Each year, the Australian Tax Office’s annual reports generate anticipation about the country’s highest earners. These figures can be particularly enticing for recent graduates at the beginning of their careers or for those seeking a career change. Being aware of job trends and knowing which careers offer the highest annual salaries can be crucial when making career decisions, especially when the options seem overwhelming.
This year’s list is unsurprisingly dominated by medical experts, IT specialists, and corporate directors. A career in medicine requires years of study, persistence, and hard work in high-pressure situations. It seems only fair that a high income rewards this dedication.
However, it’s important to remember that money should not be the sole motivator in career planning. There is more to the workplace than the final pay check. Factors such as work culture, colleagues, work-life balance, and overall job satisfaction can be equally if not more important. Nonetheless, it is understandable why compensation can be just as rewarding.
Check out the 15 highest-earning jobs in Australia this year, as revealed by the ATO, below.
2/16
15. Computing professional – security specialist
Average salary: $135,739
3/16
14. Enterprise and software architect/manager
Average salary: $138,933 – $142,355
4/16
13. Director
Average salary: $154,358
5/16
12. ICT Manager
Average salary: $138,614
6/16
11. Engineering Manager
Average salary: $161,514
7/16
10. Financial Investment Advisor or Manager
Average salary: $169,608
8/16
9. Mining Engineer
Average salary: $196,178.
9/16
8. CEO or Managing Director
Average salary: $177,506
10/16
7. Judicial or other legal professionals
Average salary: $193,388
11/16
6. Other medical practitioners
Average salary: $251,722
12/16
5. Psychiatrist
Average salary: $270,412
13/16
4. Internal medicine specialist
Average salary: $334,267
14/16
3. Financial dealer
Average salary: $341,789
15/16
2. Anaesthetist
Average salary: $426,894
16/16
1. Neurosurgeon
Average salary: $604,582
