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.
Regional Trends and Roster Patterns
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.