Mining Industry Wages Overview 2024-2025

The Australian mining sector offers some of the most competitive salaries in the job market, with high demand for skilled professionals across a variety of roles. 

The Hays FY24/25 Salary Guide outlines typical roster patterns for trades roles in the mining industry. For Western Australia (WA), South Australia (SA), and Northern Territory (NT), trades salaries are based on 8/6 and 2/1 rosters, excluding superannuation and additional benefits. For other states, such as Queensland (QLD) and New South Wales (NSW), the salaries are generally based on residential positions  

Mine Management and Technical Services

Registered Mine Manager: WA $280K–$310K; QLD Hard Rock $200K–$270K, Coal $250K–$285K; NSW $250K–$285K.

Underground/Quarry Manager: WA $250K–$280K, QLD Hard Rock $240K–$260K.

Technical Services Manager: WA $230K–$260K, NSW $185K–$220K.

Geologist Roles

Chief Geologist: WA $220K–$260K; QLD $180K–$240K; NSW $180K–$235K.

Senior Mine Geologist: WA $170K–$190K; QLD $150K–$190K.

Mine Geologist: WA $130K–$150K; QLD $110K–$130K; NSW $120K–$135K.

Engineering Roles

Senior Mining Engineer: WA $165K–$210K; QLD Hard Rock $160K–$200K; NSW $170K–$190K.

Geotechnical Engineer: WA $150K–$200K, QLD Hard Rock $140K–$200K.

Mechanical Engineer: Mid-level roles range from WA $140K–$180K to QLD $129K–$158K.

Electrical Engineer: WA $150K–$175K, QLD $135K–$165K, NSW $130K–$160K.

Surveying Positions

Chief Surveyor: WA $200K–$220K; QLD Hard Rock $180K–$210K; NSW $170K–$200K.

Mine Surveyor: WA $140K–$170K, QLD $122K–$143K, NSW $140K–$170K.

Mobile Plant Operators

Dump Truck Operator: WA $125K–$140K, QLD $100K–$125K, NSW $100K–$140K.

Excavator Operator: WA $130K–$160K, QLD $120K–$140K, NSW $110K–$130K.

Loader Operator: WA $130K–$150K, QLD $110K–$130K, NSW $100K–$125K.

Grader Operator: WA $135K–$155K, QLD $120K–$140K, NSW $115K–$130K.

Dozer Operator: WA $140K–$160K, QLD $125K–$145K, NSW $120K–$140K.

Water Cart Operator: WA $115K–$130K, QLD $105K–$125K, NSW $100K–$120K.

Crane Operator: WA $145K–$165K, QLD $130K–$150K, NSW $125K–$145K.

Camp Support Roles

Chef: WA $90K–$110K; QLD $75K–$95K; NSW $70K–$90K.

Cleaner: WA $65K–$80K; QLD $55K–$70K; NSW $50K–$65K.

Housekeeper: WA $65K–$80K; QLD $55K–$70K; NSW $50K–$65K.

Drilling and Underground Roles

Driller: WA $150K–$175K, QLD $105K–$170K, NSW $120K–$155K.

Jumbo Operator: WA $250K–$330K, QLD $143K–$184K, NSW $122K–$143K.

Bogger Operator: WA $150K–$200K, QLD $112K–$133K, NSW $112K–$138K.

Longhole Driller: WA $160K–$190K, QLD $130K–$160K, NSW $125K–$150K.

Maintenance and Trades

Electrician: WA $150K–$170K, QLD $125K–$155K, NSW $100K–$120K.

HD Fitter: WA $200K–$250K, QLD $150K–$200K, NSW $140K–$168K.

Boilermaker/Welder: WA $150K–$180K, QLD $120K–$150K, NSW $120K–$150K.

Auto Electrician: WA $210K–$250K, QLD $160K–$200K, NSW $138K–$168K.

Mechanical Fitter: WA $140K–$170K, QLD $125K–$150K, NSW $120K–$140K.

Tyre Fitter: WA $110K–$130K, QLD $90K–$110K, NSW $85K–$100K.

Instrumentation Technician: WA $140K–$160K, QLD $120K–$140K, NSW $115K–$135K.

Plumber: WA $120K–$140K, QLD $110K–$130K, NSW $100K–$120K.

HVAC Technician: WA $130K–$150K, QLD $120K–$140K, NSW $110K–$130K.

Environmental and Safety

HSE Manager: WA $185K–$235K, QLD $180K–$235K, NSW $160K–$200K.

Environmental Superintendent: WA $145K–$175K, QLD $153K–$184K, NSW $145K–$165K.

Processing and Metallurgy

Process Manager: WA $190K–$255K, QLD $204K–$245K.

Metallurgist: WA $140K–$165K, QLD $130K–$160K.

Western Australia generally offers the highest salaries across these roles, driven by remote operations and the need to attract skilled talent. Rosters like 8/6 and 2/1 are common, particularly for FIFO (fly-in-fly-out) roles. Queensland and New South Wales also provide competitive salaries, often using residential or DIDO (drive-in-drive-out) options for certain roles. Download the Hays FY24/25 Salary Guide.

Whether you’re new to mining or a seasoned pro, this snapshot of wages gives you a clear picture of the industry’s earning potential in 2024-2025.

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