CEOs, HR directors and mining jumbo operators were among the jobs with the highest typical salaries, a new Hays report has found. <\/p>\n
A new survey has determined the highest paying jobs in Australia<\/a>, with some lucrative roles paying as much as $700,000 per year.<\/p>\n The Hays Salary Guide for 2025-26 surveyed more than 12,000 professionals and hiring managers to find out the current state of the salary landscape<\/a>, including those jobs pulling in the biggest amounts and those with the fastest salary growth<\/a>.<\/p>\n Across the country, it found the national average salary was $141,900, and nearly two-thirds of Australian workers<\/a> are preparing to quit their jobs<\/a> in the next 12 months to obtain better pay and benefits, and greater career opportunities.<\/p>\n Hays APAC CEO Matthew Dickason said the data revealed “clear divides” in which industries were paying more and were planning to continue to do so.<\/p>\n RELATED<\/p>\n CEOs and Managing Directors topped the list, with those in commercial organisations with turnovers of more than $500 million able to pull in typical salaries<\/a> of $700,000 plus. For organisations with turnovers between $50 and $500 million, the typical salary range was $400,000 to $700,000.<\/p>\n Chief Operating Officers and Chief Financial Officers can also earn $600,000 plus in organisations with turnovers over $500 million, while CEO salaries<\/a> can reach $500,000 even in not-for-profit organisations.<\/p>\n Heads of Treasury can earn up to $410,000 in Sydney and $300,000 in Melbourne. Heads of Tax can make up to $400,000 in Sydney, while Heads of Internal Audit can earn up to $400,000.<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s top sales job earners are General Managers, particularly in the area of Consumer Goods. General Managers can earn up to $400,000 in Sydney and Melbourne, while Vice Presidents of Sales in IT and Telecoms can earn up to $350,000.<\/p>\n The Hays Salary Guide for the 2025-26 financial year, released today, reveals typical salaries<\/a> for thousands of jobs across Australia.<\/p>\n Here are the top 10 highest salaries and the maximum typical amount that can be earned.<\/p>\n CEO and Managing Director $700,000+<\/p>\n Head of Treasury $410,000<\/p>\n General Manager of Sales and Sales Director $400,000<\/p>\n Head of HR and HR Director $400,000<\/p>\n Commercial Construction Manager $400,000<\/p>\n Property Development Director $388,000<\/p>\n Chief Information Officer $375,000<\/p>\n Defence Operations Director $360,000<\/p>\n Banking and Finance Head of Quantitative Risk $350,000<\/p>\n Mining Jumbo Operator $330,000<\/p>\n Story Continues <\/p>\n Most salaries listed are for roles in Sydney, with a few exceptions for specific roles in Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.<\/p>\n Salaries can vary depending on the size of the company and how long you have been employed in the specific role.<\/p>\n The report also revealed the top sectors for year-on-year salary growth<\/a>, with financial and insurance services topping the list with growth of 12.9 per cent.<\/p>\n This was followed by construction (11.7 per cent), IT\/Tech system design (9.6 per cent), legal (7.8 per cent) and mining (6.9 per cent).<\/p>\n Queensland recorded the strongest salary growth nationally, with average salaries up 5.6 per cent to $139,000.<\/p>\n New South Wales was close to the average at $143,800, with salary growth in line with the national average at 5.1 per cent.<\/p>\n Victoria\u2019s average salary was sitting at $142,300, while Western Australia had the highest average salary at $147,200.<\/p>\n Get the latest Yahoo Finance news – follow us on Facebook<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n