Mining engineering salary in Australia
Mining engineering is a specialised profession that plays a critical role in Australia's resources sector. When readers ask about a mining engineering salary, they typically want to know how the pay compares with the national full-time average. The short answer is that the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a separate average or median salary specifically for mining engineers. However, the data that is available on this site provides useful context.
The national full-time average and median
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, multiplied by 52). This is the line on this site. The full-time median is $90,532, and the all-employees median is $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). Mining engineers, as professionals in a high-demand field, are likely to earn above both the average and the median. The men's full-time average is $113,412, and women's is $100,594, which may also be relevant given the gender composition of the engineering workforce.
State and territory differences
Where a mining engineer works has a significant effect on pay. The state full-time averages from the ABS show wide variation:
- 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
Western Australia's average is notably higher, reflecting the concentration of mining operations there. Mining engineers in WA can expect salaries that exceed the state average, given the specialised nature of the work. For a full breakdown, see the States and territories page.
Industry context
The mining industry as a whole pays above the national average. While this site does not have a specific mining industry average in the on-site notes, the Mining industry page provides further data. Mining engineers are among the higher-paid roles within that industry, so their salaries are likely to be significantly above the national full-time average.
Minimum wage and awards
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work). Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date. Mining engineers are typically employed under professional or enterprise agreements well above award rates, so the minimum wage is not a direct comparison but serves as a floor.
Tax and take-home pay
For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy is 2% before any reductions. A mining engineer earning, say, $150,000 would fall into the 37% bracket plus Medicare, giving a marginal rate of 39%. The site's salary tool shows the weekly and hourly equivalent on a 38-hour week, as well as the distance from the national full-time average.
Where to find more specific data
Because the ABS does not publish a separate figure for mining engineering salary, the best source on this site is the Job medians page. That page draws on ABS Employee Earnings data to show medians for various occupations. If mining engineering is listed there, it will provide a more precise figure. Otherwise, the industry and state pages offer the closest available benchmarks.
Summary
While a precise mining engineering salary is not published by the ABS, the national full-time average of $108,352 and the full-time median of $90,532 provide a baseline. Mining engineers typically earn above these figures, especially in Western Australia and other resource-rich states. For the most relevant data, explore the job medians and mining industry pages on this site.
How the figures are set
The figures on this site come from trusted public sources. The average is the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. Medians are from ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025. The minimum wage is from Fair Work, effective 1 July 2026. For more detail on methodology, see How the figures are set and About this site.