The data released by the ABS earlier this month has revealed the average Ballarat employee earns about $400 less than the average Victorian.

The statewide median income is $24,228, meaning that out of all those earning an income listed from lowest to highest, this figure is the middle point.

Ballarat’s figure is $23,838. 

This data draws on all working Victorians, from high-paid management like chief executive officers at the top of companies, to teenagers working two shifts a week at fast food restaurants.

The region’s median income has continuously risen over the past five years. The latest data is 14.3 per cent higher than 2011-12 figure.

Average income for women has also had a jump, rising 16 per cent over the past five years, and seven-and-a-half per cent in the past 12 months. 

The male median income saw a slight drop from the previous year, but displayed a 13 per cent increase over the five-year data set.

Within Ballarat, those living in Alfredton sit at the top the list of the highest earners, earning a median $26,521 a year, closely followed by Smythes Creek, Buninyong, and Bacchus Marsh.

The lowest earning income area in the region came from Avoca, with residents bringing in a median $13,279 annually, 52 per cent lower than the regional average.

The biggest income boosts in the past five years have been Maryborough, Golden Plains, and Wendouree-Miners Rest, which had increases of 21 per cent, 17 per cent, and 15 per cent respectively. 

The numbers of working residents was also released, with Ballarat North sporting the highest numbers, slightly edging out Ballarat South.

Avoca sat at the bottom of this list as well.

The total number of employees in Ballarat has dropped, with the number of male workers has dropped by six per cent in the last five years, while the number of female workers has remained steady.

When looking at the breakdown of how many male and female workers each suburb has, the region’s metropolitan areas featured higher numbers of female workers, with more rural areas having a higher number of male workers.

While Ballarat’s median income sits below the statewide average, it is not as low of other comparable regional areas. 

Bendigo and Geelong’s median incomes both sit below Ballarat’s showing figures of $21,172 and $23,397 respectively.

However, Bendigo and Geelong both sport greater numbers of employees than Ballarat.

Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.