The top 10 highest salaries in Australia paying up to $700,000

CEOs and managing directors, HR directors and mining jumbo operators were among the Australian jobs with the highest salaries, new research has found.

Tamika Seeto · Finance Reporter

Updated Tue, 22 July 2025, 5:21 pm 3 min read

Australian workers highest salaries, HR manager and mining jumbo operator. — CEOs, HR directors and mining jumbo operators were among the jobs with the highest typical salaries, a new Hays report has found.

A new survey has determined the highest paying jobs in Australia, with some lucrative roles paying as much as $700,000 per year.

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, including those jobs pulling in the biggest amounts and those with the fastest salary growth.

Across the country, it found the national average salary was $141,900, and nearly two-thirds of Australian workers are preparing to quit their jobs in the next 12 months to obtain better pay and benefits, and greater career opportunities.

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.

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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 of $700,000 plus. For organisations with turnovers between $50 and $500 million, the typical salary range was $400,000 to $700,000.

Chief Operating Officers and Chief Financial Officers can also earn $600,000 plus in organisations with turnovers over $500 million, while CEO salaries can reach $500,000 even in not-for-profit organisations.

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.

Australia’s 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.