Holding not just your life in your hands, surgeons also grab a large share of our money, according to the latest data.
These highly-skilled medical specialists remained the highest earning Australians with an average income of $472,475 in 2022/23, according to the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) Individuals statistics for Taxation statistics 2022–23.
They beat their operating table allies, anaesthetists, who earned $447,193, with financial dealers ($355,233) third.
Other members of the medical profession also ranked highly with internal medicine specialists, psychiatrists and other medical practitioners listed in the top 10.
This was in a period when the average taxable income was $74,240 as men ($86,199) out-earned women ($62,046).
However the ATO showed a degree was not required for a higher pay packet with drillers, miners and shot firers earning the biggest salaries without going to university.
They earn an average salary of $133,873 per year, according to a Yahoo Finance article.
Train or tram drivers were in second place with average earnings of $132,938 while electricians and distribution trade workers rounded out the top three with $128,851.
But most of these workers needed technical qualifications like a Certificate II or III or at least one year of relevant experience to get the job.