Australia’s Top 10 Engineers by Salary
Australia is all set for the thriving
engineering sector. From sets of major infrastructure undertakings to the
shores of the latest technological advances, engineering has helped much for
the country's progress. They have evolved, then specializations in demand areas
have emerged; along with this have come beefy salaries, applying for varied
hospital jobs.
So here is a list, ranked by average annual
salary, role, and demand on the market in Australia, of some of the
highest-paying engineering jobs to look into for those who want to go into
engineering or are wondering which field pays the most:
1. Petroleum Engineers
Average Salary: AUD 170,000 – 200,000
Petroleum engineers need to be at the head
of the salary list. They design and implement extraction methods for removing
oil and gas from subterranean reservoirs. Compensation is on the higher side
due to the difficulties involved and the high level of expertise required. Most
of them work for mining sites in Western Australia or Queensland.
2. Mining Engineers
Average Salary: AUD 150,000 – 180,000
Due to the presence of abundant natural
resources, demand for mining engineers has always been consistent in Australia.
It involves planning, designing, and overseeing mining operations. Given the
nature of the work at a remote site and the high levels of responsibility
involved, this profession promises significant financial gain and a long career
path.
3. Senior Software
Engineers
Average Salary: AUD 130,000 – 160,000
A massive demand for senior software engineers
exists owing to the all-encompassing digital transformation carried out in
industries. They work on systems and applications that are complex and
establish and maintain them. Familiarity with cloud computing, AI, or
cybersecurity, therefore, does not help when it comes to earning a higher
salary.
4. Engineering Managers
Average Salary: AUD 140,000 – 155,000
Engineering managers become involved in
engineering projects and teams, with a particular focus on technical issues.
Their work requires an interest in experimentation, leadership, and
decision-making. Managers with more responsibilities will be better paid across
topics such as managing the timeline, budgeting, and resourcing.
5. Civil Engineer
Specialisations
Average Salary: AUD 110,000 – 145,000
Entry-level civil engineers earn fair;
those who have specialised in areas such as geotechnical, structural, and water
resource engineering, however, may earn an above-average salary over six
figures. The demand is strong owing to major infrastructure and transportation
projects being implemented in urban centres.
6. Senior and Large-Scale
Electrical Engineers
Average Salary: AUD 115,000 – 140,000
Because of their critical roles in energy,
defence, telecom, and construction, electrical engineers are in high demand.
Senior engineers and project engineers of enormous size earn high salaries,
especially with employers based in urban and remote industrial locations.
7. Mechanical Engineers in
Mining and Heavy Industry
Average Salary: AUD 110,000 – 135,000
Mechanical engineers working in mining,
defence, or large-scale manufacturing earn more than those in consumer-oriented
industries. They design machines, plan maintenance, and optimize systems.
8. Aerospace Engineer
Average Salary: AUD 100,000 to 130,000
To their advantage, the small number of
them ensures a good living for aerospace engineers skilled in designing
aircraft and spacecraft systems. They are involved with large-scale engineering
projects through either defence contractors or aviation technology firms.
9. Chemical Engineers
Average Salary: AUD 95,000 – 125,000
Chemical engineers find work across many
industries, like pharmaceuticals, food processing, and energy. Using chemical
processes for raw materials to convert them into useful products makes these
engineers of great wealth for any industrial setup.
10. Environmental Engineer
Average Salary: AUD 90,000 – 120,000
With sustainability aspects being
incorporated in business and government planning, it is becoming more relevant
to environmental engineering. Environmental engineers are involved in waste
management, pollution control, and environment-sustainable construction
concomitant to massive public or private projects.
What Do Engineers Get Paid For In Australia?
Some of the leads to the higher pay
include:
Location:
Bonus or even higher base pay is given to engineers
when required to work away from the cities in mining-heavy locations such as
Western Australia or the Northern Territory.
Experience:
Higher experience will, of course, be paid higher,
especially related to leadership and consultancy positions.
Industry
Demand: Better pay in mining, oil & gas, and
defence.
Specialisation:
Engineers with skills in some niche areas with
certifications or knowledge that cross disciplines get paid higher compared to
their fellow engineers.
It
is about Project Scale: the higher the scale of the
project or the more technically critical it is, the engineers are paid
commensurate with the importance and risk involved therein.
Conclusion
Engineering in Australia is not only a safe
career but also fulfilling, both intellectually and financially. The
best-paying jobs require several years of schooling and work experience, so the
payout is much greater. Instructional or migrant professionals seeking a career
path are open to some of the more highly paid occupations in Australia by
preparing themselves in high-demand specialties and getting practical
experience.
If oil extraction, infrastructure, and
software innovation in Australia sound like your cup of tea, engineering in
Australia is multifaceted, with challenges, along with a huge paycheck.
By MCH
17 Jan 2026 
