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Mining engineering salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index
See how mining engineering salary compares to the national line. Median weekly earnings of $3,518 give an index of 169, far above the all-industries average.
Mining engineering salary sits well above the national line, with a median weekly earnings index of approximately 169.
What does "mining engineering salary" mean?
When we talk about mining engineering salary, we refer to the earnings of professionals who plan and direct the engineering aspects of extracting minerals, petroleum and natural gas. This includes both Mining Engineers (excluding Petroleum) and Petroleum Engineers, classified under ANZSCO 2336. The term is used in job advertisements, salary surveys, and government data to describe the typical pay for these roles.
Where mining engineering salary sits on the Australian salary index
The Australian salary index sets the national line at 100, which corresponds to full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week (annualised $108,352) as of May 2026. To see where mining engineering salary lands, we look at the most authoritative public data: Jobs and Skills Australia reports median weekly earnings for Mining Engineers (full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate) of $3,518. That gives an index of approximately 169 – meaning mining engineers earn about 69% more than the national benchmark.
To put that in context, the mining industry overall has an index of 154.7, so mining engineers earn above the industry average. Compare that to retail trade (index 75.9) or accommodation and food services (72.5). Even professional, scientific and technical services – which includes many engineering roles – sits at 114.7. Mining engineering salary clearly sits in the top tier of Australian occupations.
How award rates compare
The Mining Industry Award (MA000011) from the Fair Work Ombudsman sets minimum pay for employees in the mining sector. For example, an entry-level surface mining employee gets $27.53 per hour ($1,046.31 per week) from July 2026. At the top of the award classifications, an underground mine employee at Level 5 (advanced specialist) earns $34.56 per hour ($1,313.21 per week). These are minimums – most professional mining engineers are covered by enterprise agreements that pay far more. The median mining engineering salary of $3,518 per week is more than double the highest award rate, reflecting the specialised skills and responsibility involved.
Factors that affect mining engineering salary
Location plays a big role. Western Australia, where many mining operations are based, has a state salary index of 106.9 (annualised $115,825). That’s above the national line, and mining engineers in WA often earn premiums for remote or fly-in-fly-out work. Experience also matters: the median age of mining engineers is 40, suggesting a mature workforce. Entry-level graduates might start on salaries closer to the award or enterprise agreement rates, while senior engineers with 10+ years can earn well above the median.
Gender pay differences exist: the female share of mining engineers is only 15%, and the national index shows women’s full-time earnings ($1,934.50/week) are lower than men’s ($2,181/week). However, the mining engineering median figure is for all full-time non-managerial employees, so it already reflects the predominantly male workforce.
Tax and super on mining engineering salary
Superannuation guarantee is 12% from July 2026, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a mining engineer earning the median $182,936 annualised, the employer contributes about $21,952 in super. Income tax for 2026–27 (resident, with tax-free threshold) is nil up to $18,200, then 15% on the next $26,800, 30% on $90,000, and 37% on the portion between $135,000 and $190,000. The median salary falls in the 37% bracket. After tax and the 2% Medicare levy, take-home pay is roughly $125,000–$130,000 depending on deductions. These are estimates – individual circumstances vary.
Understanding the salary index
The salary index is a simple tool: divide your yearly gross earnings by the national line ($108,352) and multiply by 100. For mining engineering salary, $182,936 ÷ $108,352 × 100 ≈ 169. That tells you where you sit relative to the average full-time worker. You can use how the index works to calculate your own. The index is a benchmark, not a quote for a specific job or award classification.
For more on award rates, see our pay guides. To compare across states, visit states. And for industry benchmarks, check industries.
Questions people ask
What is the average mining engineering salary in Australia?
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial mining engineers (including petroleum engineers) is $3,518 per week as of May 2025. This annualises to about $182,936 before tax. Most mining engineers work 50 hours per week, with 93% working full time. The figure is a median, not an average, so actual pay can be higher for experienced engineers.
How does mining engineering salary compare to other engineering fields?
The salary index for mining engineering is well above the national line at about 169, far above the mining industry overall index of 154.7. Compared to professional, scientific and technical services (index 114.7), mining engineering pays significantly higher. However, precise comparisons by engineering subfield are not available from public data.
What award covers mining engineers?
The Mining Industry Award (MA000011) sets minimum rates for mining industry employees, including surface mining, underground, and processing roles. Professional mining engineers are often covered by enterprise agreements that pay above award. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for the award, with hourly rates from $27.53 to $34.56 as of July 2026.