Australia's fastest growing salaries

Australia's fastest growing salaries
SEEK content teamupdated on 18 April, 2024
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Which industries and roles have seen the fastest salary growth on SEEK? We’ve unpacked the data so you can explore relevant opportunities for you.  

According to research for SEEK, the main reason people look for a new job is because they’re not getting paid enough. So, if you’re looking to earn more money, a role change could really pay off right now.  

We’ve put together a list of Australian industries and jobs that have experienced the biggest salary increases recently. Select an industry below to find out. 

Rank
Industry
Role
Average salary
Salary growth
Job ads
1
Trades & Services
$93,400
Salary growth increase28%
2
Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics
$144,800
Salary growth increase27%
3
Healthcare & Medical
$62,400
Salary growth increase25%
4
Community Services & Development
$69,700
Salary growth increase24%
5
Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics
$113,200
Salary growth increase24%
6
Retail & Consumer Products
$60,200
Salary growth increase21%
7
Retail & Consumer Products
$54,400
Salary growth increase21%
8
Administration & Office Support
$82,800
Salary growth increase21%
9
Engineering
$123,500
Salary growth increase19%
10
Healthcare & Medical
$63,200
Salary growth increase18%
11
Community Services & Development
$65,300
Salary growth increase18%
12
Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics
$129,200
Salary growth increase18%
13
Mining, Resources & Energy
$142,800
Salary growth increase17%
14
Community Services & Development
$63,300
Salary growth increase17%
15
Community Services & Development
$61,400
Salary growth increase16%
16
Retail & Consumer Products
$66,100
Salary growth increase16%
17
Construction
$75,500
Salary growth increase16%
18
Insurance & Superannuation
$86,300
Salary growth increase16%
19
Community Services & Development
$65,900
Salary growth increase16%
20
Community Services & Development
$65,400
Salary growth increase16%

Why changing jobs can lead to higher pay increases 

Many people are trapped in a cycle of small, incremental salary increases that fail to keep up with their skills, experience and market value. Our research found those who changed roles had a 1.6x greater salary increase than those who stayed in the same job. By changing jobs, you can get out of this cycle and find ways to earn more.  

Companies are willing to pay higher salaries to attract new, highly skilled talent. They recognise top talent are their best asset, so be prepared to negotiate a higher salary if you've got valuable skills and experience. 

Internal pay structures can also limit your growth within a single organisation. Some companies have rigid salary bands that might restrict you from advancing beyond a certain level, regardless of your performance or contributions.  

Over time, salary increases may become minimal or even nonexistent, leaving you feeling undervalued and unmotivated. By moving to a new company, you can reset your salary and regain momentum in your career, opening up the possibility for more significant pay increases in the future. 

Explore salaries 

Get the latest salary information for a range of roles and industries so you can see how your current job measures up and find the right career path for you. 

Source: Independent research conducted by Nature of behalf of SEEK, interviewing 4800 Australian candidates annually, Sep 2023 - Jan 2024. 

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