Dump truck operator salary: what the data shows
If you are looking for a single, official figure for a dump truck operator salary in Australia, the short answer is that no precise median or average is published. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia do not release a specific wage for the occupation code 733111 (Truck Drivers (General)), which covers dump truck operators. The sample size in the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours is too small to produce a reliable estimate at the six-digit ANZSCO level.
What we do have is context. The broader occupation of truck drivers is well represented in the labour force, but the data is grouped at a higher level. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial truck drivers are not available. However, we know that 84% of truck drivers work full-time, and the average full-time hours are 50 hours per week – well above the standard 38-hour week. This means that actual weekly pay for dump truck operators is often boosted by overtime and penalty rates.
How dump truck operator pay compares to the national average
Even without a specific figure, we can place dump truck operator pay against the benchmarks used on this site. The national full-time adult ordinary-time average, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026, is $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52). This is the line on our salary index.
For comparison:
- The full-time median (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025) is about $1,741 per week, or $90,532 per year.
- The all-employees median is about $1,425 per week, or $74,100 per year.
- The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week.
Dump truck operators in mining and construction often earn above the all-employees median due to site allowances and shift work. Those on award rates may start closer to the minimum wage but can exceed the full-time median with experience and overtime. Without a published median, it is reasonable to estimate that typical dump truck operator pay falls somewhere between the all-employees median and the full-time average, depending on the industry and location.
A take-home pay sketch
Using the national full-time average as a reference, here is what a dump truck operator earning that amount would take home after tax. The 2026–27 resident tax rates are:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000 Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (before any reductions).
On $108,352 per year:
- Tax: $18,200 × 0% = $0; $26,800 × 15% = $4,020; $63,352 × 30% = $19,005.60; total tax = $23,025.60
- Medicare levy: $108,352 × 2% = $2,167.04
- After-tax income: $108,352 – $23,025.60 – $2,167.04 = $83,159.36 per year, or about $1,599 per week.
If a dump truck operator earns closer to the all-employees median of $74,100 per year:
- Tax: $18,200 × 0% = $0; $26,800 × 15% = $4,020; $29,100 × 30% = $8,730; total tax = $12,750
- Medicare levy: $74,100 × 2% = $1,482
- After-tax income: $74,100 – $12,750 – $1,482 = $59,868 per year, or about $1,151 per week.
These sketches assume no other deductions or offsets. Actual take-home pay will vary with hours worked, allowances, and individual circumstances.
Award coverage and minimum rates
Most dump truck operators are covered by the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 or a site-specific enterprise agreement. The award contains minimum hourly rates for different vehicle classes and experience levels. From 1 July 2026, award minimums increased by 4.75%, following the Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review. The national minimum wage itself rose to $26.44 per hour.
Award rates for dump truck operators are typically higher than the national minimum wage, but the exact figure depends on the classification. For example, a driver of a heavy combination vehicle may have a higher minimum rate than a driver of a rigid truck. Without a specific classification from the award, we cannot give a precise dollar figure. However, it is safe to say that award rates for dump truck operators are above $26.44 per hour and often include loadings for shift work, overtime, and remote site work.
State comparisons
Dump truck operator pay also varies by state, reflecting differences in industry mix and cost of living. The full-time average weekly ordinary time earnings for each state (from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026) are:
- New South Wales: $2,108.80 per week ($109,658 per year)
- Victoria: $2,041.10 ($106,137)
- Queensland: $2,039.70 ($106,064)
- South Australia: $1,970.20 ($102,450)
- Western Australia: $2,227.40 ($115,825)
- Tasmania: $1,846.30 ($96,008)
- Northern Territory: $1,984.10 ($103,173)
- Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20 ($119,090)
Western Australia and Queensland, with large mining sectors, often pay above the national average for dump truck operators. Operators in those states may earn significantly more than the state average for all occupations, especially if working fly-in fly-out rosters.
Where to next?
If you have a specific salary offer or current pay, you can place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average. For a broader view of how different jobs stack up, visit our job medians page. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings is published twice a year, in May and November, so the figures on this site are updated accordingly.
Remember that the figures discussed here are averages and medians. Your actual pay as a dump truck operator will depend on your employer, location, experience, and the specific terms of your award or agreement.