Project Manager Salary Australia: New Pay, Growth & More 2025

Written by

Inayat Sharma

Fact check by

Divyansh Chaudhari

Updated on

Aug 28,2025

Project Manager Salary Australia: Complete Guide to Earnings - TerraTern

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The importance of having a top-notch project manager salary Australia cannot be overemphasised, as professionals in the field not only have ensured their project management jobs in Australia salary. By 2025, the Australian PM environment will be very dynamic, as it focuses on big infrastructure projects, a thriving technology industry, and a persistent trend toward digital transformation.

In this intensive primer, we discuss everything you need to know about project manager salaries in Australia, including the average salary levels across the entire nation, higher rates in major cities, and the crucial variables that can have a significant impact on pay rates.

 

What is the Average Salary of Project Manager in Australia? 2025 Breakdown

To conclude the average wage of a project manager salary Australia, it is important to access different sources of data since their value differs according to the approach of the source in question. The national average gives a good indication of what you can expect, with differences informing you of the ways a lack of experience or a given industry and location can affect it. Let’s know more on the average salary of project manager in Australia.

National Salaries of Project Managers

According to an average of the most popular recruitment and occupational market websites, the national average wages of a project management jobs in Australia salary in 2025 can be considered within the range of economic competition. The main average salary of project manager in Australia are these:

Source

Average Annual Salary (AUD)

Indeed

129,995

Michael Page

163,750

Randstad

135,000

Clicks.com

145,000

 

Salary Range by Experience Level

Your project manager salary Australia strongly depends on the number of years of experience and the level of complexity of projects you have been able to deliver. The wages line indicates a substantial increase between low-ranking and high-ranking jobs.

  • Entry Level: If a person wishes to begin a career as a project manager, the compensation would range between 110,000 and 132,500. It is the basis on which any professional develops his or her skills and track record.

  • Mid-Level: Your salary can go as high as 135,000 or 145,000 based on the number of years of experience. This is the phase where you take on handling bigger projects with less supervision.

  • Senior Level: Project managers who may be involved in managing several complex projects/programmes often exceed the highest salary scale, which may be 160,000 to 162,500. At the high-level positions, this may become quite costly. 

Also Read: Top 10 Best Paying Jobs in Australia | New Expert Guide

Project Management Jobs in Australia: Salary by Major Cities in 2025

Location is one of the main determinants of a project management salary. Large metropolitan centres, particularly ones with a very industrial-specific demand attraction, pay higher compensations to overcome the higher cost of living and to attract top talent.

City

Average Annual Salary Range

Key Industry Drivers & Insights

Sydney

135,000 - 168,525

As the nation's financial and technology hub, Sydney offers the highest project manager salary Australia. Premiums are common in construction, finance, and IT, with senior roles in these sectors often exceeding 200,000. The cost of living is the highest in the country, but the compensation reflects this.

Melbourne

120,715 - 183,750

Melbourne's robust economy, particularly in the fintech and healthcare sectors, supports strong project management jobs in Australia with a salary. The city offers a dynamic job market with a wide range of opportunities in both traditional and emerging industries.

Brisbane

140,000 - 160,000

Salaries in Brisbane are seeing a significant boost due to the intense preparations and construction boom for the 2032 Olympics. Large government infrastructure projects are also a major driver of demand and high compensation in the region.

Perth

140,000 - 160,000

The mining and resources sector is the primary force behind Perth's competitive project manager salary Australia. Project managers with experience in large-scale resource and engineering projects can command significant premiums, often earning well above the national average.

Adelaide

110,000 - 145,000

Adelaide offers a stable and attractive project manager salary Australia for project managers, especially when considering the city's more affordable cost of living. Opportunities are strong in defence, technology, and health sciences.

Canberra

120,000 - 140,000+

As the nation's capital, Canberra has a consistent demand for project managers, particularly in the government and public sector. Roles here are often focused on large-scale government programs and IT transformations, offering stability and strong earnings.

Darwin

120,000 - 146,000

The project management market in Darwin is niche, with a focus on government projects, resources, and construction. While the volume of roles may be lower, compensation can be very competitive, with a notable number of senior roles reaching up to 204,000.

What are the Factors Affecting a Project Manager's Salary in Australia in 2025?

Besides location and experience, numerous additional factors can have an enormous effect on the Icz Sett Fran novel (Castlevania). Being aware of such determinants is important to maximise your earnings and to plot your career path.

Industry-Based Salary Premiums

Among the more significant determinants of your pay is the industry you practise in. High-value/high-growth segments pay a substantial premium since they are usually large and difficult projects that are strategically important.

Industry

Average Salary Range (AUD)

Key Insights

Technology

150,000 - 330,000+

The highest project manager salary in Australia, particularly in leading tech firms like Amazon, is a result of complex digital transformation and software development projects.

Construction

185,000 - 300,000+

Driven by a national infrastructure and housing boom, this sector rewards experience with massive project values.

Finance & Banking

160,000 - 220,000

Fintech and regulatory change projects command the top project management jobs in Australia in terms of salary.

Healthcare

140,000 - 180,000

The sector is undergoing rapid digitalisation, creating high demand for skilled project managers.

Government

120,000 - 160,000

Offers stability and a competitive project manager salary in Australia, especially in large-scale public sector projects.

 

What is the impact of Professional Certifications on the Project Manager's Salary in Australia?

A professional certification is a practical way to show your competency and devotion to the profession and to directly affect your earnings.

  • The PMP Certification: The Project Management Professional, or PMP, certification is a qualification that is considered a gold standard and an effective project manager salary Australia bargaining chip since certified professionals earn some 33 per cent extra on average.

  • PRINCE2 Certification: This is well established in Australia, and the certification is mandatory in projects adopted by governments and large corporations, and this will pay you a good project manager salary Australia.

  • Agile/Scrum Master Certifications: With the rise of Agile or Scrum methodologies in organisations, certifications such as Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or SAFe are becoming more common and, as such, result in a premium project manager salary in Australia, especially within the tech industry.

Project Size and Complexity

The size and cost of the works that you supervise are a clear reflection of your ability, and hence your pay. An increased number of more complicated projects gives way to further payment.

  • Projects covering less than 100,000; median project manager salary Australia of 79,329

  • Projects of 2 M-5 M: An average wage of 150,000

  • Projects 5M-10M: The average project manager salary in Australia is 180,000.

  • Projects over 10M: Projects with a budget greater than 10M have a median salary of 132,216+, whereas it also surges well beyond at the top of the scale.

How to Increase Your Project Manager Salary Australia? Updated Guide 2025

A competitive tactical approach to career growth is vital to advance up the earning ladder. It is not only a question of waiting till the next promotion; it is a question of taking steps to increase your value to the market.

Academic Credentials and Training

Given that experience is vital, formal education and training, in combination with continuous training, are valuable tools in terms of salary increments.

  • Master's Degree: A master's degree in a related discipline, such as project management or business administration, can help you increase your project manager salary in Australia and allow you to be considered for management roles.

  • Professional Certification ROI: Return on investment in certification is huge. Pick out those that are relevant to your target industry first.

  • Lifelong Learning: The sector of project management is ever-changing. Continuous learning in terms of new methodologies, tools, and technologies is also important to any long-term career success.

Career Development Paths

A proper knowledge of the career ladder will enable you to pursue positions that are highly satisfying financially and in terms of importance.

  • Senior PM: By becoming a Senior PM, it is possible to achieve a greater increase in project manager salary Australia in comparison to the previous stages.

  • Programme Manager and Portfolio Manager: These are senior, strategic positions that entail managing several projects or an entire portfolio of organisational projects and enjoy a large pay premium.

  • Director-Level Opportunities: The most senior of professionals will find director-level career opportunities paying the highest project manager salary Australia and gain a vantage point at the executive table, whose responsibilities present a focus on strategic project alignment and organisational objectives.

Specialisation and Niche Markets

Focusing on an area that is in demand allows you to develop a speciality and become a valuable employee who commands better rates.

  • High-Need Industries: You will be able to get your foot in the door by specialising in firms with high demand and short supply in a few industries, such as technology, construction, and finance.

  • New Frontiers in Technology Ventures: Having provisions for technology ventures involving AI, machine learning, cyber security or data analytics can result in earning a substantial project manager salary Australia.

  • Government and Infrastructure Drive: With continued government investment in large-scale public infrastructure projects, there is a constant requirement for project managers with experience in working in the complex public sector environment. 

Also Read: Part-Time Job Salary in Australia: Latest Pay, Scope

Comparison of Project Manager Salary – Australia and Global Markets

In the context of the world market, the project manager salary in Australia is extremely competitive, thus making the country a very marketable place to get the right talent, both locally and internationally.

More Global Salary Rankings

Australia is one of the states that offers a high project manager salary Australia to project managers, and that speaks of its well-developed economy and need for qualified professionals.

Country

Median Annual Salary (USD)

Australia

103,789

United States

Higher than Australia

Germany

99,512

UK

87,993

Singapore

79,464

Australia is ranked in third place, indicating the importance attached to project management skills in an economy as diverse and high-performing as Australia.

What is the Projection of Project Manager Pay in Australia 2025?

The outlook of project manager salary Australia is promising, and many trends give information about further increases in project manager salaries as well as career opportunities.

Market Trends and Market Forces

  • Digital Transformation Projects: As Australian businesses continue the trend of investing in digital transformation, the need for project managers who can manage and lead these changes remains high.

  • Infrastructure Investment Influence: This is a long-term promise to major infrastructure investment that will provide decades of high-value, high-paying jobs.

  • Skills Shortage Implications: There has been a sustained shortage of certain skills in specific sectors, which has seen employers willing to go to extra lengths to attract and retain quality talent, making skilled professionals homes in this market.

  • Remote Work Salary Adjustments: The emergence of remote and hybrid work has proven to make way for new pay schemes, where some organisations use location-based pay that has the potential to result in lower earnings.

Latest Facts and News (2025) 

The Australian project management profession is financially and careeristically a powerhouse. The most recent reports have shown that:

  • Australian project managers are amongst the highest paid in the world, with average earnings of US$103,789 (AU$150,000+).

  • PMP-certified professionals in Australia have a high premium, as they are reported to be earning less than 33 per cent higher salaries than their non-certified peers.

  • Project management is a well-paid job, and according to the latest survey carried out by the Project Management Institute, an impressive 66 per cent of Australian project managers received a project manager salary Australia raise last year, which is an indication of the high demand in the field.

  • The premium salaries are being fuelled by construction and infrastructure projects, with some Sydney-based PMs on major projects earning between 250,000 and 300,000 and more.

  • The strong preparations, including the intense construction rally towards the 2032 Olympics, are making the project managers in Brisbane observe a worthy 11% above the national average.

  • As one of the leaders in the tech industry, Amazon Australia pays some of the most employee-desired tech salary rates, with ASD203,000 and ASD330,000 a year.

 

Conclusion

The project management profession in Australia in 2025 is a lucrative and secure career path. With median salaries placing Australian project managers among the world's highest earners, the outlook is exceptionally positive. Your earning potential is directly tied to your experience, the industry you choose, your location, and most importantly, your commitment to professional development and certification.

To maximise your project manager salary Australia, focus on gaining a PMP certification, specialising in a high-demand industry like technology or construction, and strategically positioning yourself for senior-level roles. Whether you are a new graduate or a seasoned professional, the Australian market offers a wealth of opportunities to build a rewarding and financially successful career in project management. Visit TerraTern to learn more!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average project manager salary in Australia?

The average project manager salary in Australia typically ranges from $129,995 to $163,750 annually, though this varies significantly based on experience level, location, and industry sector. Entry-level project managers can expect to earn around $85,000-$105,000, while senior project managers with extensive experience often command salaries exceeding $180,000. Factors such as company size, project complexity, and specialised certifications also influence compensation packages. Metropolitan areas generally offer higher salaries compared to regional locations, reflecting the higher cost of living and increased demand for skilled professionals in major cities.

Do project managers get paid well in Australia?

Yes, Australian project managers are among the world's highest earners, with competitive salaries that reflect the high demand for skilled professionals in this field. The strong Australian economy, particularly in sectors like mining, construction, and technology, drives excellent compensation packages. Project managers enjoy not only attractive base salaries but also comprehensive benefits, including superannuation, performance bonuses, professional development opportunities, and flexible working arrangements. Career progression opportunities are abundant, with many professionals advancing to senior management roles, consulting positions, or specialised program management positions that offer even higher earning potential.

Which city in Australia pays project managers the most?

Sydney and Brisbane typically offer the highest project manager salaries across Australia, with Sydney averaging around $168,525 annually and Brisbane exceeding $144,000. Melbourne follows closely with competitive packages, while Perth offers strong salaries, particularly in the mining and resources sectors. These major cities command premium salaries due to higher living costs, greater concentration of multinational corporations, and intense competition for experienced talent. However, regional areas sometimes offer attractive packages to attract skilled professionals, including relocation benefits, housing allowances, and lifestyle perks that can make total compensation competitive with metropolitan offerings.

How much does PMP certification increase salary in Australia?

PMP certification can increase project manager salaries by up to 33% according to PMI studies, making it one of the most valuable professional credentials in the field. Certified project managers typically earn $15,000-$25,000 more annually than their non-certified counterparts. The certification demonstrates mastery of industry best practices, risk management, and leadership skills that employers highly value. Additionally, PMP certification opens doors to senior roles, international assignments, and consulting opportunities. Many Australian companies specifically seek PMP-certified professionals for complex projects, and the credential often serves as a prerequisite for advancement to program manager or portfolio manager positions.

What industries pay project managers the most in Australia?

Technology companies, particularly global giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, offer the highest project manager salaries in Australia, often exceeding $200,000 for senior roles. The construction and infrastructure sector follows closely, driven by major government projects and urban development initiatives. Financial services and banking also provide excellent compensation, especially for regulatory compliance and digital transformation projects. Mining and resources companies offer competitive packages, particularly for roles in Western Australia and Queensland. Healthcare, telecommunications, and consulting firms round out the top-paying industries, with specialised knowledge in areas like cybersecurity or artificial intelligence commanding premium salaries.