Rewarding jobs that pay well

Given that about a third of our life is spent working, doesn’t it make sense to have a rewarding job? While it’s not always easy to figure out what would match your skills and ambitions, there are plenty of roles out there that will make you happy while remunerating you fairly.

If you’re thinking about a career change or planning to study for a particular role, here’s what you need to know about some of the most fulfilling jobs in Australia.

Finding a career that suits your lifestyle

Choosing a career that matches your values and interests is so important for your long-term happiness and job satisfaction. But it tends to be thrust upon you at a time when you’re just finishing school and wondering what you’ll be studying at university – which can be overwhelming. The good news is that even if you end up in a career you don’t love, there’s always the opportunity to make a switch.

While financial compensation should remain an important consideration, it’s just as valuable to find a career that will fulfil you personally and allow you to spend your days doing something you’re passionate about. Get that right and it can make all the difference to your overall wellbeing.

Highest-paying jobs in Australia

Australia is lucky enough to have a diverse job market with plenty of opportunities across all industries. Here are some examples of the most rewarding jobs you might want to consider (that can actually pay quite well too):

Medicine

Job title: Medical Specialist

Salary: $200,000–$400,000+ per year

Qualification: Medical degree, specialist training and registration with the Medical Board of Australia.

Role expectations: Medical specialists span everything from cardiologists to obstetricians to neurologists to paediatricians and beyond. Whatever area you plan to specialise in, your day-to-day job will involve diagnosing and treating complex medical conditions. You’ll work in hospitals or private practices (or both) and deliver expert care to patients. While the role is demanding, it’s also highly rewarding – both financially and in terms of your impact on patients’ lives.

Nursing

Job title: Nurse Unit Manager

Salary: $125,000–$135,000+ per year

Qualification: Bachelor of Nursing, registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, and extensive on-site experience.

Role expectations: You’ll oversee the daily operations of a hospital nursing unit, working to ensure the delivery of high-quality patient care, managing staff and coordinating with other healthcare professionals. It’s a role that gives you a balance of clinical and administrative responsibilities, making it both challenging and rewarding.

Teaching

Job title: Secondary school teacher

Salary: $100,000–$110,000+ per year

Qualification: Bachelor of Education or postgraduate teaching qualification, registration with the relevant state or territory education board.

Role expectations: Secondary school teachers educate children in specific subjects, prepare lesson plans, grade student progress and provide guidance throughout the year. Teaching could give you the satisfaction of helping to shape young minds while also contributing to the future success of your students.

Engineering

Job title: Civil Engineer

Salary: $90,000–$115,000+ per year

Qualification: Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) and registration with Engineers Australia

Role expectations: As a civil engineer, you’ll get to design, construct and maintain infrastructure projects around the country – or even the world. This includes everything from roads and bridges to skyscrapers and beyond. You’ll combine your technical skills with creativity to solve complex problems and improve community living standards on a daily basis.

Computing and information systems

Job title: IT Manager

Salary: $120,000–$140,000+ per year

Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or related field, extensive experience and professional certifications

Role expectations: IT Managers look after the technology infrastructure of their employer. In this role, you’ll also be responsible for managing the entire IT team and making sure your systems are both secure and highly efficient. It’s a dynamic role that demands continuous learning/upskilling and adoption of emerging technologies.

Law and paralegal studies

Job title: Lawyer

Salary: $95,000–$115,000+ per year

Qualification: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD), admission to practice law in Australia

Role expectations: If you want to be a lawyer, your day will involve giving legal advice to clients, representing them in court, drafting legal documents and much more. You can specialise in different fields like corporate law, criminal law or family law, and overall it's a profession that is both intellectually stimulating and has a long runway in terms of your ultimate earning potential – especially if you have further ambitions as a barrister, magistrate or judge.

For additional information on high-paying careers and the qualifications required, there are lots of resources available like the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and Labour Market Insights.

Protect your assets

Now that you know what rewarding jobs are out there – both vocation-wise and financially – you can set yourself on an exciting new trajectory. Any career change is a major life milestone, so you should consider updating your life insurance or explore a new policy with Guardian Insurance to protect yourself and your loved ones against life’s twists and turns.