Ballarat wage earners make an average total income of $41,868 annually, just behind Geelong’s $43,958.

Warrnambool is third with $40,346, followed by Bendigo on $39,877, Shepparton on $37,627, Mildura on $35,650, Ararat on $35,078 and Central Goldfields on $30,895.

However, regional Victoria’s average wage of $38,995 compares poorly to Melbourne’s $50,413.

The ABS Estimates of Personal Incomes for Local Government Areas statistics also show the highest earning LGA in Victoria is Stonnington in Melbourne, with $85,859 while the lowest is Yarriambiack with $31,178.

Financial planner Andrew Rowan said the results were pleasing from a Ballarat point of view.

“Ballarat is reasonably close to Melbourne, so there’s easy access for people to work on higher paid jobs in the city. There’s also been a demographic shift away from lower-skilled jobs available in Ballarat compared to 30 odd years ago,” Mr Rowan said.

Another report, Estimates of Personal Income for Small Areas 2009-2010, shows Buninyong is Ballarat’s highest wage earning area on $45,539, followed by Ballarat North on $43,918, Alfredton on $43,672, Ballarat central on $43,323, Ballarat South on $40,968, Wendouree and Miners Rest on $38,227, Smythes Creek on $36,384 and Delacombe on $36,101.