Boilermaker salary in Australia
Boilermakers are skilled tradespeople who fabricate, assemble, and repair metal structures and equipment. Their pay depends on experience, location, and the industry they work in. This guide uses the latest official data from the ABS and Fair Work to show where a boilermaker’s salary sits against the national full-time average, and what you might take home after tax.
The national benchmark: full-time average earnings
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 puts the national full-time adult ordinary-time average at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52 weeks). This is the line used on this site. Men’s full-time average is higher at $2,181.00 per week ($113,412), while women’s is $1,934.50 ($100,594).
For comparison, the full-time median (from ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025) is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week.
Where does a boilermaker fit?
The ABS does not publish a separate earnings figure for boilermakers. However, boilermakers typically work in manufacturing or construction. The ABS industry averages for May 2026 give a useful guide:
- Manufacturing: full-time ordinary-time average $1,843.10 per week ($95,841 a year)
- Construction: full-time ordinary-time average $1,985.30 per week ($103,236 a year)
These are averages across all roles in those industries, not just boilermakers. A boilermaker with experience or in a supervisory role may earn more, while apprentices or those on award minimums earn less.
Award minimum rates for boilermakers
Boilermakers are often covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award (MA000020). The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database shows the minimum rates that apply from the first full pay period on or after 24 February 2026. For a tradesperson classification (Level 3, such as painter or glazier), the hourly rate is $29.72, which gives a weekly pay of $1,129.18 for a 38-hour week, or about $58,717 a year. Higher classifications (Level 4 or 5) would attract higher rates, but the published pay guide does not list them explicitly for boilermakers.
A boilermaker on award minimums would earn below the national full-time average. However, many boilermakers receive above-award rates, especially in mining or heavy engineering, where earnings can exceed the industry averages.
Take-home pay: a resident tax sketch
Using the 2026–27 tax rates (resident, no Medicare levy exemption):
- Tax-free threshold: $0–$18,200
- 15% on income $18,201–$45,000
- 30% on income $45,001–$135,000
- 37% on income $135,001–$190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
- Plus Medicare levy of 2% of taxable income
If a boilermaker earned the construction industry average of $103,236:
- Tax: $5,092 (on first $45k) + $17,471 (on $45k–$103,236) = $22,563
- Medicare levy: $2,065
- Total deductions: $24,628
- Take-home: $78,608 per year (about $1,512 per week)
If a boilermaker earned the manufacturing average of $95,841:
- Tax: $5,092 + $15,252 = $20,344
- Medicare levy: $1,917
- Total: $22,261
- Take-home: $73,580 per year (about $1,415 per week)
For a boilermaker on the award minimum of $58,717:
- Tax: $5,092 + $4,115 = $9,207
- Medicare levy: $1,174
- Total: $10,381
- Take-home: $48,336 per year (about $930 per week)
These are rough estimates. Use the Place a salary on the line tool to see your own figures.
State differences
The full-time average varies by state. A boilermaker in Western Australia, where mining drives higher pay, might earn above the national average. The ABS state averages for May 2026:
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
See the States and territories page for more detail.
Medians vs averages
The full-time median of $90,532 is lower than the average because high earners pull the average up. For boilermakers, the median might be closer to the manufacturing average. The all-employees median of $74,100 includes part-time and casual workers. For more on medians by occupation, visit Job medians.
Summary
A boilermaker’s salary in Australia can range from about $58,000 (award minimum) to over $100,000 (experienced, in mining or construction). The national full-time average of $108,352 is a useful benchmark, but many boilermakers earn close to or above it depending on their industry and location. For a personalised calculation, use the Guides or How the figures are set pages.