Australia’s top-paying jobs have been revealed in a major analysis of the national market by Seek.
The latest Money Matters report from the job website explores the evolving landscape of the Australian workplace, considering employees’ views on office presence, and the importance of salary hikes and achieving work-life balance.
Seek also analysed data from its job advertisements to find out what the highest-paying gigs in the country are.
Unsurprisingly, many are medical, with radiologists coming in first with an average annual salary of $236,147.
Topping the list of earnings were psychiatrists ($235,233), followed by GPs ($233,886), general medical practitioners ($231,955), health staff specialists ($224,382), partners in legal firms ($221,781), physicians ($218,537), directors of construction projects ($214,903), executive directors in government and defence sectors ($211,427), and managers in mining/resources/energy maintenance ($209,754).
The report revealed that only 36% of workers in Australia feel financially stable at the moment, suggesting that a minimum income of $100,000 is required to live comfortably.
However, a significant majority of 65 per cent of respondents said a good work-life balance was more important than a higher salary.
And the same proportion of respondents said they’d be willing to give up some flexibility in their job for a pay rise.
Seek career coach Leah Lambart said workers faced a complex balancing act.
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“We’re observing employees torn between two opposing pressures – the quest for a true work-life balance and the escalating financial stress in today’s economic conditions,” she explained.
“We can expect Australian workers to be increasingly considering the whole package of their work experience, not just simply their pay packet.
“This could manifest as bargaining for a pay raise in return for more time spent working onsite or trading for a regular RDO when working longer hours each month.”
Top 10 highest paid jobs in Australia for 2025
1. Radiologist – $236,147
2. Pyshciatrist – $235,233
3. General practitioner – $233,886
4. Medical practitioner – $231,955
5. Staff specialist (Health and medical) – $224,382
6. Partner (Legal) – $221,781
8. Project director (Construction) – $214,903
9. Executive director (Government and defence) – $211,427
10. Maintenance manager (Mining, resourses, and energy) – $209,754.
