In the ever-shifting landscape of the Australian labor market, Employment Hero’s exclusive  data reveals a fascinating divide between the roles that command the highest wages and those that demand the most time. For small business owners and HR leads, understanding these trends is the key to navigating a market that is as much about resilience as it is about remuneration.

There’s Money To Be Made Way Out West (Or North)

When it comes to the highest median hourly wages, the best paid are employees doing the original kind of ‘remote’ work: Station Hands employed on vast properties in remote parts of Australia. Employment Hero data suggests these roles are paying as much as $187.30 per hour, perhaps due to the critical shortage of skilled labor in the agricultural sector.

Away from the land, technical expertise demands a premium. General Practitioners – also in short supply – are second on the list with a median rate of $155.30 per hour, closely followed by Chief Technology Officers at $120.10. 

Elsewhere, the demand for specialized oversight remains high with Construction Managers earning $98.70 and Engineering Managers pulling in $97.20. It is a clear signal that even in a cooling economy, specialised management and niche technical skills are the ultimate currency.

The Midnight Oil Club: These Workers Keep The Economy Moving

While some sectors debate the merits of a four-day work week, the engine room of the Australian economy is still grinding out the hours. 

Local delivery drivers are officially the hardest workers in the country, clocking a massive average of 179.60 hours per month. Not far behind are employees in the mining and construction sectors, with Mining Engineers at 171.20 hours and Geologists at 161.1, and Construction Workers racking up 170.9 hours weekly. 

Auto Electricians (160.9 hours per week), Diesel Mechanics (160 hours) and Service Engineers (157.7 hours) are flat out meeting demand, while Growth Managers are the only office workers making the top ten list, working 156.6 hours per week.

These figures illustrate the physical reality of Australia’s growth. Despite the digital revolution, the logistics and infrastructure sectors are the ones pulling the longest shifts to keep the country moving. For HR leads, these numbers drive home the risk of burnout in these critical frontline roles.

The ‘Sticky’ Roles Where Loyalty Trumps The Paycheck

Data reveals the highest pay does not guarantee longevity. Security Officers have a lower attrition rate than any other job. Software Developers, Accountants and Community Support Workers are the next most-likely to remain in their roles. General retail staff, traffic controllers, pharmacy assistants and project managers are also less inclined to move around.

This stability shift suggests that in 2026, employees are prioritising job security and a sense of purpose over the lure of a higher hourly rate elsewhere. SMEs in these fields may not be able to offer the $187-an-hour wage available to some Station Hands, but they can compete by providing strong cultures and job satisfaction as the ultimate workplace perks.the broader labour market respond in the weeks and months ahead will shape the narrative around RTO in Ontario’s public service and beyond.