High voltage electrician salary: award rates, state differences and industry benchmarks

What is a high voltage electrician salary?

A high voltage electrician works on electrical systems operating at voltages above 1,000 volts AC or 1,500 volts DC – typically in power generation, transmission, distribution, mining, and large industrial sites. In Australia, this work is covered by the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 (the Electrical Award), which sets minimum pay rates for classifications from Electrical worker grade 1 to grade 10. The award does not have a specific "high voltage electrician" classification, but the higher grades (8, 9, and 10) correspond to the skills and responsibilities required for high voltage work.

To understand where a high voltage electrician salary sits against the national line, we use the Salary Index – a benchmark where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The national minimum wage sits at index 48.2. A high voltage electrician on award minimums is already above that, and many earn well above the national line.

Award minimum rates for high voltage electricians

The Electrical Award (available from Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides) lists minimum weekly and hourly rates for each grade. For a high voltage electrician, the relevant grades are typically:

• Grade 8: $33.77 per hour, $1,283.10 per week, annualised $66,721 (index 61.6)
• Grade 9: $34.46 per hour, $1,309.50 per week, annualised $68,094 (index 62.9)
• Grade 10: $37.24 per hour, $1,415.00 per week, annualised $73,580 (index 67.9)

These are base rates. The award also includes an industry allowance and, for those who hold and may use an unrestricted electrician's licence, an all-purpose licence allowance of $40.29 per week. A leading hand allowance, tool allowance, and other site-specific allowances can add more. The all-purpose rate is the sum of the base rate, industry allowance, and applicable allowances – this is the rate used for overtime and penalty calculations.

But award minimums are just the floor. Many high voltage electricians are covered by enterprise agreements that pay significantly more, especially in the resources sector.

State differences in high voltage electrician pay

State indexes from the ABS show how average earnings vary across Australia. While these are broad averages, they give a sense of where pay tends to be higher or lower:

• Western Australia (index 106.9) – strong mining and resources sector drives up wages for high voltage electricians.
• Queensland (index 97.9) – significant mining and energy jobs, but average earnings slightly below the national line.
• New South Wales (index 101.2) – large industrial base, but not as resource-heavy as WA.
• Victoria (index 98.0) – more manufacturing and services, less high voltage infrastructure.
• South Australia (index 94.6) – smaller resources sector.
• Tasmania (index 88.6) – lowest average earnings, fewer high voltage roles.
• Northern Territory (index 95.2) – remote mining and energy jobs often pay premium site allowances.
• Australian Capital Territory (index 109.9) – high public sector wages, but limited high voltage electrician roles.

For a high voltage electrician, the state effect is amplified by industry. A worker in a WA iron ore mine will earn far more than one doing the same work for a local council in Tasmania. The states page on Salary Index breaks down average earnings by state.

Industry differences: where high voltage electricians earn the most

The industry index is even more telling. The mining industry index is 154.7 – meaning average full-time earnings in mining are about 55% above the national line. For a high voltage electrician in mining, that could translate to $150,000–$180,000 or more per year. The industries page shows indexes for all major sectors.

Other industries where high voltage electricians work include:

• Electricity, gas, water and waste services – not separately indexed here, but likely above the national line.
• Manufacturing – index around 90–100 depending on subsector.
• Construction – index around 110–120 for heavy industrial work.
• Professional, scientific and technical services (index 114.7) – includes some high voltage testing and consultancy.

A high voltage electrician in the mining industry in Western Australia could be earning at an index of 150 or higher – well above the national average.

How the Salary Index works for high voltage electricians

The Salary Index compares gross yearly ordinary-time earnings to the national line of $108,352. For example, a high voltage electrician earning $150,000 has an index of 138.5 (150,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100). That means they earn about 38.5% above the average full-time worker. The how the index works page explains the calculation in detail.

It's important to note that the index uses ordinary-time earnings, not total remuneration including overtime, bonuses, or super. A high voltage electrician working significant overtime could have a much higher total package, but the index focuses on base pay for a fair comparison.

Beyond the award: enterprise agreements and over-award payments

Many high voltage electricians are not paid at the award minimum. Enterprise agreements in mining, energy, and construction often set higher rates. For example, a site agreement might pay $50–$60 per hour for a high voltage electrician, plus allowances for remote work, living away from home, and travel. These agreements are negotiated between employers and unions, and they vary widely.

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award, but these only show minimums. To get a true picture of a high voltage electrician salary, you need to look at actual job advertisements, industry surveys, or union-negotiated rates.

Tax and super considerations

From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So a high voltage electrician earning $150,000 receives an additional $18,000 in super. This is not included in the salary index figures.

For tax, using 2026–27 resident rates with the tax-free threshold and 2% Medicare levy, a high voltage electrician earning $150,000 would take home approximately $106,000 after tax and Medicare. This is a rough estimate – it ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge.

Summary

A high voltage electrician salary in Australia starts at around $73,580 per year on award minimums (index 67.9) but can easily exceed $150,000 in mining and resources, especially in Western Australia. The state and industry differences are large, and enterprise agreements often push pay well above award rates. To see how your salary compares, use the Salary Index tools.