Highest Paying Engineering Jobs in Australia

Australia continues to be one of the most attractive destinations for engineers, offering high salaries, strong job growth, and clear permanent residency pathways. Over the past few years, demand for engineering professionals has increased steadily due to major investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, defense, technology, and construction.

According to recent employment data, engineering roles account for a significant share of skilled job advertisements in Australia, with thousands of vacancies consistently open nationwide. Skilled engineers remain a priority under Australia’s migration planning, making engineering one of the most secure and lucrative career paths for both local and overseas professionals.

Below is an updated overview of the highest-paying and most in-demand engineering jobs in Australia, including typical roles, salary ranges, and growth outlook.

Engineering Manager

Engineering Managers oversee the technical operations of organizations and lead teams of engineers to deliver complex projects. They are responsible for strategic planning, budgeting, performance management, and cross-functional collaboration with stakeholders and senior leadership. Demand for this role is strongest in New South Wales and Victoria, particularly in construction, energy, and technology sectors.

The average annual salary for Engineering Managers ranges between AUD 155,000 and AUD 175,000, with continued growth driven by large-scale infrastructure and digital transformation projects.

Project Engineer

Project Engineers plan, coordinate, and manage engineering projects from concept to completion. Their responsibilities include scheduling, resource management, quality assurance, documentation, and on-site supervision. This role is in high demand across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, especially in construction and civil projects.

Project Engineers typically earn between AUD 115,000 and AUD 135,000 per year, with strong employment growth reflecting Australia’s ongoing infrastructure expansion.

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace Engineers design, develop, and maintain aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and defense systems. They apply advanced engineering principles to improve performance, safety, and efficiency in aviation and defense technologies. Employment opportunities are concentrated in New South Wales and Western Australia, particularly in defense and research sectors.

Average salaries range from AUD 110,000 to AUD 130,000 annually, with steady growth supported by defense modernization and aerospace innovation.

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design and develop machinery, engines, tools, and mechanical systems used across industries such as manufacturing, transportation, mining, energy, and aviation. They rely heavily on computer-aided design and simulation tools to develop efficient systems. Demand remains strong across Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory.

Mechanical Engineers earn an average annual salary of AUD 95,000 to AUD 115,000, with stable long-term demand.

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers plan, design, and oversee the construction of infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, buildings, and water systems. They assess site conditions, prepare detailed designs, manage compliance, and ensure projects meet safety and environmental standards. Opportunities are widespread across all Australian states and territories.

Civil Engineers typically earn AUD 90,000 to AUD 110,000 per year, with strong growth driven by government-funded infrastructure and urban development projects.

Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers design, implement, and manage complex IT and network systems. They integrate hardware, software, and communication technologies while ensuring system reliability, security, and performance. This role is particularly in demand in New South Wales, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory, driven by digitalization across industries.

Average annual salaries range from AUD 105,000 to AUD 125,000, with one of the highest growth rates among engineering roles due to increasing reliance on digital infrastructure.

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design, develop, and maintain electrical systems used in sectors such as energy, telecommunications, construction, transportation, and manufacturing. They perform detailed calculations, develop system specifications, and ensure compliance with safety standards. Strong demand exists in Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.

Electrical Engineers earn approximately AUD 95,000 to AUD 115,000 annually, with sustained demand driven by renewable energy and smart infrastructure projects.

Design Engineer

Design Engineers focus on creating, testing, and improving products and systems across industries including automotive, consumer goods, manufacturing, and industrial equipment. They use advanced design software to develop prototypes, conduct performance testing, and present concepts to clients and stakeholders. Demand is highest in Victoria and South Australia.

The average salary for Design Engineers ranges from AUD 95,000 to AUD 115,000 per year, with steady growth in advanced manufacturing and product development.

Site Engineer

Site Engineers manage engineering operations directly on construction sites. They coordinate labor, materials, and equipment, ensure safety compliance, interpret technical drawings, and support project delivery. This role is essential for civil and structural projects across New South Wales, Western Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT.

Site Engineers typically earn AUD 95,000 to AUD 115,000 annually, with consistent demand tied to construction activity.

Structural Engineer

Structural Engineers specialize in designing and assessing load-bearing structures such as buildings, bridges, and towers. They ensure structures are safe, durable, and compliant with design standards by conducting inspections and site evaluations. Opportunities exist nationwide, particularly in urban development regions.

Structural Engineers earn between AUD 85,000 and AUD 105,000 per year, with strong growth as Australia continues large-scale construction and redevelopment projects.

Demand for Skilled Engineers in Australia

Australia faces a long-term shortage of skilled engineers across multiple disciplines. Nearly half of Australia’s engineering workforce consists of overseas-trained professionals, highlighting the country’s reliance on skilled migration. Engineering occupations remain a priority under Australia’s skilled migration framework, including the Skilled Occupation Lists and state nomination programs.

Demand continues to grow in areas such as civil, electrical, mechanical, software, mining, structural, transport, geotechnical, and petroleum engineering. This trend is expected to continue as Australia invests heavily in infrastructure, clean energy, defense, and technology.

Planning Your Australian PR as an Engineer

Engineering professionals benefit from clear pathways to Australian permanent residency, including skilled independent, state nomination, and employer-sponsored visas. Choosing the right occupation, skills assessment, and migration strategy is critical to success.

If you are planning to apply for an Australia PR visa, Uttervision can support you throughout the process—from eligibility assessment to final visa approval. Use our free Australia PR Points Calculator to check your eligibility and receive personalized guidance from a dedicated immigration specialist.

Contact Uttervision today to take the next step toward your engineering career in Australia.