$146,000: Tradies with the fastest-growing wages revealed

Some tradies are seeing wages growing more than 30 per cent, thanks to industry growth and a skills shortage. (Source: Getty)

Aussie tradies including mechanics, electricians and plumbers have seen their wages grow faster than inflation, new data has found. The rising cost of living means Aussies now need to earn significantly more than they did a few years ago to keep up.

New data from Seek has revealed the top trade jobs where wage growth has outpaced the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the past five years. CPI rose 20.9 per cent since 2019, but some tradies have enjoyed wage growth topping 30 per cent.

Bakers have seen the biggest wage growth, with advertised salaries increasing 34.2 per cent over the past five years to hit an average of $70,532.

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Looking at more traditional trade roles, panel beaters have enjoyed a 32.3 per cent wage increase, with salaries now sitting at $91,316. Boilermakers came in third, receiving wage increases of 30 per cent bringing the average salary to $95,766.

Seek head of employment analytics Leigh Broderick said the demand for skilled trades had risen over the past five years “driven by robust industry growth and a persistent skills shortage”.

"This has positively impacted salary growth in a number of roles,” he said. "This is a testament to the opportunity for Australians to unlock stronger earning potential through wider skills and education routes such as trades.”

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Electricians were the highest paid of the trades to make the list, earning an average of $146,425 for the job. This was followed by excavator operators in the mining, resources and energy sector at $139,208.

Overall, Seek found advertised salaries were up 1 per cent in the quarter to July, which was the fastest rate of growth since November. Year on year, salary growth remains relatively steady at 4.2 per cent.

Top 15 trades with the fastest-growing wages

1. Baker up 34.2 per cent to $70,532

2. Panel beater up 32.3 per cent to $91,316

3. Boilermaker up 30 per cent to $95,766

4. Hairdresser up 29.7 per cent to $69,659

5. Excavator operator (mining, resources and energy) up 29.3 per cent to $139,208

6. Security officer up 29 per cent to $65,996

7. Machine operator (construction) up 28.7 per cent to $80,700

8. Spray painter up 28.2 per cent to $83,017

9. Mechanic up 23.5 per cent to $87,637

10. Electrician (Trades & Services) up 22.8 per cent to $146,425

11. Excavator operator (construction) up 22.8 per cent to $84,666

12. Crane operator (construction) up 22.7 per cent to $96,609

13. Labourer (construction) up 22.5 per cent to $71,974

14. Plumber up 21.1 per cent $91,152

15. Painter up 21.1 per cent to $77,806

So, how does that list look from best to worst paid overall?

1. Electrician (Trades & Services) $146,425

2. Excavator operator (mining, resources and energy) $139,208

3. Crane operator (construction) $96,609

4. Boilermaker $95,766

5. Panel beater $91,316

6. Plumber $91,152

7. Mechanic $87,637

8. Excavator operator (construction) $84,66

9. Spray painter $83,017

10. Machine operator (construction) $80,700

11. Painter $77,806

12. Labourer (construction) $71,974

13. Baker $70,532

14. Hairdresser $69,659

15. Security officer $65,996

The average wage in Australia has now hit six-figures with a full-time worker pulling in $1,923.40 per week or $100,016 per year.

Finder personal finance expert Sarah Megginson told Yahoo Finance the rising cost of living meant a once-attractive six-figure salary wasn't going as far.

"No matter where you live, you would have been better off three years ago earning $90,000 than you are today, earning $100,000 because inflation over that time has well outpaced a normal level," Megginson said.

"I definitely think earning $100,000 is not what it was cracked up to be a few years ago."

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