Marine technician salary: where the pay sits on the Australian salary index

What is a marine technician?

A marine technician – also called a marine mechanic – maintains, tests and repairs inboard and outboard motors, small diesel engines, jet propulsion systems, fuel systems and electrical starting and charging systems on boats and other vessels. The Australian Bureau of Statistics classifies the role as Occupation 351435 under the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA). Registration or licensing may be required.

Why the marine technician salary is hard to pin down

Unlike occupations such as registered nurses or truck drivers, the marine technician salary does not appear in the main official earnings surveys. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for this occupation. Jobs and Skills Australia reports a median of $2,218 per week for Marine Transport Professionals – a group that includes ship’s masters, marine engineers and surveyors – but that is a different line of work.

So where does a marine technician sit on the Salary Index? The index compares annual gross pay to the national benchmark of 100, which equals $108,352 (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, May 2026). Without a published figure, we have to work from award rates and industry knowledge.

Award coverage and minimum rates

Most marine technicians are employees covered by a modern award. The exact award depends on the employer’s industry and the type of work. Common possibilities include:

• Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award – for technicians working in a boat-building or repair workshop.
• Marine Tourism and Charter Vessels Award – for technicians who work on vessels carrying passengers.
• Seagoing Industry Award – for technicians who work as crew on ships.

From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, giving an index of 48.2. The entry-level adult award floor is $25.74 per hour. Junior rates are lower: an 18-year-old marine technician would be paid at least $18.06 per hour under the national minimum wage order, though the applicable award may set a different junior rate.

Award rates rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026. You can find the exact classification rates in the Fair Work Commission’s pay guides or the Modern Awards Pay Database.

What experienced marine technicians might earn

Because no official median exists, any figure is an estimate. Anecdotally, experienced marine technicians in private industry often earn between $30 and $45 per hour. At $35 per hour full-time (38 hours per week, 52 weeks), annual pay would be about $69,160, giving an index of roughly 64. That is above the national minimum wage but below the all-occupations median of $1,697 per week (index about 81).

Location also matters. The states page shows that Western Australia has an index of 106.9, while Tasmania sits at 88.6. A marine technician in a busy WA port might command higher pay than one in a smaller Tasmanian town.

How the salary index works for marine technicians

The index is simply annual gross pay divided by $108,352, multiplied by 100. For example:

• National minimum wage: $26.44/hr × 38 hrs × 52 weeks = $52,255 → index 48.2
• Hypothetical $35/hr: $69,160 → index 63.8
• Hypothetical $45/hr: $88,920 → index 82.1

These are gross figures before tax. For a resident using the tax-free threshold, take-home pay would be reduced by income tax (2026–27 rates: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000) plus a 2% Medicare levy. Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, on top of the gross salary.

Where to find more information

If you are a marine technician or an employer, the best source for minimum pay is the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website. Use the ‘Find my award’ tool to identify the correct award and classification. For industry benchmarks, check job advertisements or industry associations. The industries page shows that the Transport, Postal and Warehousing sector has an index of 97.8, but that covers many roles beyond marine technicians.

The bottom line

The marine technician salary is not tracked in official surveys, so you cannot look up a single index number. What you can do is compare any offered wage to the national line. A rate above $26.44 per hour is above the minimum; a rate above $35 per hour is likely competitive. Use the Salary Index to see where any pay offer sits relative to the rest of Australia.