Highest-paying jobs in Australia: Top 10 for 2025

As 2024 gave way to shifting market conditions, Australia’s job landscape realigned in employers’ favour. This change has reshaped recruitment priorities for many companies as well as candidate behaviour.

In response, many job seekers are now exploring professions with distinguished offers in the Australian job market.

Related: How to ask for a pay rise: 10 practical tips for success

Shifting salary strategies amid economic caution

Candidates are keen to explore the highest-paying roles in Australia as salary remains a decisive factor when weighing new opportunities.

Although cost-of-living pressures have kept expectations elevated, organisations have adopted a more measured response: average salary increases for new hires have stabilised in the 10% to 15% range.

“Businesses are moving away from bidding wars, instead prioritising competitive packages that combine flexibility and career development opportunities to attract and retain talent,” shares David George, Senior Managing Director at Michael Page Australia.

Flexibility continues to influence employee engagement, with work-life balance becoming increasingly important in talent decisions to ensure their professional lives do not affect their personal responsibilities.

Despite calls for a return to the office – evident in occupancy rates from 62% in Victoria to 93% in Western Australia – hybrid working models remain critical for talent retention.

Employers that strategically integrate flexible arrangements alongside targeted in-office initiatives and people-centred company culture can appeal to a broader spectrum of candidates without relying solely on salary increase.

Related: What to do if you don’t get the pay rise you want

Contract roles and digital skills reshape hiring priorities

Contract roles have demonstrated resilience in job trends as organisations seek agility in headcount management and access to specialised skills. Technology functions have seen sustained industry demand amid ongoing digital transformation, particularly cybersecurity, data analytics, and cloud engineering.

With cost discipline at the fore, some contract positions are anticipated to convert to permanent roles during 2025 while sustaining high salaries, as businesses seek to secure critical capabilities long-term.

Looking ahead, the increase in job volumes seen in late 2024 is expected to carry through into 2025, although recovery rates will vary by sector.

Success in this environment will hinge on employers’ and professionals’ adaptability, underpinned by realistic expectations and strategic talent management.

The top 10 highest-paying professions in Australia for 2025

To help job seekers make informed decisions on their next job search, we have compiled a list of the highest-paying positions in Australia, derived from our 2025 Salary Guide.

The data intelligence within the Michael Page Salary Guide is meticulously curated from our proprietary datasets and expansive network across Australia. It encapsulates a broad analysis of job advertisements, successful job placements, and market intel in 2024, and salary projections for 2025.

While the list features senior high-paying roles, it can help skilled professionals, even fresh graduates, identify jobs within sectors that offer competitive salary packages. Many of these roles require strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills, reflecting their role in driving business outcomes and managing complex challenges.

Besides high salaries, many of these roles offer strong job security, as they are in consistent demand and have long-term growth potential in the Australian job market.

1. In-house General Counsel

Average salary: $400,000

An in-house general counsel in an ASX 100 company is the most senior legal advisor within an organisation, responsible for all legal issues, regulatory, and compliance matters. With extensive practical legal training experience, general counsels operate at the intersection of law, strategy, and risk.

Key responsibilities:

• Advise on legal strategy and risk
• Oversee corporate governance and compliance
• Manage commercial and contract law
• Lead M&A transactions
• Manage internal and external legal counsel
• Setting internal policies on ethics and corporate conduct

(Browse legal roles)

2. C-suite positions

Average salary: $250,000 - $350,000

It is not surprising that C-suite positions, the highest level of executive management within an organisation, are among the highest-paying professions in Australia.

C-suite roles and responsibilities:

These executives like the board of directors, chief legal officers (CLO), chief operating officers (COO), chief financial officers (CFO), chief technology officers (CTO), and chief executive officers (CEO) bring immense value to organisations through impactful leadership, strategic vision and innovation, decision-making, financial management, operational excellence, talent development, stakeholder management, risk management, governance, and change management.

Professionals in C-suite roles like a CEO assume a critical role in driving the organisation’s success, growth, and long-term sustainability.

(Browse c-suite roles)

3. Pharmaceutical Managing Director/Country Manager

Average salary: $319,300

A managing director or country manager in the pharmaceutical sales sector is responsible for leading the overall business with strategic thinking, commercial operations, and market performance within the country.

An expert in the medical field, a managing director in this sector is pivotal in navigating Australia’s competitive and regulated pharmaceutical landscape while delivering strong commercial results.

Key responsibilities:

• Driving sales growth by overseeing national sales teams and implementing go-to-market strategies.
• Shaping finance and business strategy aligned with global objectives and local market dynamics.
• Building stakeholder relationships with healthcare professionals (e.g. specialists, pharmacists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons), government bodies (e.g. TGA, PBS), and key opinion leaders.
• Ensuring compliance with Australian healthcare regulations and ethical standards.
• Leading cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, medical affairs, and regulatory functions.

(Browse sales roles)

4. Engineering & Manufacturing Managing Director

Average salary: $300,000

A managing director in Engineering & Manufacturing leads the entire business operation, combining strategic oversight with operational excellence.

Key responsibilities:

• Set the company’s vision and growth strategy
• Manage large-scale engineering and production functions
• Ensure profitability through efficient cost, quality, and safety management
• Oversee senior leadership teams
• Drive innovation and capital investment
• Maintain key relationships with customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies
• Ensure long-term success in a competitive industrial environment

(Browse engineering & manufacturing roles)

5. Human Resources (HR) Director

Average salary: $280,000

A human resources director in Australia is responsible for shaping and executing the organisation’s overall people strategy. They develop HR policies and frameworks aligned with business objectives, ensuring the company attracts, develops, and retains top talent while overseeing daily operations.

Key responsibilities:

• Set company vision and growth strategy
• Oversee engineering, production, and profitability (cost, quality, safety)
• Lead senior teams, innovation, and stakeholder relationships
• Manage compensation, benefits, and employee engagement
• Foster an inclusive culture and drive diversity strategies
• Ensure compliance with Australian labour laws
• Leverage HRIS and data analytics for decision-making
• Advise on organisational design, daily operations, change management, and performance
• Oversee talent acquisition, workforce planning, succession planning, and leadership development

(Browse human resources roles)

6. Architect Manager

Average salary: $250,000

An Architect Manager in Australia typically combines leadership responsibilities with a strong technical background in architecture. Their role focuses on managing architectural projects, teams, and client relationships while ensuring high-quality design and compliance with regulations.

Key responsibilities:

• Managing architectural projects, ensuring client satisfaction, timelines, and budgets
• Leading and mentoring architecture teams
• Building and maintaining client relationships
• Providing technical design guidance and ensuring regulatory compliance
• Overseeing project planning, coordination, and budget management
• Ensuring project quality, mitigate risks, and collaborate with stakeholders
• Promoting innovation, sustainability, and industry best practices

(Browse technology roles)

7. Director of Marketing

Average salary: $230,000

A marketing director, or director of marketing in Australia is responsible for leading the organisation’s marketing strategy to drive brand growth, customer engagement, and revenue based on the company's business plans and goals.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and execute integrated marketing plans across digital, brand, and communications channels
• Align marketing efforts with business plans and objectives
• Oversee market research, customer insights, and competitive analysis
• Manage budgets and measure ROI
• Lead cross-functional teams in content, performance marketing, and brand management
• Collaborate with sales, product, and executive teams for a consistent go-to-market strategy
• Enhance customer experience, loyalty, and market positioning

(Browse marketing roles)

8. Strategy Manager

Average salary: $220,000

A strategy manager in Australia is responsible for shaping and executing financial strategies that enhance business performance, optimise operations, and support long-term objectives. They collaborate closely with senior leadership and various departments to analyse market trends, financial data, and competitive landscapes to guide key decision-making.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and implement financial strategies
• Analyse market trends and financial data
• Align financial goals with business objectives
• Identify cost reduction and improvement opportunities
• Lead forecasting, budgeting, and planning
• Support strategic initiatives (e.g., mergers)
• Monitor and adjust project performance
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations

(Browse finance roles)

9. Head of Supply Chain

Average salary: $210,000

Supply chain directors/head ofs oversee the end-to-end supply chain operations, ensuring efficient management of procurement, logistics, inventory, and distribution.

They drive strategies to optimise processes, reduce costs, and enhance supply chain performance while maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and stakeholders.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and execute supply chain strategies to optimise efficiency and reduce costs
• Oversee procurement, logistics, inventory management, and distribution
• Monitor and improve supply chain performance and KPIs
• Manage supplier relationships and negotiate contracts
• Lead and mentor supply chain teams to ensure high performance
• Ensure compliance with regulations and sustainability goals
• Collaborate with other departments (e.g., sales, production) to align supply chain with business objectives
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks
• Drive continuous improvement in processes and technologies

(Browse supply chain roles)

10. Senior Engineer

Average salary: $190,000

A senior engineer in Australia’s mining industry is responsible for overseeing the design, development, and optimisation of mining operations. They ensure that projects are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulations while improving processes and addressing technical challenges.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and manage mining engineering projects
• Optimise mining systems and processes
• Ensure safety and regulatory compliance
• Provide technical support and problem-solving
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams
• Conduct risk assessments and implement solutions
• Analyse performance metrics to improve efficiency
• Mentor junior engineers
• Manage project budgets and timelines
• Drive innovation and new technologies in mining operations

(Browse mining roles)