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Mining engineer salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index
See how the mining engineer salary compares to the national line. Median weekly earnings of $3,518 give an index of 169, well above the mining industry average.
Based on ABS data, the median mining engineer salary of $3,518 per week translates to a salary index of about 169, well above the national line of 100 and the mining industry index of 154.7.
What is a mining engineer salary?
A mining engineer salary refers to the typical pay for professionals who plan and direct the engineering aspects of extracting minerals, petroleum, and natural gas. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the median full-time weekly earnings for a mining engineer is $3,518. That annualises to $182,936 before tax.
On the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 a year, a mining engineer’s salary sits at about 169. This is significantly above the national line and also above the mining industry average index of 154.7. It reflects the high demand and specialised skills required in the sector.
How the salary index works
The index is simple: your yearly gross pay divided by the national line ($108,352) times 100. For a mining engineer on the median:
$182,936 ÷ $108,352 × 100 ≈ 169.
This means the typical mining engineer earns about 69% more than the average full-time worker. You can read more about how the index works.
Where the pay comes from
Mining engineers work mainly in the mining industry (over 90% of employment), with smaller numbers in professional services and wholesale trade. The median age is 40, and only 15% are women. Full-time hours average 50 per week, which is higher than the all-occupations average of 44 hours.
Award coverage
Most mining engineers are covered by the Mining Industry Award or the Black Coal Mining Industry Award. These set minimum pay rates, allowances, and penalty rates. However, the median earnings are well above award minimums. For example, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, while mining engineers earn a median of $79 per hour.
State and industry context
Mining engineers are concentrated in Western Australia, which has the highest state index at 106.9 (annualised $115,825). The mining industry itself has an index of 154.7, but mining engineers outpace that. For comparison, the industries page shows retail trade at 75.9 and accommodation and food services at 72.5.
Tax and super
On a salary of $182,936, using 2026–27 resident tax rates (no Medicare surcharge), the estimated tax is roughly $52,000 plus 2% Medicare levy ($3,659). That leaves a take-home of about $127,000 a year, or $2,442 per week. Superannuation at 12% is on top, but the salary index uses gross ordinary-time earnings only.
What affects a mining engineer salary?
Experience, location, and the type of mine (e.g., coal, gold, iron ore) all matter. Entry-level engineers earn less than the median, while senior engineers or those in remote sites can earn much more. The ABS data is for full-time non-managerial employees, so it excludes managers and part-timers.
Using pay guides
If you want to check minimum rates for a specific classification under the Mining Industry Award, the pay guides from Fair Work Ombudsman are the best source. They include hourly rates, allowances and penalty rates. Remember that enterprise agreements often pay more than the award.
Summary
A mining engineer salary of $3,518 per week puts it at the top end of Australian earnings. The index of 169 shows how far above the national line it sits. For anyone considering this career, the pay reflects the technical demands, long hours, and often remote locations. Check the states page for regional differences and the topics page for more on how awards and super affect take-home pay.
Questions people ask
What is the average mining engineer salary in Australia?
The median weekly earnings for a mining engineer is $3,518, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025). That works out to $182,936 a year before tax. This is well above the national median of $1,852 per week (index 100) and the mining industry index of 154.7.
How does a mining engineer salary compare to other professions on the salary index?
The national line is 100, based on full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 a year. A mining engineer's index of about 169 means it is roughly 69% above that line. For context, a retail worker sits at 75.9, and a professional in scientific and technical services is at 114.7. Mining engineers are among the highest-paid professional roles.
What award covers mining engineers and what are the minimum rates?
Most mining engineers are covered by the Mining Industry Award [MA000011] or the Black Coal Mining Industry Award [MA000001]. Minimum rates under these awards are much lower than the median – for example, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour. However, mining engineers typically earn well above award minimums due to experience, location, and enterprise agreements.