Technology professionals will get an average increase of 2.6 per cent in their pay packets this year. Salaries for finance and accounting workers will increase by an average of 2.1 per cent.

Overall, the Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded the lowest levels of growth in wages, hitting 1.9 per cent in 2016.

Financial analysts, business advisory managers, accounts receivable managers and management accountants are set to get the highest salary increases this year according to a new salaries guide by recruiter Robert Half.

The report says the biggest gains in starting salaries are in Brisbane, with pay cheques in finance and accounting jobs set to rise by 3.5 percent. Melbourne is second with increases of 2.5 per cent.

In Sydney, salaries for finance jobs will increase by an average of 1.7 per cent. They will edge up 0.8 per cent in Perth.

David Jones, senior managing director at Robert Half Asia Pacific, said the steady wage growth in finance sector jobs was despite record low wage growth for many industries across Australia.

"In Brisbane, company confidence is returning after the downturn of the resources boom and businesses are expanding, which is creating renewed demand for skilled finance professionals and placing positive pressure on salaries," Mr Jones said.

"Melbourne is also growing steadily alongside Sydney, however salary growth rates are higher in Melbourne following years of sustained growth in the Sydney market.

"There is significant positive sentiment coming from the Perth market, whilst not resulting in the same salary increases as the East Coast, it's clear to see there's light at the end of the tunnel after the mining downturn."

Mr Jones said the growing influence of technology means finance professionals with IT skills are in high demand.

Those who can make finance businesses more efficient and "streamline their company's processes will be in a strong position to negotiate a higher salary," he said.

"Top IT candidates, especially those in the development and cyber-security/IT security space, will typically receive multiple job offers, leaving them well-placed to drive their salary negotiations.

"Employers will be faced with IT specialists leaving the organisation when they are offered a better remuneration package [elsewhere]."

THE TOP PAID FINANCE JOBS:

1. Financial Analyst

2017 min: $80,000

2017 max: $112,000

Year on Year growth: + 4.2%

Financial analysts are highly valuable to organisations in terms of their ability to forecast change due to their possession of strong financial modelling skills and high levels of commercial acumen. Given the high demand for this skillset and the challenges to find highly skilled Financial Analysts, their salaries are on average set to receive the biggest rise.

2. Business Advisory Services Assistant Manager

2017 min: $82,000

2017 max: $99,000

YoY growth: + 4.1%

As business advisory services assistant managers assist in providing advisory and compliance services to their organisation's clients, these professionals are in high demand in part due to the increase of regulation in the Australian financial services sector, and can expect salary gains in 2017.

3. Accounts Receivable Manager

2017 min: $63,000

2017 max: $89,000

YoY growth: + 3.7%

Effective management of accounts receivable is crucial if companies want to maintain strong cash flow and reduce debt for their organisation. Senior professionals who are adaptable to change, with a mix of strong communication and technical skills, can expect salary gains for the year ahead.

4. Management Accountant

2017 min: $77,000

2017 max: $103,000

YoY growth: + 3.4%

In today's market, management accountants are in high demand as employees seek to find new ways to make sure they hit their budgets. Management accountants who utilise big data to analyse key financial information, and provide their company with commercial insight to ensure future growth and profitability can expect salary gains in 2017.

5. Financial Planning & Analysis Manager

2017 min: $117,500

2017 max: $164,000

YoY growth: + 3.3%

As businesses are focused on initiatives aimed at business growth, employment for financial planning and analysis managers will continue to increase. Highly skilled financial planning and analysts managers with well-developed technical as well as communication skills are able to negotiate an above-average salary.

6. Tax Manager

2017 min: $110,000

2017 max: $156,000

YoY growth: + 3.2%

Government regulation is making tax policy more complicated, and Australian companies need efficient and highly skilled tax managers to comply with regulations and identify cost-saving measures. This is a crucial role for any organisation and the reason why these professionals can expect above average salary gains in 2017.

7. Accounting Manager/Director*

2017 min: $113,000

2017 max: $192,000

YoY growth: + 3.1%

As the finance function continues to evolve with digitisation and automation, accounting managers and directors who adapt their accounting departments efficiently will be in high demand.

Companies are willing to increase starting salaries for these professionals if they can successfully lead a team, improve performance and the company's bottom line.

*Average is calculated only across salary gains in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

8. Commercial Manager

2017 min: $120,000

2017 max: $185,000

YoY growth: + 3.1%

Australian companies are looking for more commercial and measurable outcomes to drive their bottom line, which is driving demand for adequately skilled commercial managers.

Salaries are set to grow for those that can add value to their organisation by using automation technology to streamline internal processes such as budgeting, forecasting, reporting and analysis of company results.

9. Accounts Receivable Clerk

2017 min: $52,000

2017 max: $66,000

YoY growth: + 3.0%

Under pressure to secure revenue for their organisation and maintain a sportive cash flow, accounts receivable clerks who are highly organised and possess a keen eye for detail can expect to see their salary grow steadily in 2017.

10. Business Advisory Services Manager/Audit Manager

2017 min: $94,000

2017 max: $136,000

YoY growth: + 3.0%

Professionals with extensive experience in risk management, compliance and internal auditing are highly sought-after as they maintain the crucial role of providing regulatory guidance to their organisation. As a role that will be in demand over the next 12 months, this is placing upward pressure on salaries.

THE TOP PAID IT JOBS:

1. Cyber-security Specialist

2017 min: $118,000

2017 max: $160,000

YoY growth: + 6.2%

The escalating cost and frequency of cyber-attacks has resulted in organisations increasingly relying on cyber-security experts, thereby allowing the enterprise to take a pre-emptive approach to discovering and tracking security issues. This has resulted in rising salary growth for top cyber-security specialists as companies vie for the best talent.

2. Senior Developer (Front-end Development)

2017 min: $117,000

2017 max: $149,000

YoY growth: + 5.1%

As companies are increasingly focused on customer-centric technology, software developers are in high demand, resulting in an increase in starting salaries for those who not only have a solid knowledge of producing HTML, CSS and JavaScript for a website or web application, but who can also demonstrate effective project management, analytical and leadership skills.

3. Developer (Front-end Development)

2017 min: $87,000

2017 max: $125,000

YoY growth: + 4.9%

Developers will be in hot demand as many companies move to a web-based platform, with the development and enhancement of company software continuing to drive demand as well as an increase in starting salaries for highly qualified and experienced development candidates across all senior ranks.

4. IT Security Specialist

2017 min: $121,000

2017 max: $161,000

YoY growth: + 4.8%

Because companies are confronted with additional security concerns, including mobile, application, and big data analytics security, several areas are experiencing higher demand for specialised skills, yet companies recognise they are competing for a limited pool of IT candidates, which is placing IT security specialists in a favourable position for higher salary gains.

The most sought-after candidates, who are able to negotiate above-market salary increases, are those who are familiar with new security software and hardware, have an understanding of emerging systems and are able to confidently use devices and related applications.

5. Senior Developer (Full-stack Development)

2017 min: $113,000

2017 max: $148,000

YoY growth: + 4.5%

Developing innovative and market-leading software tailored for companies is a highly specialised area, one that calls for IT professionals with a unique blend of specialist technical skills, creative thinking, and business acumen.

These professionals need to be comfortable working across both back-end and front-end technologies - making their area of specialisation highly desirable and placing upwards pressure on starting salaries.

6. Junior Developer (Back-end Development)

2017 min: $68,000

2017 max: $93,000

YoY growth: + 4.4%

As companies endeavour to make their websites more sophisticated and customer-focused, demand for junior developers who have well-developed programming skills, who are database-savvy, and who have a thorough knowledge of web services is high which will continue to have a positive effect on starting salaries for these IT professionals.

7. Business Intelligence Analyst

2017 min: $89,000

2017 max: $120,000

YoY growth: + 4.0%

Big data offers big potential. With companies realising the power of big data and the impact of using data to make informed, strategic decisions that benefit operations in all departments and impact a company's bottom line, business intelligence analysts are finding themselves in high demand. Experienced BI analysts with an excellent understanding of statistics, well-developed communication and analytical skills are in a good position to negotiate starting salary.

8. Junior Developer (Front-end Development)

2017 min: $71,000

2017 max: $95,000

YoY growth: +3.9%

Junior developers who specialise in front-end development will continue to be in demand as businesses increase their focus on customer interaction through an impressive company website - a sought-after area of specialisation that will see starting salaries increase.

9. Business Intelligence Manager

2017 min: $121,000

2017 max: $175,000

YoY growth: + 3.6%

Big Data is here to stay. Business intelligence managers, among many other duties, plan and design enterprise-level Business Intelligence (BI) solutions, which add significant value to a company's bottom line. With companies experiencing challenges to source highly skilled BI analysts, these professionals are able to negotiate a highly competitive starting salary.

10. Database Administrator

2017 min: $83,000

2017 max: $133,000

YoY growth: + 3.6%

In an increasingly data-driven market, professionals who can properly utilise big data are able to make informed and strategic decisions for their organisation. Because of this, database administrators will find themselves in increased demand - resulting in increased starting salaries for top database administrators who display the required skills and experience.

Source: 2017 Robert Half Salary Guide