Western Australia’s resources sector pays workers top dollar compared to other states and territories across a wide range of mining roles.
Hays Salary Guide FY25/26 reveals the state pays more for roles from graduate mining engineers to geological technicians and chief geologists.
A registered mine manager in Western Australia typically earns $300,000, while the typical salary for the same role in New South Wales is $270,000, in the Northern Territory it’s $260,000, and $205,000 in Victoria and Tasmania.
A chief geologist in metalliferous geology mining in Western Australia commands about $250,000, ahead of the Northern Territory ($220,000) and well ahead of other states where it ranges from $194,000 to $210,000.
Similarly, the typical salary for a geotechnical engineer in Western Australia is $190,000 (same as the NT), while in other states it ranges from $120,000 to $150,000.
Chief surveyors can earn $200,000 in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, whereas the salary tops $180,000 in other states except for New South Wales, which pays the least at $175,000.
Senior surveyors in Western Australia and the Northern Territory fetch around $190,000, while in other states it ranges from $150,000 to $170,000.
Excavator operators typically earn $30,000 more in Western Australia than other states and territories coming in at $175,000.
Based on a survey of over 12,000 respondents in Australia and New Zealand across more than 25 industries and 1,000 roles, the Salary Guide reveals ongoing tensions between employee expectations and employer offerings, making retention and recruitment ever more challenging.
The report finds 61%oof people are planning to change their career path, with most doing this due to a lack of future opportunities in their current role/workplace (45%) and low salary (42%).
The report also shows there is a great disparity in what is viewed as satisfactory pay. Minimal salary rises (2.5% or less) were found to deliver the same satisfaction as no raise at all. Increases up to 14% offer only marginal improvements, while moderate bumps (up to 14-20%) can backfire. The report finds that only transformational increases (20%+) have a significant impact on employee satisfaction.
Hays (LSE:HAS) is a global specialist in recruitment and workforce solutions.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Hays & QML
