Mining engineer salary: what changes your fortnight take-home pay

What the data says about mining engineer salary

According to , the median weekly earnings for full-time mining engineers are $3,518, with a median hourly rate of $79. About 93% work full-time, averaging 50 hours per week. The median age is 40, and women make up 15% of the workforce.

For comparison, the Mining Industry Award (from ) sets minimum rates much lower: an entry-level employee earns $27.53 per hour, while a level 7 dual-trade instrument worker earns $37.62. These award rates apply to employees not covered by enterprise agreements, but most mining engineers are professionals paid well above award.

How tax brackets affect your fortnight

Your mining engineer salary is subject to the 2026–27 resident tax rates. At the median annual salary of $182,936, you fall into the 37% bracket (over $135,000 up to $190,000). The calculation is:

• Tax on first $18,200: nil
• Tax on $18,201 to $45,000: 15c per $1 = $4,020
• Tax on $45,001 to $135,000: 30c per $1 = $31,020
• Tax on $135,001 to $190,000: 37c per $1

For $182,936: $31,020 + 0.37 × ($182,936 – $135,000) = $31,020 + $17,736 = $48,756 income tax.

The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) does not apply at this income level. Your fortnightly tax is about $1,875.

The Medicare levy and its thresholds

The Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income. The latest published single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. Full-time mining engineers earn well above $35,013, so you pay the full 2% — that’s $3,659 per year or about $141 per fortnight.

If you have a spouse or dependants, different thresholds may apply. The Medicare levy is separate from the Medicare levy surcharge (which applies if you don’t have appropriate private hospital cover and earn above $93,000).

Super and salary packaging

Employer super contributions are not deducted from your take-home pay if your salary is quoted as ‘plus super’. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% on earnings up to $270,830. For a mining engineer on $182,936, your employer adds an extra $21,952 per year into your super account — but that money goes into your super fund, not your bank account.

If your salary is quoted as ‘inclusive of super’, then your gross pay includes the super component. In that case, your take-home is lower because the employer deducts the super before paying you. Most mining engineer roles are typically advertised as ‘plus super’, so your take-home is based on the base salary.

Award rates for comparison

If you are starting out or working under the Mining Industry Award, minimum rates are much lower. For example, an entry-level surface mining employee earns $27.53 per hour (weekly $1,046.31). At that rate, annual pay is about $54,408 before tax. After tax and Medicare, your fortnight take-home would be around $1,850. This highlights the wide range of pay in the industry.

Putting it all together

Your fortnight take-home pay as a mining engineer depends on your exact salary, but using the median figures:

• Gross annual: $182,936
• Income tax: $48,756
• Medicare levy: $3,659
• Net annual: $130,521
• Fortnight: $5,020

This is before any salary sacrifice, HELP repayments, or the Medicare levy surcharge. Use the Tax and Medicare guide for a personalised estimate.

Remember: the figures here are based on the median mining engineer salary from Jobs and Skills Australia. Your actual pay may differ. Always check your contract and use the Clearance tool to estimate your take-home.