Jumbo Operator Salary: Above the National Line
A jumbo operator runs a large underground drilling rig used in hard-rock mining. It is a skilled, physically demanding job that often involves remote rosters and long shifts. Because the work is tied to the mining industry – the highest-paying sector in Australia – jumbo operator pay sits well above the national full-time average.
What the Data Shows
The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a separate earnings figure for jumbo operators. The closest industry-level figure is the mining industry average weekly total earnings for all employees: $3,224.20 per week, or about $167,658 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). That is 55% above the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year).
Job-ad data from SEEK indicates a typical jumbo operator salary range of $130,000 to $160,000 per year. That range sits between the national full-time average and the mining industry average, which makes sense because jumbo operators are a subset of mining workers and may have less seniority than some other roles.
How the National Line Is Drawn
The national line on this site is the full-time adult ordinary-time average from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, May 2026: $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year when multiplied by 52 weeks. This is an average of all full-time adult employees across all industries and states. It is not a median – the full-time median from the ABS Employee Earnings survey (August 2025) is about $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 per year.
The national minimum wage, set by Fair Work from 1 July 2026, is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose 4.75% at the same time. Jumbo operators are typically covered by enterprise agreements rather than awards, which is one reason their pay can be much higher than the minimum.
Why State and Award Matter
Jumbo operators are concentrated in mining states. Western Australia has the highest state full-time average at $115,825 per year, followed by Queensland at $106,064 and the Northern Territory at $103,173. These state averages reflect the overall mix of industries in each state, but for a jumbo operator the actual pay can be even higher because of site-specific enterprise agreements and demand for experienced operators.
For example, a jumbo operator working in the Pilbara (WA) on a fly-in-fly-out roster may earn a base salary plus site allowances, overtime, and bonuses that push total compensation above $160,000. In contrast, a jumbo operator in a smaller underground mine in Tasmania (state full-time average $96,008) might earn closer to the lower end of the range.
The method of setting pay also matters. The ABS reports that 38.5% of employees have pay set by individual arrangement, 34.6% by collective agreement. In mining, collective agreements are common and often include higher base rates and penalty payments for remote work.
Comparing to Other Roles
To see how a jumbo operator salary stacks up against other occupations, you can Place a salary on the line and compare it to the national average. The tool also shows the weekly and hourly equivalents on a 38-hour week, and the distance from the full-time average.
For a broader view, the States and territories page breaks down full-time averages for each state and territory, which is useful for understanding regional differences in pay.
What the Figures Don't Tell You
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey measures the level of earnings at a point in time, but it can be affected by changes in the composition of the workforce – for example, more part-time or junior employees in a given period. The mining industry average includes all employees, not just operators, so it may be pulled up by higher-paid managers and professionals.
Similarly, the SEEK salary range is based on full-time salaries disclosed by employers in job ads. It does not include bonuses, superannuation, or other benefits, and it may not reflect the full market. For a precise figure, you would need to look at specific enterprise agreements or talk to employers in your region.
The Bottom Line
A jumbo operator salary typically falls between $130,000 and $160,000 per year, well above the national full-time average of $108,352. The exact figure depends on the state, the mine site, the enterprise agreement, and the operator's experience. The mining industry's high average earnings – $167,658 per year – show that this sector rewards skilled workers, but individual results vary.
For more detail on how the national line is calculated, see How the figures are set.