Top 10 fastest-growing salaries

Thinking of a career or job change? Targeting industries where salaries are increasing at a steady rate should be one of the factors on your checklist.

Fast wage growth means higher demand for workers and potentially more negotiating power sitting in the hands of skilled employees and job seekers.

SEEK has crunched the numbers to reveal the fields where wages are growing fastest.

The research also found that those who choose to change jobs were able to achieve a 1.6x salary increase compared to those who stayed in the same role.

If you are considering a career or job change, you’re already well placed to secure a higher salary, and putting these professions on your list will give you an even better chance.

1. Fitter technician

Those who fabricate, install and repair heavy machinery saw a whopping 28 per cent leap in their wages in the past year, with the average salary in the field now $93,400.

How to get there: You’ll need a vocational qualification, which can be done full or part time as part of an apprenticeship. Many employers are also looking for applicants with forklift, working in confined spaces, and working at heights licences.
Fitter Technician Trades & Services Jobs in All Australia – SEEK

2. Aircraft maintenance engineer

Well and truly bouncing back from the Covid years, this profession, involving the installation, repair and maintenance of private and commercial aircraft, saw wages rise 27 per cent to an average of $144,800.

How to get there: You’ll generally need a Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical), often completed as part of an apprenticeship. Some employers also require a Civil Aviation Safety Regulations maintenance engineer licence.
Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics Jobs in All Australia – SEEK

Personal carers are carers for vulnerable individuals, and provide help with daily tasks. Photo: Getty

3. Personal carer residential

Australia’s ageing population means personal carers will always be in demand, and with more elderly people choosing to age in their own homes the residential sector has seen 25 per cent wage growth, to an average of $62,400.

Residential home carers visit the elderly and others who need help, providing assistance with everything from cooking and cleaning to bathing and dressing.

How to get there: You don’t necessarily need a formal qualification, though many employers require a Certificate III in Individual Support.

Knowledge of first aid, volunteer experience at seniors or disability services and a love of meeting new people will also hold you in good stead.
Personal Carer Residential Healthcare & Medical Jobs in All Australia – SEEK

4. Support assistant

Providing help across a range of community services and development roles, support assistance has seen wage growth of 24 per cent, to an average of $69,700.

Whether it’s providing support to a council activities program or providing customer service, the range of industries requiring support assistants is wide and varied.

How to get there:  While different industries have different requirements, the ability to multitask, great communication skills and the ability to work in a team are common to most.

A first aid certificate, previous customer service experience and data entry skills may also be helpful.
Support Assistant Community Services & Development Jobs in All Australia – SEEK

5. Roadtrain operator

A 24 per cent wage growth for roadtrain operators brought them to an average wage of $113,200. You’ll need a MC (multi combination) licence, permitting driving of the largest and heaviest class of vehicles in Australia.

How to get there: There’s a variety of private courses available to get the MC licence, but just as important is the ability to work autonomously for often long hours, and patience.
Roadtrain Operator Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics Jobs in All Australia – SEEK

6. Retail team leader

The demand for retail team leaders saw wages in this sector grow 21 per cent to an average of $60,200.

How to get there: Previous retail experience is generally needed to move into a position involving supervision of a retail sales team.

A warm and engaging manner with people, the ability to motivate others and great organisational skills are vital.
Retail Team Leader Retail & Consumer Products Jobs in All Australia – SEEK

7. Retail team member

Mirroring the demand for team leaders was the demand for team members, which also saw wage growth of 21 per cent to $54,400.

How to get there: Retail provides an excellent bottom-up opportunity to break into an industry which can offer an exciting and diverse career, with on-the-job learning a feature of many roles on offer.
Team Member Retail & Consumer Products Jobs in All Australia – SEEK

Seek research found those who changed roles had a 1.6x greater salary increase than those who stayed in the same job. Photo: Getty

8. Planner

There’s virtually no industry that doesn’t involve the skills of a planner, whether it’s in the area of logistics, supply chain, scheduling or project management. That may explain the 21 per cent wage growth rise, to $82,200.

How to get there: Formal qualifications may not be necessary, depending on the industry you choose, but excellent organisational skills are an absolute must.
Planner Administration & Office Support Jobs in All Australia – SEEK

9. Operations engineer

With wage growth of 19 per cent, to an average of $123,500, operations engineers, with their skills in improving and streamlining industrial processes, are in hot demand.

How to get there: Operations engineers can span many industries, from IT to transport, to manufacturing. You’ll likely need a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, but an enthusiasm for troubleshooting and analysis will be needed too.
Operations Engineer Engineering Jobs in All Australia – SEEK

10. Carer

Healthcare and medical carers saw an 18 per cent rise in wage growth, to $63,200.  Carers cite the knowledge they are making a tangible difference in people’s lives as one of their motivating factors.

How to get there: A variety of certificates, diplomas and certificates are available for those who aspire to be carers.

Experience within the NDIS, first aid qualifications and computer literacy will also be impressive additions to a resume.
Carer Healthcare & Medical Jobs in All Australia – SEEK

And the next 10

To see the fastest-growing salaries for more industries, head to SEEK Career Advice.

Source: SEEK data, roles based on average advertised salaries for job ads listed on SEEK from Jul-Dec 22 to Jul-Dec 23. A minimum threshold of job ads on SEEK is required for a role to appear in this list.