The Australian mining industry is known for offering some of the highest paying jobs in the country. With a range of different roles available, it can be difficult to know which positions are the most lucrative. In this article, we’ll explore some of the highest paying jobs in the Australian mining industry.

Drillers

Drillers are responsible for drilling holes in the earth’s surface to extract minerals. They use a range of drilling equipment and techniques to access mineral deposits deep beneath the earth’s surface. According to SEEK, the average salary for a driller in Australia is AU$123,000 per year, with some senior positions earning over AU$200,000.

Truck Drivers and Bus Drivers

Truck drivers transport minerals and materials to and from mining sites. They operate heavy machinery and drive long distances to ensure that mining operations run smoothly.

Bus Drivers are typically needed to transport personnel from camp to mining site and back again.

According to Indeed, the average salary for a truck driver or bus driver in the Australian mining industry is around AU$100,000 per year.

Welders and Boilermakers

Welders and Boilermakers weld metal components together to repair and maintain mining equipment.

According to SEEK, the average salary for a welder in the Australian mining industry is around AU$120,000 per year.

Fitters

Fitters install, repair and maintain plant, machinery and equipment at mining sites. According to SEEK, the average salary for a fitter in the Australian mining industry is around AU$120,000 per year.

Mechanics

Responsible for maintaining and repairing large and small vehicles, heavy plant and machinery used in mining operations. According to SEEK, the average salary for a mechanic in the Australian mining industry is around AU$110,000 per year.

Mining Engineers

Mining engineers are responsible for designing and overseeing the safe and efficient extraction of minerals from the earth. They use their expertise in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to develop plans and strategies for mining operations. Mining Engineers have tertiary qualifications and as the level of difficulty in this type of role is increased, their salary reflects this.

According to PayScale, the average salary for a mining engineer in Australia is from AU$118,000 per year, with some senior positions earning over AU$200,000.

Geologists

Geologists play a crucial role in the mining industry by studying the earth’s composition and identifying mineral deposits. They use a range of techniques, such as geological mapping and drilling, to collect data and analyse geological samples. According to Seek, the average salary for a geologist in Australia is AU$117,000 per year, with some senior positions earning over AU$200,000.

Mining Managers

Mining managers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of a mining operation, from exploration and development to production and safety. They ensure that mining operations run smoothly, efficiently, and safely. According to Indeed, the average salary for a mining manager in Australia is AU$163,000 per year, with some senior positions earning over AU$300,000.

Project Managers

Responsible for overseeing large-scale mining projects and ensuring that they are completed on time and within budget. According to Seek, the average salary for a project manager in the Australian mining industry is around AU$150,000 per year.

Electricians

Responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical equipment and systems at mining sites. According to SEEK, the average salary for an electrician in the Australian mining industry is around AU$130,000 per year.

Metallurgists

Responsible for studying the properties and behaviour of metals and developing processes for extracting and refining them. According to PayScale, the average salary for a metallurgist in Australia is around AU$97,000 per year.

In Conclusion

The mining industry is an essential part of the Australian economy, and as such, is expected to continue growing and expanding in the years to come. This means that there will be a steady demand for skilled workers in the above roles but many more too.

The best way to figure out what qualifications you need for the role that you want, is to look at typical job advertisements on job sites such as SEEK or at the big mining companies websites such as Rio Tinto, BHP, Fortescue metals group, etc and look at what they require for an ideal applicant. For roles such as project managers, geologists and engineers it is like you will need a tertiary qualification. For trade related roles, you may need to be licenced for roles such as an electrician or plumber, but for other roles entry level is a lot easier, you simply need to get the right tickets.

Need help landing a great mining job?

I hope this article has been useful, if you need assistance preparing a resume that will give you the best chance of getting shortlisted for your dream role, please send us an enquiry. Even if you have not worked in the mining industry before, we can help. Everyone gets their first job in mining at some point, so just because you have a different career background, do not let this put your off. We have helped many people land their first role in the mining industry.

We are also highly experienced at helping those that are highly experienced such as Mining Superintendents, Site Supervisors, Site Administrators and Leading Hands.

Disclaimer: please note that salaries vary from state to state and from mining company to mining company. The above information has been provided in good faith and was current at time of writing but please do your own research. Salaries can fluctuate according to the economy and all sorts of supply and demand factors. Mining resume writer is not responsible for any action taken or not taken as a result of reading the above content.

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