is a good career path to pursue,’’ she says.

“The pay increase has been helpful for my family and, with the continued rising costs of living, I hope for further increase in the future.’’

Transit Systems people, safety and communications executive general manager Tanya Smith says schedulers can quickly progress to senior positions, while earning annual incremental increases that reflect their growing expertise.

She says multiple scheduler roles are on offer with the bus company throughout Australia, noting those with proven problem-solving skills will receive a higher starting wage.

The best long-term prospect for salary

Wages will continue to grow in construction, warehousing and manufacturing this year, but decline in retail and hospitality, predicts Employment Hero chief executive officer Ben Thompson.

But he cautions job seekers against making career decisions based on salary trends, pointing to the slow wage growth being experienced by technology workers after several years of rapid increases.

“You don’t want to find yourself choosing (to train for) a high-paying role and then realise, once you get out (finish training) that the wages aren’t growing as quickly,’’ Thompson says.

Instead, Thompson advises those motivated by pay to focus on transferable skills that can be adapted to a wide range of sectors and roles, allowing workers to remain in high demand.

“In today’s market, the obvious skill that will bring you the best salary is, unsurprisingly, AI,’’ he says.

“If you can be more productive and deliver more output for your employer … by understanding and applying AI in different ways then you will be in high demand and be able to command higher pay.’’

The roles with the fastest-growing salaries in Australia:

Role title / Classification / Average salary / Average annual salary growth

Operations Team Member / Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics / $64,969 / 21.1%

Support Engineer / Engineering / $107,221 / 17.3%

Alarm Technician / Trades & Services / $93,536 / 15.4%

Enrolled Nurse / Community Services & Development / $84,178 / 15.1%

Services Officer / Government & Defence / $84,961 / 15%

Telecommunications Technician / Information & Communication Technology / $87,666 / 15%

Finisher / Trades & Services / $86,825 / 14.7%

Assistant / Farming, Animals & Conservation / $67,815 / 12.4%

Counsellor / Education & Training / $93,710 / 12.3%

Peer Worker / Healthcare & Medical / $82,930 / 12.3%

Service Manager / Banking & Financial Services / $85,113 / 12.3%

Nightfill Manager / Retail & Consumer Products / $80,938 / 12%

Co-ordinator / Education & Training / $99,283 / 11.9%

Maintenance Supervisor / Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics / $114,971 / 11.5%

Electronics Technician / Trades & Services / $87,536 / 11.2%

Source: SEEK

Originally published as Jobs with the fastest-growing salaries in Australia revealed by SEEK