Fitter and turner salary: where the pay sits on the Australian salary index
Fitter and turner salary is not publicly reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The only public minimum from the Manufacturing Award is $21.38 per hour, but a trade quali
The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for fitter and turners, so a precise salary index figure is not available.
What is a fitter and turner salary?
A fitter and turner is a trade-qualified metal worker who fits, assembles, grinds and shapes metal parts to fabricate machines and equipment. The occupation is classified under ANZSCO 323212 and is part of Metal Fitters and Machinists. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, there are about 9,000 fitter and turners employed nationally, with 92% working full-time and a median age of 40. The female share is only 1%.
Where does the fitter and turner salary sit on the Australian salary index?
The salary index compares a yearly gross figure to the national line of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. The index is 100 for the national average of $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). For a fitter and turner, the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a median weekly earnings figure. The data is suppressed because the relative standard error is too high. This means there is no official benchmark to place on the index.
The only public minimum is from the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award. The Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide shows a general adult rate of $21.38 per hour, which works out to $812.60 per week or about $42,255 per year. That annualised figure sits at index 39, well below the national line. However, this is the minimum for general manufacturing, not specifically for a trade-qualified fitter and turner.
A fitter and turner typically holds a Certificate III or IV (76.4% of workers) and is likely to be classified at a higher level within the award. The award also lists supervisor/trainer levels at $25.82 per hour or more. Many fitter and turners work in industries like manufacturing, mining, and other services. In mining, the industry index is 154.7, meaning average earnings are about 55% above the national line. A fitter and turner in Western Australia (state index 106.9) or in mining could earn significantly more than the award minimum.
How the salary index works for this occupation
The Salary Index calculates a figure by dividing a yearly gross salary by the national line ($108,352) and multiplying by 100. For example, if a fitter and turner earns $90,000 per year, the index would be 83. If they earn $130,000, the index would be 120. Without a published median, you can use the index to compare any known salary to the national average.
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, annualised $52,255, index 48.2. The entry-level award floor is $25.74 per hour, index 47.5. A fitter and turner paid at the award minimum for general manufacturing would be below the national minimum wage, which suggests that actual rates for trade-qualified workers are higher.
What the research shows
Jobs and Skills Australia provides an occupation profile for fitter and turners but notes that median weekly earnings are not available. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database contains the Manufacturing Award classifications, but the specific rate for a fitter and turner is not listed in the public pay guide. The Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide for the Manufacturing Award shows only a general adult rate.
For a more accurate picture, you would need to consult the full award or an employer agreement. The pay guides on this site explain how to read award classifications. The industries page shows how different sectors affect pay. For example, a fitter and turner in mining could earn an index of 154.7 or more, while one in retail trade would be lower.
State and industry differences
State indexes vary: Western Australia (106.9), New South Wales (101.2), Victoria (98), Queensland (97.9), South Australia (94.6), Tasmania (88.6). A fitter and turner in WA would likely have a higher index above the national average, but without a state-specific median, it is not possible to say exactly.
Industry indexes: Mining 154.7, Professional services 114.7, Education 105.5, Health care 97.8, Retail 75.9. Fitter and turners are most common in manufacturing, other services, and mining. The mining index suggests that workers in that industry earn about 55% more than the national average.
Tax and super considerations
If a fitter and turner earns $90,000 per year, the 2026–27 tax (excluding Medicare) would be about $20,267, plus 2% Medicare levy, leaving about $68,000 after tax. Super guarantee is 12% on earnings up to $270,830, so an employer would contribute $10,800 on top of the $90,000 salary. The topics page covers tax and super in more detail.
Conclusion
The fitter and turner salary is not publicly reported by the ABS, so a precise index figure is uncertain. The award minimum is low, but trade-qualified workers in good industries and states can earn well above the national line. To estimate your own index, divide your yearly gross by $108,352 and multiply by 100.
Questions people ask
What is the average fitter and turner salary in Australia?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for fitter and turners because the data has a relative standard error of 25% or higher. The only public minimum is from the Manufacturing Award, which sets a general adult rate of $21.38 per hour, but a trade-qualified fitter and turner is likely paid at a higher classification within the award or above award.
How does the fitter and turner salary compare to the national average?
Without a published median, a direct comparison is not possible. The national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings index is 100 ($108,352 per year). The Manufacturing Award minimum of $21.38 per hour annualises to about $44,000, which is index 39. However, a fitter and turner with a trade certificate typically earns more, especially in mining (industry index 154.7) or Western Australia (state index 106.9).
What award covers fitter and turners and what are the minimum pay rates?
Fitter and turners are covered by the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award. The pay guide from the Fair Work Ombudsman shows a minimum hourly rate of $21.38 for adult general manufacturing full-time and part-time. However, the award has higher classifications for trade-qualified workers, and supervisors can earn $25.82 per hour or more. Actual rates depend on the specific classification and duties.