The Australian engineering sector is booming right now. Over 9,100 engineering positions are open among 170,300 total job vacancies. This surge has driven highest paid engineers jobs in Australia to record levels. Top roles like Petroleum Engineers now earn up to AUD 250,000 per year.
Immigrants comprise half of Australia’s engineering workforce, and job openings continue to grow. The perfect time has come to explore these high-paying opportunities. This piece looks at the top 10 high paying engineering jobs with the most competitive salaries in Australia for 2025.
Highest Paid Engineers Jobs in Australia 2025
Petroleum Engineer
This field is one of the Engineering jobs with high salary in Australia. Their exceptional pay reflects their expertise in designing and developing methods to extract oil and gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface. These professionals are vital to the nation’s energy sector.
Petroleum Engineer Salary Range and Compensation
Petroleum engineers lead Australia’s Engineering jobs with high salary. Their earnings consistently exceed other engineering disciplines. These professionals earn between AUD 198,048 and AUD 201,606 per year. New engineers start at AUD 172,714 annually. Experienced professionals can make up to AUD 243,451.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary Range (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level | 172,714 – 198,000 |
| Mid-Career | 198,000 – 229,819 |
| Experienced | 229,819 – 243,451 |
Educational Requirements and Technical Skills
A career in petroleum engineering needs detailed education and specific skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering works best, but related fields like mechanical, civil, or chemical engineering also qualify
- Advanced positions and research roles need a Master’s degree or PhD
- Registration with Engineers Australia can boost your career prospects
Mining Engineer
Mining engineers are among Australia’s top earners. They hold the 7th spot for average taxable income nationwide. These professionals pull in great compensation packages and find plenty of career opportunities throughout the country.
Mining Engineer Salary Table
Mining engineers earn impressive salaries that vary by location. Their median weekly earnings hit AUD 5,145.05, which adds up to about AUD 267,542 per year. This is a big deal as it means that these earnings are much higher than what most full-time workers make across other jobs.
Essential Qualifications and Expertise
You’ll need a solid education and specific skills to become a mining engineer:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering with a mining or geotechnical engineering focus is a must
- Most professionals in this field are well-educated – 58.5% have bachelor’s degrees and 28.2% have gone further with postgraduate qualifications
- Some states might ask you to get licensed and registered
Software Engineering Manager
Software Engineering Managers are the technical masterminds powering Australia’s digital economy. They combine coding expertise with business knowledge to spark innovation in companies of all sizes. These professionals rank as the third highest-paid engineering speciality nationwide, earning substantial compensation packages while leading development teams toward breakthrough technologies.
Software Engineering Manager Compensation Structure
Software Engineering Managers in Australia receive competitive salaries. Their total compensation averages AUD 343,998.34. Most professionals earn between AUD 286,041.96 and AUD 433,176.69. Top performers in the 90th percentile can make up to AUD 522,910.
Required Technical and Leadership Skills
The best Software Engineering Managers excel in both technical expertise and leadership. Essential technical skills include:
- Deep knowledge of software engineering principles and practices
- Expertise in full technology stack and emerging technologies
- Software development methodologies and architectural design patterns
- Project management processes and tools
Data Engineering Manager
Data Engineering Managers stand out as top specialists in Australia‘s tech world. They handle complex data systems and lead their teams while earning some of the highest salaries among engineering professionals. Their expertise ranks them fourth in Australia’s High Salary Engineering Jobs rankings.
Data Engineering Manager Salary Breakdown
These professionals earn impressive packages, with yearly salaries averaging AUD 267,573.29. Most salaries fall between AUD 221,700 and AUD 313,440, though numbers vary based on location and industry.
| Location | Annual Salary Range (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Sydney, NSW | 305,798 – 351,667 |
| Melbourne, VIC | 215,506 – 242,548 |
| National Average | 267,573 |
Some employers pay even more. Mane Consulting offers AUD 290,508 to AUD 336,377 per year, while Talenza’s packages range from AUD 305,798 to AUD 351,667.
Educational Background and Certification Requirements
Data Engineering Managers need a solid education and key certifications to succeed:
Educational Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, engineering, or related fields
- Master’s degrees help career growth but aren’t usually required
Valuable Certifications:
- AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate: Shows mastery in data modeling and lifecycle management
- Databricks Certified Data Engineer Professional: Proves advanced data engineering skills
- Google Professional Data Engineer: Shows expertise in building secure data systems
- Cloudera Data Engineer: Demonstrates proficiency with Cloudera’s platform and big data tools
Aerospace Engineer
The aerospace industry ranks among Australia’s biggest exporters of high-value manufactured goods. This creates excellent opportunities for engineers in the field. Australian aerospace engineers earn impressive salaries that average AUD 191,124 per year, placing them among the country’s highest paid engineering professionals.
Aerospace Engineer Salary Range
Aerospace engineers receive attractive compensation packages that match their specialized expertise. The salary data shows strong earning potential at every career stage:
| Experience Level | Annual Salary (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level | 137,609 |
| Mid-Career | 168,189 |
| Senior Level | 214,823 |
Specialised Qualifications and Technical Expertise
Most jobs need a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related field from an accredited institution. Many employers prefer candidates who hold professional certifications or licenses, especially when the role includes supervising other engineers.
The core technical skills include physics, mathematics, aerodynamics, and knowledge of materials used in aircraft construction. Many engineers focus on specific areas like:
- Aerodynamic fluid flow
- Structural design
- Navigation systems
- Robotics
- Propulsion and combustion
Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineers are among Australia’s highest paid engineers. Their versatility lets them work in many sectors, which makes them highly sought after. These professionals get excellent pay because they design, test, and maintain electrical systems in the Australian job market.
Electrical Engineer Compensation Details
Australian electrical engineers earn between AUD 168,188.93 and AUD 198,768.73 yearly, making them one of the best-paid engineering roles in the country. The pay varies by a lot based on experience and industry:
| Experience Level | Annual Salary Range (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level | 152,899.02 – 160,543.97 |
| Mid-Career | 175,833.88 – 184,400.81 |
| Senior/Principal | 233,086.92 – 251,489.84 |
Educational Requirements and Technical Certifications
You’ll need these qualifications to become an electrical engineer:
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field
- Professional Engineer’s license (after four years of practice)
- Registration with the National Engineering Registration Board
Senior roles often ask for a master’s degree in specialised areas or extra technical certifications. You should be good at circuit design, mathematics, electrical systems maintenance, and project development.
Civil Engineer
Civil engineering is one of the high paying engineering jobs in Australia. Civil engineers build more than just infrastructure – they create rewarding career paths that offer substantial financial benefits. Their skills in design, management, and construction oversight make them some of Australia’s highest paid engineering professionals.
Civil Engineer Salary Structure
Civil engineers in Australia earn between AUD 145,254.07 and AUD 175,833.88 annually. Your location can make a big difference in what you earn:
| Location | Average Annual Salary (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Gold Coast | 196,475.24 |
| Darwin | 183,478.83 |
| Brisbane | 178,891.86 |
| Newcastle & Hunter | 178,127.36 |
| Bunbury & South West | 175,833.88 |
Qualifications and Professional Registration
A bachelor’s degree in engineering with a civil engineering major is your first step into this field. In spite of that, professional registration requirements vary throughout Australia:
- A Professional Engineer’s License is mandatory to practice independently in most states
- Engineers Australia manages the National Engineering Register (NER) with statutory state registration
- The ACT made registration mandatory from March 2024 for civil engineering
- Victoria requires all professional engineers in civil engineering to register
- Queensland makes registration mandatory for practising engineers
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical engineers use engineering principles to solve complex medical challenges at the intersection of healthcare and technology. These innovative professionals design various medical solutions from cochlear implants and heart pacemakers to bionic organs. Their work in regenerative medicine technologies has made them valuable assets in Australia’s healthcare world.
Biomedical Engineer Salary Range
Australia’s engineering sector offers competitive compensation to biomedical engineers. Their specialised expertise and rising demand reflect in current salary figures:
| Experience Level | Annual Salary Range (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level | 122,135 – 135,441 |
| Mid-Career | 143,133 – 183,287 |
| Senior/Experienced | 196,573 – 263,260 |
Educational Pathway and Specialised Knowledge
A career as a biomedical engineer requires:
- A bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or a related field (45% of professionals hold bachelor’s degrees)
- Master’s degrees for advanced positions (38% of professionals)
- Doctoral qualifications for research roles (7% of professionals)
Biomedical engineers need expertise in:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Biomechanics and biofluid mechanics
- Biomaterials and tissue engineering
- Electronic circuits and bioinstrumentation
- Medical imaging and neural information processing
- Biomedical engineering regulations
Engineers Australia’s professional accreditation offers international recognition through the Washington Accord, which enables worldwide career opportunities.
Chemical Engineer
Chemical engineers create valuable products from raw materials through innovative processes. Their versatile expertise in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and economics has earned them the nickname “universal engineers”. These professionals design and operate large-scale chemical processes that improve safety and efficiency in many industries. Australian chemical engineers rank as the ninth highest-paid engineering professionals.
Chemical Engineer Compensation Table
Location and experience shape the substantial compensation that chemical engineers receive in Australia. Their average yearly earnings range between AUD 145,254.07 and AUD 175,833.88.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary Range (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level | 122,319.22 |
| Mid-Career | 159,779.48 |
| Senior/Expert | 305,798.05 |
Career growth brings impressive rewards. Directors can earn around AUD 221,610.32, and project engineers follow at AUD 194,828.52.
Required Qualifications and Technical Expertise
The path to becoming a chemical engineer requires:
- Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from an accredited institution
- Professional registration with Engineers Australia (recommended, varies by state)
- Industry experience through 60 days of approved industrial training
Structural Engineer
As one of the best paying engineering jobs, structural engineers design and build the essential framework that supports buildings, bridges, and other reliable infrastructure. These skilled professionals blend their technical expertise with creative problem-solving abilities to create safe, functional structures that meet strict building codes. Their expertise also leads to impressive financial rewards.
Structural Engineer Salary Breakdown
| Experience Level | Annual Salary (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level | 152,899.02 |
| Median | 186,475.65 |
| Experienced | 254,118.18 |
Many senior structural engineers advance into project engineering positions, which can increase their earnings to AUD 221,610.32.
Educational Requirements and Professional Certification
Becoming a structural engineer requires several key steps:
- A four-year bachelor’s degree in engineering with a civil engineering focus
- Postgraduate qualifications in structural engineering to specialise
- Four years of supervised experience under an experienced structural engineer
Many professionals pursue the prestigious Chartered credential through Engineers Australia. This credential requires five years of engineering experience and proven competency in 16 elements covering personal commitment, community obligation, workplace value, and technical proficiency.
Engineering Job Outlook
Australia’s engineering workforce is undergoing a revolutionary change. The workforce needs to grow by 48% in coming years. This growth means 41,000 new engineers must join to fill vacancies, creating opportunities in engineering specializations of all types.
Fastest Growing Engineering Fields in Australia
Software and applications programming guides employment growth. The positions will grow from 153,700 in 2020 to 199,800 by 2025. Civil engineering shows similar momentum and will expand from 67,000 to 77,100 professionals in this period. Engineering management roles will reach 29,300 by 2025, showing how complex the industry has become.
The market shows strong growth in electrical engineering (reaching 29,900 professionals by 2025) and biomedical engineering (expanding 7% by 2026). Australia’s massive infrastructure investments, resource revival, and energy transition projects power this expansion.
Impact of Technology and Automation
Technology revolutionizes engineering work rather than replacing it. By 2030, automation could handle between 25% and 46% of current engineering tasks, but this creates more jobs than it removes. Technology will create 5.6 million new jobs over the next 15 years, with 25% being technology-focused roles.
Engineers will spend 60% more time using technological skills and 40% more time applying social-emotional capabilities. AI integration has become crucial, and generative AI emerges as a key force of change in the profession.
Regional Demand Variations
Engineering jobs spread unevenly across Australia. New South Wales employs 27,870 engineers, while Victoria has 25,361 and Queensland 17,163. Western Australia has 14,349 engineers, mostly serving mining and resources. Regional areas need more talent but struggle to attract engineers due to limited funding.
Comparative Salary Growth Table
| Engineering Field | Current Average Salary (AUD) | Projected 2030 Salary (AUD) | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering (Overall) | 194,333 | 219,597 | 13% |
| Mining | 327,761 | 370,370 | 13% |
| Petroleum | 201,606 | 229,819 | 14% |
| Software Engineering | 343,998 | 395,598 | 15% |
| Civil | 175,834 | 195,176 | 11% |
| Electrical | 198,769 | 225,603 | 13.5% |
Engineering careers remain recession-resistant. These roles receive some of the highest salary increases—between 9.5% and 13.2% annually. This makes engineering a financially rewarding long-term career choice.
Engineering Jobs Comparison Table
| Engineering Role | Average Annual Salary Range (AUD) | Key Requirements/Qualifications |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineer | 172,714 – 243,451 | Bachelor’s in petroleum engineering, Professional registration with Engineers Australia |
| Mining Engineer | 244,638 – 282,863 | Bachelor’s in mining/geotechnical engineering, Industry licensing |
| Software Engineering Manager | 286,041 – 433,176 | Bachelor’s in Computer Science/Software Engineering, 5+ years experience |
| Data Engineering Manager | 221,700 – 313,440 | Bachelor’s in IT/Computer Science, AWS/Databricks certifications |
| Aerospace Engineer | 137,609 – 214,823 | Bachelor’s in aerospace engineering, Professional certifications |
| Electrical Engineer | 152,899 – 251,489 | Bachelor’s in electrical engineering, Professional Engineer’s license |
| Civil Engineer | 145,254 – 175,833 | Bachelor’s in civil engineering, State registration |
| Biomedical Engineer | 122,135 – 263,260 | Bachelor’s/Master’s in biomedical engineering, Engineers Australia accreditation |
| Chemical Engineer | 122,319 – 305,798 | Bachelor’s in chemical engineering, Professional registration |
| Structural Engineer | 152,899 – 254,118 | Bachelor’s in engineering (civil focus), CPEng qualifications |
Conclusion
Australian engineering careers show incredible growth potential. Salaries range from AUD 122,135 to AUD 433,176 in engineering of all types. Petroleum engineers top the pay scale at AUD 243,451 yearly. Software and data engineering managers earn even more with packages over AUD 300,000.
The Australian engineering job market looks promising. Projections show a 48% workforce growth with 41,000 new professionals needed by 2025. Software and applications programming jobs will expand to 199,800. Civil engineering positions will reach 77,100. These numbers point to strong career opportunities in multiple sectors.
Technology changes engineering work instead of replacing it. This is a big deal as it means that 5.6 million new jobs will emerge over the next 15 years. Engineers will spend 60% more time applying technological skills. This highlights why continuous professional development matters so much.
FAQs
Q1. Which engineering field is projected to have the highest demand in Australia by 2025? Software and applications programming is expected to lead employment growth, with positions projected to increase from 153,700 in 2020 to 199,800 by 2025.
Q2. What is the average salary range for petroleum engineers in Australia? Petroleum engineers in Australia typically earn between AUD 172,714 and AUD 243,451 annually, making it one of the highest-paid engineering specializations in the country.
Q3. How is technology expected to impact highest paying engineering jobs in Australia? By 2030, between 25% and 46% of current engineering activities could be automated. However, this shift is expected to create more jobs than it eliminates, with engineers spending 60% more time using technological skills.
Q4. Which regions in Australia offer the highest employment opportunities for engineers? New South Wales leads with 27,870 engineers, followed by Victoria (25,361) and Queensland (17,163). Western Australia employs 14,349 engineers, primarily in the mining and resources sectors.
Q5. What qualifications are typically required for High Salary Engineering Jobs in Australia? Most high-paying engineering positions require a bachelor’s degree in the relevant engineering field, professional registration with Engineers Australia, and often specialized certifications. Advanced roles may require master’s degrees and several years of experience.
