Pay Rates & Rosters
Potential Pay rates & Rosters based on current industry standards**
1st Tier Entry-Level Positions in Underground Mining
Roles such as Nipper, Service Crew, Paste Crew, Diamond Drill Offsider, Agi Operator, and Truck Operator serve as key entry points into the industry.
Pay Rates & Progression
Wages in underground mining are typically discussed as a day rate. As a new starter, expect to earn between $400–$500 per day. Once you can work independently, that rate increases to $500–$600 per day.
For experienced truck drivers, the standard pay sits between $500–$600 per day.
Depending on your roster, annual earnings generally range between $80,000–$120,000.
Job Availability & Industry Demand
A quick search for “underground“ on Seek will reveal a wide array of job openings.
With metal prices booming, mining companies have had no choice but to hire new starters, creating more entry-level opportunities.
While learning to drive a truck is straightforward, understanding how the mine operates and functioning independently underground is a bigger challenge—one that often leads to high turnover among new workers. Employers prioritize candidates who not only have the ability to operate machinery but also grasp mine operations and site expectations. If you can demonstrate this knowledge, you’ll stand out in the hiring process.
2nd-Tier Roles in Underground Mining
Experienced positions like Service Crew Leader (Leading Hand), Bogger Operator, Diamond Driller, Long Hole Operator, and Charge Up come with significantly higher pay rates.
Pay Rates & Earning Potential
For these roles, the daily rate typically falls between $700–$1,000 or more, depending on the company.
Annually, this translates to $140,000–$220,000, influenced by factors such as roster schedule and employer pay scales.
3rd-Tier Roles in Underground Mining
Positions such as Jumbo Operator, Shift Supervisor, and Foreman come with the highest earning potential in underground mining.
Pay Rates & Compensation
Day rates for these roles range from $1,000 to $2,500+, translating to annual earnings of $180,000 to $350,000+, depending on employer type and roster.
Employer Types & Additional Benefits
- Lower pay rates tend to be with owner-operator companies, which often offer benefits such as health insurance, salary sacrifice options, share bonuses, and life insurance. These roles typically follow an 8:6 or 7:7 roster.
- Higher pay rates are usually found with contractors, requiring a more demanding 2:1 roster.
Work Hours in Underground Mining
Mining shifts typically span 12 hours, with operations generally running between 6 AM – 6 PM or 7 AM – 7 PM.
Fly-In, Fly-Out (FIFO) Rosters
Common FIFO schedules include:
- 8 days on / 6 days off
- 7 nights on / 7 days off
- 2 weeks on / 2 weeks off
- 2 weeks on / 1 week off
- 4 weeks on / 1 week off, 5 weeks on / 1 week off, 6 weeks on / 1 week off
Live-In Work Rosters
For workers living on-site, rosters may include:
- 4 days on / 4 days off
- 8 days on / 6 days off
- 7 nights on / 7 days off
- A rotating schedule such as:
- 4 days on / 24 hours off / 3 nights on / 3 days off / 3 days on / 24 hours off / 4 nights on / 4 days off
For more details, please leave your contact information on our Enquiry Form page.
**Pay rates are only a guide and will vary depending on the company and site.
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