Nevertheless, some non-technical roles can entice salaries in extra of $370,000, exhibiting AI is but to totally change the old style gross sales govt.
Progress and recruitment consultancy Assume and Develop launched its 2025-26 Australian Tech Wage Information, with information drawn from 80 companies within the native startup and tech sector.
VP of engineering commanded the report’s highest listed wage of $448,729, with the common engineering VP incomes $297,770.
However not the entire highest-paying roles are purely technical. Regardless of the rising position of AI, the information suggests there’s nonetheless strong demand for people able to filling essential enterprise roles.
High gross sales VPs can earn as a lot as $370,800, and a mean of $267,341, whereas VPs of individuals and tradition can take residence as a lot as $300,000, or a mean of $211,433.
Equally, finance VPs can earn as much as $300,000, in keeping with the report, or a mean of $212,741.
Salaries for advertising and marketing VPs can prolong to $350,000, and a mean of $207,857.
As AI infiltrates capabilities like resume screening and inside communications, the common HR and expertise position instructions a wage of $153,168, the report discovered.
Employers hiring for gross sales and buyer relationship positions can count on to pay a mean of $132,040.
AI on the forefront
The report discovered “heavy” funding in AI and information science, with a rising variety of machine studying and software program engineering specialists seconded into specialist roles.
AI management roles are popping up at main Australian corporates, with companies like Bunnings, Carsales, and Coles Group actively recruiting for director-level AI and machine studying expertise.
“We count on this development to proceed because the perform matures over the subsequent 24 months,” the report mentioned.
These roles usually are not but commanding the eye-watering compensation provided in Silicon Valley, with native salaries “comparatively conservative” in comparison with the seven-figure salaries provided overseas.
Compensation for AI administrators ranges between $236,380 and $250,508, the report discovered, with much more variance in hardcore technical roles.
Companies looking for a devoted head of information can count on to pay $170,000 on the low finish, and as much as $350,000 for essentially the most senior technical expertise.
Salaries for principal engineers in machine studying begin at $150,003 however can go as excessive as $250,000, with senior analytics engineers asking for between $160,000 and $180,000.
As a baseline, junior information assist specialists — employees offering administrative help and fundamental information oversight — have a median pay of $90,000.
Actual pay packets may very well be even larger, because the Assume and Develop information doesn’t embrace superannuation, bonuses, fairness, and different paid advantages.
The AI pay figures broadly correlate with extra ‘conventional’ tech roles, with the consultancy declaring AI and information science roles have gotten par for the course.
Australian tech companies “can’t afford to not put money into AI and compete with the newer AI-native firms coming by means of,” it mentioned.
Location nonetheless issues
The info reveals tech sector salaries in NSW are the best on common: software program engineering, IT, and product professionals can count on a 2.93% wage premium in comparison with the imply.
Information and AI specialists within the state have it even higher, with a 3.59% revenue bump in comparison with the general price, with govt management even higher off, claiming salaries 8.45% over the common.
Enterprise dimension does matter, too.
The report finds the smallest expertise companies have a mean wage of $136,241 throughout all capabilities, rising to $153,610 for medium-sized ventures.
The typical wage at Australia’s greatest tech gamers is $150,780 — seemingly a perform of these employers hiring extra entry-level workers than their smaller rivals, bringing the general common down.
Employers can learn the report right here.