Aquent's 2025 salary guide reveals shifting job market in Australia's marketing, design and tech sectors
Aquent has unveiled its 2025 Australian Salary Guide, drawing on data from over 5,500 professionals across the marketing, design, and technology sectors to paint a picture of a multifaceted hiring environment shaped by economic uncertainty, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) priorities, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), and evolving remote work policies.
The report indicates that technology roles have experienced the most substantial salary growth, with an increase of 11.4 per cent year-on-year. Marketing roles followed with an 8.8 per cent rise, while creative design roles saw a 6.4 per cent increase. Despite these gains, the gender pay gap persists, though it has narrowed from 16 per cent to 11 per cent over the past year. However, disparities remain in certain positions within these fields.
Generative AI and immersive technologies are noted as key factors reshaping roles within these industries. New positions are emerging in design, engineering, and operations as a result of these technological advancements.
The guide also highlights the impact of return-to-office mandates and the rollback of remote work policies on flexibility and work-life balance. These changes are influencing both employee retention and recruitment efforts.
2024 saw an inundated talent pool from recruitment freezes and fewer job openings, to redundancies and budget cuts, said Aquent Australia’s Managing Director, Monique Richards. In 2025, the return-to-office mandates and rollback of remote policies have added complexity for both employers and candidates, particularly around flexibility and work-life balance.
The report suggests that companies offering hybrid work options may gain a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talent as the job market recovers. This shift is particularly relevant as organisations navigate the challenges posed by the evolving employment landscape.
https://www.mi-3.com.au/13-02-2025/aquents-2025-salary-guide-reveals-shifting-job-market-australias-marketing-design-and
