Most in-demand jobs for 2024: LinkedIn

Cyber security analysts are more in demand than any other job in Australia this year as businesses look to fight back against a rapidly growing number of attacks.

LinkedIn says that the number of job ads for cyber security analysts has soared 57 per cent in the past year on the employment-focused social media platform, beating out crime analyst and workplace specialist as the most in-demand jobs.

The need for specialist roles comes as LinkedIn says rapidly increasing living expenses driven by inflation and interest rates combined with the desire for a better work-life balance could see 76 per cent of professionals look to change jobs in 2024, up 15 per cent from a year ago.

The need for higher wages was the reason give by 49 per cent of those surveyed and comes as the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed wages rose only 4 per cent in the year to September – less than the rate at which inflation grew.

Adding to the need for a better paying job are higher mortgage repayments, which have climbed $1210 per month on a $500,000 loan since the start of the Reserve Bank’s record run of rate rises in May 2022.

LinkedIn Australia managing director Matt Tindale said many workers were looking for financial security by switching to a higher paying role in 2024.

“The motivation for a new job is salary and then work-life balance,” he said. “Cost of living and increased pressure from interest rates lifting mortgage costs appears to be the main driver.”

Cyber attacks have increased on Australian businesses in the past year.