Results
7.7% employment growth, diverse industries, competitive salaries
Rockhampton's employment grew by 7.7% over the past year, significantly outpacing NSW's strong 4.2% growth. With 86,061 people employed in the city (56% full-time, 37% part-time), Rockhampton offers genuine career diversity and opportunity.
Beyond the mining legacy
While Rockhampton built its reputation on coal and steel, today's economy tells a different story. The city has transformed into a knowledge hub where medical researchers collaborate with tech entrepreneurs, where engineering expertise serves renewable energy projects, and where creative professionals find genuine commercial opportunities. This isn't just economic diversification - it's evolution into Australia's most dynamic regional centre.
The professional opportunity
Rockhampton offers something unique in Australia's employment landscape: the career advancement opportunities of a major city without the crushing competition and lifestyle sacrifices. Here, talented professionals aren't just another face in a corporate crowd - they're Recognised contributors to a growing, collaborative business community where innovation and work-life integration aren't just buzzwords, they're daily reality.
Competitive edge
Your career progression accelerates here. In Sydney or Melbourne, you might spend years working toward senior roles while battling traffic and astronomical living costs. In Rockhampton, companies compete for talent by offering genuine advancement opportunities, flexible work arrangements, and compensation packages that reflect the lower cost of living. Many professionals find they can reach leadership positions faster while maintaining the lifestyle that originally attracted them to their career.
The Rockhampton network effect
Business relationships here extend beyond boardrooms. Industry connections develop over beachside coffee meetings, collaborative projects emerge from weekend sailing club conversations, and career opportunities often surface through the tight-knit professional community that characterizes Rockhampton's business environment. It's relationship-driven commerce that actually enhances both business outcomes and personal satisfaction. Median annual salaries range from $65,000 to $85,000 (varying by industry), with weekly salary ranges of $1,250 to $1,635.
Professional networking
& career development
The Hunter Business Chamber hosts monthly networking events and provides business advocacy. Rockhampton Business Network offers weekly breakfast meetings with referral opportunities. Industry-specific groups include Engineers Australia Hunter for technical presentations, Institute of Public Accountants for professional development, and Australian Marketing Institute for marketing professionals.
