ATO Releases Top Earning Jobs In Australia
The Australian Taxation Office has published its annual data revealing the country’s highest paying professions. Medical, financial, legal, and mining roles dominate the list compiled from tax returns filed during the 2022–23 financial year. The report offers insight into the significant incomes earned by a select group of professionals.
Surgeons Lead Earnings With $472,475
Surgeons have retained their top position as the country’s highest earners. The average annual income for surgeons reached $472,475, marking a $12,119 increase. Only 4,247 Australians currently work as surgeons, making this group small but highly compensated. Their earnings exceed the national average taxable income of $74,240 by over six times.
A surgeon averages a salary of $472,475 annually in Australia
Anaesthetists Follow With $447,193
Anaesthetists ranked second on the list. They earned an average of $447,193, showing a rise of $16,000 compared to the previous year. With only 3,658 workers in this profession, anaesthetists continue to report high income levels.
Financial Dealers Top Non-Medical Roles
Financial dealers hold the highest average income among non-medical roles. Their average earnings were $355,233, based on returns from 5,147 people. This amount dropped by $18,500 from the previous year. Financial dealers include professionals conducting transactions on financial markets such as stockbrokers.
Financial dealers averaged an annual earnings of $355,233, the highest in a non-medical role
Internal Medicine And Psychiatry Still Rank High
Internal medicine specialists earned an average of $342,457 annually. This represents a rise of $1,728 compared to the earlier data. Psychiatrists followed closely with earnings of $286,146, an increase of $9,601. Both roles remain in the top five earners list.
Other Medical Practitioners Earn $259,802
Other general medical practitioners reported average earnings of $259,802. This category saw a rise of $4,048 compared to last year’s figures. Medical professionals consistently feature in the highest paying occupations, reflecting the value placed on healthcare skills.
Mining Engineers And Legal Professionals Included
Mining engineers earned an average of $206,423, despite seeing a decline of $7,942. Judicial and other legal professionals earned $206,408, with a slight increase of $1,474. These fields continue to attract high salaries despite variations in year-on-year income.
Despite a decline of $7,942, Mining Engineers managed an average income of $206,423 annually
Chief Executives Earn $194,987 On Average
Chief executive officers and managing directors are the highest-paid group by size. A total of 231,103 people reported working in these roles. Their average income reached $194,987, although this figure dropped by $2,733. The scale of this workforce makes it the most populated high-income group in Australia.
Investment Advisors Earn $191,986
Financial investment advisors and managers round out the top ten earners. This group earned $191,986 on average, marking an increase of $6,152. Financial services continue to feature prominently among Australia’s highest earners.
Average Income Rises To $74,240
The national average income rose to $74,240 in 2022–23, up from $72,327 previously. This increase reflects broader wage growth across various sectors. The median income, sitting at $55,868, also rose from the earlier $53,041.
The national average income rose to $74,240 in 2022–23
Most Taxpayers Earn Between $45,001 And $120,000
According to ATO data, 44.9 per cent of taxpayers fall within the $45,001 to $120,000 income bracket. Only 5.3 per cent of Australians earn more than $180,000 annually. This group, however, contributes 37 per cent of the country’s total net tax.
The 10 highest-earning fields shared by ATO
Super Balances Also Increased
The average superannuation account balance reached $172,834, up from $164,126 in the previous year. The median super balance increased to $60,037, rising from $57,912. These gains suggest continued growth in retirement savings across different demographics.
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ABS Data Shows Earnings Growth
Additional figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics provide more recent income details. Average weekly ordinary time earnings for full-time adults hit $1,975.80 in November 2024. This equates to $102,741.60 annually and represents a 4.6 per cent annual increase.
Professional Salaries Remain Concentrated
The ATO’s findings highlight strong earning power among a small set of professionals. Roles in surgery, anaesthesia, finance, law, and mining continue to deliver high returns. These positions typically require extensive education, training, and responsibility.
Conclusion
Australia’s highest paying jobs have seen moderate income changes but continue to be dominated by medical professionals. Financial and executive roles also remain strong earners. The data underscores existing disparities in income distribution, with a small proportion of professionals earning disproportionately high wages.
