Australia’s 2025 Salary Trends: Top Growing Industries & How to Stay Competitive

The Australian job market is undergoing significant transformation as we move through 2025, with digitisation, flexible working arrangements, and artificial intelligence reshaping traditional career paths. According to Adecco’s 2025 Salary Guide, which surveyed nearly 9,000 professionals across the APAC region, these changes are having a profound impact on salary trends and job opportunities across various industries.

Understanding these evolving salary trends and workplace megatrends is crucial for job seekers looking to advance their careers and maximise their earning potential. The guide reveals that economic shifts, widespread digitisation, and growing skills shortages are key factors influencing salary levels across different sectors.

Let’s look at some of the key trends and how you can use this information to best position yourself when looking for a new job.

Key Salary Trends in Australia

Growing Industries & Roles

The technology and finance sectors continue to lead salary growth in Australia, with roles such as Risk Specialists commanding packages up to $250,000 annually. Our guide shows particular strength in cybersecurity positions, with Security Architects earning between $180,000 and $260,000, reflecting the critical importance of digital security in today’s business environment.

There are several industries that are showing unprecedented growth, which is leading to competitive salary packages:

• Renewable Energy: Project Managers earning up to $190,000
• Digital Health: Technical Leaders commanding $160,000+
• Data Analytics: Senior Analysts reaching $150,000
• Cybersecurity: Security Architects earning between $180,000 and $260,000

Impact of Digitisation & AI

AI’s ability to automate processes and assist in decision-making is empowering businesses to remain competitive and enabling employees to focus on higher-value tasks. This widespread integration of AI and automation technologies is creating a dual effect in the job market – some traditional roles are being streamlined through automation; however many new opportunities are emerging in areas such as machine learning and AI implementation, particularly in Australia and India.

Our findings indicate that 73% of employers in regions like Singapore and Hong Kong are prioritising AI-related skills, suggesting similar trends for the Australian market. Leadership and management also stands out as an in-demand skill across the APAC region for 2025.

Flexible & Gig Work on the Rise

Flexible work policies rank as one of the most provided non-financial benefits (33% of companies across APAC region) offered by employers and the high demand for hybrid and gig-based models is highlighting the need for policy and infrastructure adjustments by employers. Flexible working arrangements are now one of the most influential megatrends across the APAC region, with particularly high adoption rates in major Australian cities.

The rise of flexible and gig work is also reshaping traditional salary structures. Our research has revealed that employers are adapting their compensation packages to accommodate these new working models:

• Base salaries are being adjusted to account for remote work arrangements
• Additional allowances are being offered for home office setups and utilities
• Variable pay components are becoming more common in hybrid roles
• Project-based compensation is increasing for gig workers

Salary Growth by Industry

Industry Breakdown

The salary landscape across Australia’s key industries shows distinct patterns of growth and transformation. The technology sector leads with the highest salary increases, particularly in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud architecture roles, with Project Managers in this space earning up to $190,000. Similarly, financial services maintain strong growth in specialised areas such as risk management, FinTech, and ESG. Commercial Finance Managers are now expected to earn between $119,000 and $185,000 annually. Healthcare salaries are evolving to reward digital health expertise and telehealth capabilities, while manufacturing compensation reflects the industry’s shift towards automation and Industry 4.0 technologies with growing demand, and higher salaries, for workers who can program, operate, and maintain advanced automation systems.

Across all sectors, the most significant salary growth is occurring in roles that combine traditional industry expertise with digital capabilities. Positions that bridge technical and business skills command premium compensation, while remote work capabilities and digital transformation expertise are increasingly factored into salary packages. This trend reflects the broader economic shift towards digitalisation and the growing importance of technological literacy in traditionally non-technical roles.

Emerging High-Paying Roles

Several roles are experiencing significant salary growth due to skills shortages and increased demand:

• Cloud Architects ($160,000 – $220,000)
• Data Security Managers ($170,000 – $230,000)
• Senior Risk Managers ($130,000 – $174,000)

These positions are particularly valued due to the increasing focus on digital transformation and risk management across industries.

How Job Seekers Can Stay Competitive

Up-skilling & Re-skilling

The guide emphasises the growing importance of continuous learning, with 38% of organisations investing in diversity training programmes. Key areas for skill development include:

• Machine Learning and AI
• Cybersecurity
• Leadership and Management
• Project Management

Negotiation Strategies for a Higher Salary

When negotiating salaries, job seekers should leverage market data from our salary guide to understand their worth. The guide shows that in Australia, 54% of job seekers consider compensation and benefits as the most important factor when considering job changes, followed by professional development (18%) and work-life balance (8%).

Leveraging Recruitment Agencies

Adecco’s expertise in salary benchmarking and market trends can help professionals navigate their career paths more effectively. Our recruiters provide valuable insights into industry-specific salary ranges and help candidates position themselves competitively in the market.

As the Australian job market continues to evolve, staying informed about salary trends and in-demand skills is crucial for career advancement. Our 2025 Salary Guide demonstrates that while traditional roles remain important, the highest growth potential lies in positions that combine technical expertise with strong leadership capabilities.

For detailed insights into specific roles and industries, or to discuss your career options with our recruitment specialists, chat to us today.