Top-paying Jobs in Australia 2025: Roles with biggest salary growth revealed

New data reveals the unexpected careers raking in six-figure salaries despite the cost-of-living crunch — and why now might be the time to switch. See the full list of jobs.

A handful of professions have defied the cost-of-living crisis, recording pay rises of up to 26.8 per cent over the past year — far outpacing the national average.

New data from job platform SEEK reveals the roles with the fastest-growing advertised salaries, as experts urge Australians to consider upskilling or switching careers to cash in.

Topping the list were government and defence analysts, who scored a massive 26.8 per cent pay jump, taking their average salary to $130,177.

In dollar terms, electrical engineers in the mining, resources and energy sector came out on top, now earning $165,917 a year after an 18.3 per cent increase.

Other roles seeing strong wage growth include tax consultants, financial operations analysts, maintenance managers, and even customer service representatives.

SWITCHING TO HIGHER PAY

Resume and job interview coach Emma Maslen said switching jobs — whether jumping to a similar role or changing careers entirely — is often a faster way to boost your pay than trying to negotiate a raise.

The Rescue My Resume founder said she once landed a $15,000 pay rise and jumped two levels up the career ladder simply by changing employers.

She said many companies struggled to recognise the potential of longstanding workers and were subsequently reluctant to promote them to jobs with higher pay.

“(Employers) can’t always see that (existing staff) have the skills to move into a higher role and … it can be hard to change people’s perspectives of you (and your employment abilities),’’ she said.

Resume and job interview coach Emma Maslen.

“But you can position yourself however you like in a resume (sent out) to other workplaces. If you’ve done a bit of leadership in a project role you can position yourself for leadership roles.’’

Ms Maslen said those switching to a different career with minimal further training should make the change incrementally. For instance, teachers transitioning into policy work should consider relevant roles within the education sector to build experience before moving to other policy areas.

She said job seekers should highlight transferable skills in their resumes, such as communication, leadership and the ability to work with stakeholders.

FINANCIAL FREEDOM

Civil engineer Ryan Myo experienced a 30 per cent pay hike when he recently moved employers, transitioning from a technical role into strategic planning.

The income boost was welcomed by Mr Myo, even though it required him to relocate from regional NSW to Sydney, where living costs are generally higher.

“Rent, transport (and) everyday expenses add up so quickly so having a buffer (provided by a higher income) means I haven’t had to sacrifice on lifestyle (expenses by moving to the city),’’ he said.

Mr Myo said this was the third job he had worked in since graduating from university and he had deliberately spent a couple of years gaining experience in each position before seeking new opportunities elsewhere.

“Once you have the experience, it’s always easier to negotiate (more pay) with a new employer rather than the existing one,’’ he said.

“People call me money driven but if I can get a jump (in salary), well why not? Financial freedom relieves stress and it means I can take care of my parents – to me, family always come first.’’

Civil engineer Ryan Myo experienced a 30 per cent pay hike when he recently moved employers, transitioning from a technical role into strategic planning.

INFORMED CHOICE

SEEK senior economist Blair Chapman said switching jobs was a legitimate way to get a pay rise and hoped the salary data would help Australians make informed career decisions.

“Every person’s financial situation is different and so is every role that you might be going for,’’ he said.

“(The data) helps people understand where the opportunities are and helps give them the confidence to make informed decisions, particularly if they’re considering a career move.

“For those with transferable skills, this kind of insight could be the first step toward a more financially secure future.’’

He said those looking to stay in their current role should use the data to determine their current market value and, if they being underpaid, negotiate with their boss for a higher salary.

In addition to the listed occupations, Mr Chapman said high salaries were available for other construction and engineering roles, as well as mining and medical specialties.

He said while some professions required lengthy training, ongoing demand for workers meant those looking to change careers would likely still experience lucrative incomes once qualified.

“There are (also) some roles that require less training that pay above average, like crane operators where several licences are required, but the time to obtain them is relatively quick compared to a university degree,’’ Mr Chapman said.

Roles with the fastest salary growth

• Analyst (government and defence sector) – average salary $130,117 (up 26.8 per cent)
• Taxation consultant (accounting sector) – average salary $95,375 (up 24.5 per cent)
• Operations analyst (banking and financial services sector) – average salary $98,301 (up 21.1 per cent)
• Maintenance manager (manufacturing, transport and logistics sector) – average salary $146,613 (up 19 per cent)
• Electrical engineer (mining, resources and energy sector) – average salary $165,917 (up 18.3 per cent)
• Project administrator (construction sector) – average salary $92,788 (up 16.8 per cent)
• Finisher (trades and services sector) – average salary $90,695 (up 16.6 per cent)
• Customer service representative (retail and consumer products sector) – average salary $64,027 (up 16.2 per cent)
• Membership consultant (sport and recreation sector) – average salary $68,435 (up 16.1 per cent)
• Assistant (hospitality and tourism sector) – average salary $70,762 (up 15.6 per cent)

Source: SEEK.

Originally published as Top-paying Jobs in Australia 2025: Roles with biggest salary growth revealed