Highest paying jobs in Australia in 2025 you need to pursue for the biggest salary hikes

Australians aiming to have a big bank balance and more dollars in their pockets may want to consider roles in government, defence, finance, and construction. New data from the Global employment agency,
Seek
, reveals that advertised salaries for some jobs have jumped by over 25 per cent since 2024.
Defence analysts have seen the fastest salary growth, with advertised pay rising 26.8 per cent to an average of $130,117 per annum. The data highlights this role, often within government and defence, as one of the most rewarding in terms of salary increase since 2024.
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Taxation consultants came in next with a 24.5 per cent jump, followed by banking operations analysts at 21.1 per cent, and maintenance managers in the manufacturing, transport, and logistics sector at 19 per cent.
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Many of the fastest-growing roles are in skilled technical fields.
Blair Chapman
, senior economist at Seek, said electrical engineering salaries in the mining sector have increased rapidly.
Mining companies, he noted, are now competing with renewable energy firms for electrical engineers, pushing up pay to attract and retain talent.
The construction industry is also seeing gains. Project administrators on building sites have had their advertised salaries climb 16.8 per cent over the past year.
Chapman attributes this to increased building approvals and infrastructure work since early 2024, creating high demand for administrative talent on construction projects.
While technical and managerial roles saw the biggest jumps, entry-level workers haven't been left out.
Retail customer service representatives received a 16.2 per cent salary increase, with the average advertised salary now at $68,435. Similarly, assistants in hospitality and tourism saw a 15.6 per cent rise, lifting their average to $70,762.
These developments come just after the Fair Work Commission announced a 3.5 per cent increase in
Australia
's national minimum wage, starting July 1, 2025. This change raises the minimum annual wage to $49,296, or $24.95 per hour.
Employment Minister
Amanda Rishworth
welcomed the move, calling it a 'win for workers.' She said the government supports sustainable real wage growth and wants to ensure workers aren't left behind.
For Australians planning a career move or new job, targeting sectors with proven salary growth, particularly in technical, financial, or project-based roles, could offer quicker financial gains.

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