Software developers, business analysts and cybersecurity experts are the most in-demand tech jobs in Australia, with entry level roles in these fields netting more than $100,000 salaries, according to a new report.

The 2025 Salary Guide by recruitment firm Robert Half reveals the permanent roles most in demand in the tech sector, and their average national starting salaries.

According to the report, software development is the most in-demand position, and workers in these roles are receiving about $84,000 when new to the role and up to $120,000 at the higher end.

Business analyst is the second most popular, with entry level workers fetching $112,500 and more experienced workers landing $141,000 annually.

Cybersecurity specialists enjoyed the highest salaries of all the most in-demand jobs, with the lower level averaging $133,000 and the higher end at $181,000.

The other most in-demand roles according to the report are data engineer, data analyst, systems engineer, cloud engineer and IT support.

The year of the pay rise

The report also found that many of these workers are pushing for a pay rise this year but are finding these negotiations extremely challenging.

The report, which is based on a survey of 1,000 full-time office workers including 334 in the tech industry, found that more than 90 per cent of surveyed workers plan to ask for a pay rise this year.

Almost 80 per cent of employees said it is more challenging to negotiate a pay rise this year compared to last year.

“Employees are becoming more vocal about their contributions and compensation expectations the more inflation affects their hip pocket,” Robert Half director Nicole Gorton said.

“Failing to recognise and reward top performers is a costly oversight.

“While salary increases aren’t always feasible, open communication, robust benefits packages and professional development opportunities are necessary for maintaining morale, engagement and loyalty.

“After all, competitive compensation and comprehensive rewards are essential for attracting and retaining top talent as well as remaining an employer of choice.”

The top reasons why workers are pushing for a pay rise are that they have consistently exceeded their performance goals, have taken on new projects and workloads and to help them keep pace with the cost of living.

Nearly 40 per cent of the surveyed workers said that they would look for a new job if they aren’t granted a pay rise this year.

Negotiating difficulties

This presents difficulties for Australian businesses that may be struggling with a challenging economic environment, Gorton said.

“The current work environment faces a salary dilemma,” she said.

“Employers continue to face budget constraints and focus on cost management while the demand for higher pay has become louder from employees who haven’t had a significant pay rise during a turbulent few years despite their hard work and their need to feel financially stable.”

A separate report from earlier this year found that more than three in five Australians are set to look for a new job this year, driven by rising cost-of-living pressures and dissatisfaction in the workplace.

But these people will be entering a fiercely competitive jobs market, with an average of 40 people applying for every job that is posted, according to a recent report which found that while the number of Australian job applications increased by 44 per cent in the last year, the number of jobs being created fell by 5 per cent in the same timeframe.

Australian tech workers are already the highest paid in Australia, earning $20 more per hour than the average employee, according to Employment Hero’s SmartMatch Employment Report for December last year.

It found that wages for workers in the science and technology sector increased by nearly 4 per cent from the previous month, and by more than 6 per cent year-on-year, bringing it to a median hourly rate of $63.50.