Australia · AUD · 2026
Salaries in Australia
What 32 careers pay in Australia, highest first. The middle of the table sits around A$120,000 a year; surgeons lead at A$420,000.
| # | Career | Industry | Entry | Median | Senior | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgeon | Healthcare | A$300k | A$420,000 | A$780k | A$213 |
| 2 | Investment Banker | Finance | A$150k | A$240,000 | A$825k | A$121 |
| 3 | Quantitative Analyst | Finance | A$140k | A$220,000 | A$630k | A$111 |
| 4 | Machine Learning Engineer | Technology | A$135k | A$195,000 | A$415k | A$98.50 |
| 5 | Dentist | Healthcare | A$115k | A$168,064 | A$255k | A$85 |
| 6 | Air Traffic Controller | Aviation | A$90k | A$165,000 | A$240k | A$83.50 |
| 7 | Aerospace Engineer | Aviation | A$96k | A$160,000 | A$235k | A$81 |
| 8 | Data Scientist | Technology | A$93k | A$160,000 | A$265k | A$81 |
| 9 | Product Manager | Technology | A$110k | A$160,000 | A$300k | A$81 |
| 10 | Actuary | Finance | A$84k | A$150,000 | A$300k | A$76 |
| 11 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | A$120k | A$150,000 | A$205k | A$76 |
| 12 | Cybersecurity Analyst | Technology | A$81k | A$140,000 | A$235k | A$71 |
| 13 | Project Manager | Technology | A$90k | A$140,000 | A$220k | A$71 |
| 14 | Commercial Pilot | Aviation | A$94k | A$137,852 | A$210k | A$70 |
| 15 | DevOps Engineer | Technology | A$90k | A$131,924 | A$200k | A$67 |
| 16 | Software Engineer | Technology | A$90k | A$131,924 | A$200k | A$67 |
| 17 | Elevator Technician | Skilled Trades | A$66k | A$120,000 | A$180k | A$60.50 |
| 18 | UX Designer | Technology | A$83k | A$120,000 | A$210k | A$60.50 |
| 19 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | A$78k | A$113,984 | A$175k | A$57.50 |
| 20 | Electrician | Skilled Trades | A$76k | A$113,932 | A$210k | A$57.50 |
| 21 | Compliance Officer | Legal | A$83k | A$110,000 | A$210k | A$55.50 |
| 22 | HVAC Technician | Skilled Trades | A$73k | A$109,200 | A$200k | A$55.50 |
| 23 | Lawyer | Legal | A$73k | A$107,640 | A$165k | A$54.50 |
| 24 | Accountant | Finance | A$71k | A$104,156 | A$160k | A$52.50 |
| 25 | Plumber | Skilled Trades | A$69k | A$103,480 | A$190k | A$52.50 |
| 26 | Aircraft Mechanic | Aviation | A$69k | A$102,960 | A$190k | A$52 |
| 27 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | A$69k | A$101,712 | A$155k | A$51.50 |
| 28 | Data Analyst | Technology | A$71k | A$100,000 | A$175k | A$50.50 |
| 29 | Financial Analyst | Finance | A$75k | A$100,000 | A$180k | A$50.50 |
| 30 | Welder | Skilled Trades | A$59k | A$87,776 | A$160k | A$44.50 |
| 31 | Flight Attendant | Aviation | A$57k | A$78,208 | A$135k | A$39.50 |
| 32 | Paralegal | Legal | A$53k | A$72,000 | A$125k | A$36.50 |
Gross annual pay before tax. Hourly rates assume a standard 38-hour week. How we estimate these figures.
Working in Australia
Australia pays well by global standards, with mining, healthcare and trades notably strong; a licensed tradesperson in Perth can out-earn many office workers. Distance from other markets means less remote-work salary arbitrage than Europe.
Tax
Progressive rates up to 45% plus a Medicare levy. Compulsory superannuation (12%) is paid by employers on top of quoted salaries.
Tools and guides for Australia
- Hourly to salary calculator: an hourly wage to yearly pay, with take-home pay in Australia
Questions about pay in Australia
What is the highest-paying job in Australia?
Of the 32 careers Paygrade tracks, surgeons earn the most in Australia, with a median of about A$420,000 a year in 2026. Investment bankers (A$240,000) and quantitative analysts (A$220,000) follow.
What is the best-paid job in Australia without a degree?
Air traffic controllers earn a median of about A$165,000 a year in Australia, and the usual route in is certification rather than a university degree.
How much tax will I pay on a salary in Australia?
Progressive rates up to 45% plus a Medicare levy. Compulsory superannuation (12%) is paid by employers on top of quoted salaries.