The Highest Paying Cities in Australia (2025)
Australia remains one of the most attractive countries for both domestic and international professionals seeking career opportunities with competitive compensation. The combination of a strong economy, a high standard of living, and a robust regulatory framework ensures that Australian workers enjoy some of the best remuneration packages in the world. However, salaries can vary significantly depending on geographic location, industry concentration, and cost of living.
This article explores the highest paying cities in Australia in 2025, examining the key industries driving wage growth, the role of cost-of-living adjustments, and strategic considerations for individuals evaluating career opportunities in Australia’s metropolitan centres.
Economic Overview and Salary Drivers in Australia
Before delving into city-specific data, it is important to understand the broader context of salary levels in Australia:
- Skills Shortages: Australia is experiencing a well-documented skills shortage in various sectors, especially in technology, healthcare, finance, and engineering. These shortages are most acute in major metropolitan areas and have driven up average salaries.
- Cost of Living: Compensation packages often reflect the cost of living in a particular city. For example, cities such as Sydney and Melbourne offer higher salaries to offset their elevated housing and transport costs.
- Industry Clustering: Certain cities are hubs for specific industries. For instance, Sydney is dominant in financial services, Perth in mining and energy, and Canberra in government and public administration.
- Remote and Hybrid Work: The pandemic-led shift to remote work has altered traditional salary norms, with some companies offering standardised national pay, while others continue to vary salaries by location.
1. Sydney, New South Wales
Average Salary: AUD $100,000 – $130,000
Top Industries: Finance, Legal, Technology, Media, Construction
As Australia’s largest city and economic capital, Sydney consistently tops the list for the highest salaries. It is home to the headquarters of major financial institutions, global consulting firms, and multinational corporations. The city is also a central hub for Australia’s rapidly expanding technology sector.
Professionals in finance, investment banking, law, and tech development can expect to earn premium salaries, particularly with global firms that benchmark against international pay scales. Senior software engineers, for example, regularly command salaries exceeding AUD $150,000, while experienced legal professionals can reach AUD $200,000+.
Pros:
- Strong job market
- International career opportunities
- High salaries across multiple sectors
Cons:
- Highest cost of living in Australia
- Traffic congestion and limited affordable housing
2. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Average Salary: AUD $95,000 – $120,000
Top Industries: Public Administration, Defence, Cybersecurity, Education
Canberra offers some of the highest average wages in Australia, largely due to its unique position as the nation’s capital. Government departments, defence contractors, policy think tanks, and international embassies are major employers.
Public sector roles, particularly at the executive level, often come with generous superannuation benefits and stable long-term employment. Cybersecurity and IT roles in the defence sector are also commanding high salaries, driven by national security concerns and digital transformation agendas.
Pros:
- High public sector wages
- Affordable housing relative to Sydney and Melbourne
- Clean, organised urban environment
Cons:
- Limited private sector opportunities
- Smaller cultural and entertainment scene
3. Perth, Western Australia
Average Salary: AUD $90,000 – $115,000
Top Industries: Mining, Oil & Gas, Engineering, Environmental Sciences
Perth’s economy is closely tied to the natural resources sector. The mining boom continues to support high salaries, particularly for engineers, geologists, project managers, and health and safety professionals.
FIFO (fly-in fly-out) roles in remote mining locations often pay extremely well, with packages including high base salaries, bonuses, and generous allowances. For professionals in the energy sector, Perth remains an unmatched employment destination.
Pros:
- Lucrative resource-sector jobs
- Lower population density
- Access to natural beauty and outdoor activities
Cons:
- Geographic isolation
- Job market heavily reliant on commodity cycles
4. Melbourne, Victoria
Average Salary: AUD $88,000 – $110,000
Top Industries: Healthcare, Education, Technology, Finance, Creative Industries
Melbourne is a major cultural and economic hub, and salaries here are competitive across a diverse range of industries. Healthcare professionals, including surgeons and senior medical staff, enjoy among the highest earnings in the country. The city is also growing as a centre for education and research, hosting several world-class universities.
In recent years, Melbourne has seen strong growth in its technology startup ecosystem, offering attractive compensation to software engineers, product managers, and data scientists. While not always as high as Sydney, salaries are bolstered by Melbourne’s (slightly) lower cost of living.
Pros:
- Vibrant lifestyle and culture
- Diverse economy
- Strong healthcare and education sectors
Cons:
- Rising housing prices
- Competition for senior roles can be intense
5. Brisbane, Queensland
Average Salary: AUD $85,000 – $105,000
Top Industries: Construction, Health, Education, Resources, Tourism
Brisbane offers a good balance of career opportunity and lifestyle. The city is currently undergoing significant infrastructure investment, with large-scale projects like Cross River Rail and the Brisbane Metro driving demand for engineers, planners, and construction managers.
Healthcare and education are strong employment sectors in Brisbane, and the city’s role as a regional headquarters for several national companies creates professional opportunities in management and administration. Salaries are generally competitive, particularly when adjusted for cost of living.
Pros:
- Affordable housing relative to Sydney and Melbourne
- Growing infrastructure and real estate development
- Warm climate and relaxed lifestyle
Cons:
- Smaller corporate job market compared to Sydney/Melbourne
- Somewhat limited international career opportunities
6. Adelaide, South Australia
Average Salary: AUD $80,000 – $100,000
Top Industries: Defence, Manufacturing, Education, Health Sciences
Adelaide may not have the highest headline salaries, but it offers notable value when factoring in the cost of living. The city is becoming a hub for defence and space industries, with companies like BAE Systems and the Australian Space Agency investing in operations.
While average salaries are lower than in Sydney or Melbourne, professionals in defence engineering, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing can still command impressive pay packages. The healthcare sector also remains a strong employer, especially in areas of aged care and allied health.
Pros:
- Affordable living costs
- Growing defence sector
- Less congestion and more livable environment
Cons:
- Lower average salaries
- Slower-paced job market
7. Hobart, Tasmania
Average Salary: AUD $75,000 – $95,000
Top Industries: Tourism, Agriculture, Education, Public Sector
Hobart has traditionally offered lower wages, but the city has experienced wage growth in the past five years due to a strengthening local economy and increasing interstate migration. Public sector workers and professionals in tourism, agribusiness, and education can expect steady, though modest, compensation.
Hobart may not appeal to those chasing top-tier salaries, but for individuals seeking a better work-life balance and lower cost of living, it remains an attractive option.
Pros:
- Low cost of living
- High quality of life and natural beauty
- Close-knit community
Cons:
- Limited job market in high-paying sectors
- Lower wage ceilings
| City | Average Salary Range (AUD) | Highest Paying Sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $100,000 – $130,000 | Finance, Tech, Legal, Construction |
| Canberra | $95,000 – $120,000 | Public Service, Defence, Cybersecurity |
| Perth | $90,000 – $115,000 | Mining, Oil & Gas, Engineering |
| Melbourne | $88,000 – $110,000 | Healthcare, Tech, Finance, Education |
| Brisbane | $85,000 – $105,000 | Construction, Health, Tourism |
| Adelaide | $80,000 – $100,000 | Defence, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
| Hobart | $75,000 – $95,000 | Tourism, Public Sector, Education |
Wrapping Up…
When evaluating the highest paying cities in Australia, it’s clear that Sydney and Canberra lead the way in absolute terms, followed closely by Perth and Melbourne. However, it is important for professionals to assess salary figures alongside cost of living, industry presence, career progression opportunities, and lifestyle preferences.
Cities like Adelaide and Hobart may not offer the highest pay, but they present compelling value when considering overall quality of life and affordability. Ultimately, the best city to work in Australia will depend on individual priorities—whether it’s maximising earnings, finding industry-specific opportunities, or achieving a better work-life balance.