11 Highest Paying Blue Collar Jobs in Australia

Today we present you highest paying blue collar jobs in Australia together with employment prospects for these top earning occupations. Currently, many Australian tradies earn more than their white-collar colleagues, but industries dominated by office employees will see the greatest employment gains in the next few years, at least that is what official projections say.

Latest biannual Survey of Average Weekly Earnings shows that five out of 10 highest paying industries belong to the blue-collar sector. With $2,523 weekly salary, mining is the top-paying field, followed by financial and insurance services, whose employees earn $1,809 per month. Electricity, gas, water and waste services, construction, transport, wholes trade, all of which recruit great share of blue collar workers, also found their place among currently most profitable industries. In terms of salary growth, blue collar workers have also experienced positive changes. Transport, postal and warehousing tops with 24.4 percent increase in last five years, while mining workers receive 20 percent higher paycheck. Workers in wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing and construction also saw a significant rise in earnings of around 17 percent. And while blue collar sectors do not skimp on salaries, projected job growth for some blue collar occupations is rather poor.

Between 2010 and 2015 employment in Australia increased by 7.1 percent mainly thanks to gains in white collar sectors such as health care and social assistance, and professional, scientific and technical services. At the same time, the number of workers in agriculture, forestry and fishing decreased by 15.1 percent, while labor force in manufacturing dropped down by 6.0 per cent. Mining, which recorded significant surge of workers in previous years, has been on downward track since 2014. Furthermore, projections show that negative employment growth in manufacturing and mining will continue in next couple of years as many plants and mines will be shut down across the country. However, the future is not bleak for all blue collar occupations. For instance, construction is expected to add 137,900 new employees, mainly in building installation and completion services, while accommodation and food services will gain 112,400 workers. Major job gains will occur across other blue collar industries as well.

In compiling the list of 11 highest paying blue collar jobs in Australia we relied on Australian Government’s data on average weekly earnings for all occupations. Besides weekly wage, we present projected employment growth obtained from Department of Employment, and skill levels requirements for the job (detail description of skill level classification in Australia can be found here). In case you do not find the occupation that suits you on this list, you can check our previous ranking 11 highest paying blue collar jobs in Canada.

11. Earthmoving plant operators

Average weekly salary: $1,250
Employment growth: -8.6
Skill level: 4

We start this ranking with workers employed on constructions sites who operate machines to break up pavement, move and excavate earth, and smooth other surfaces. Although whole construction industry is expected to add a significant number of new jobs, employment for this occupation will decrease by 8.6 percent, or in other words, by 2019, there will be 3,700 less earthmoving plant operators. In recent years, job growth declined at the rate of 20.7, as major building projects entered finishing stages and there was no further need for site preparation services. The total number of workers in the occupation is 43,200, while New South Wales and Queensland employ the greatest share of the workforce.

10. Telecommunications trades workers

Average weekly salary: $1,250
Employment growth: 6.3
Skill level: 3

Telecommunication trade workers install, maintain and repair telecommunication devices and network. Although they work 40.7 hours per week, little less than the national average, the occupation doesn’t guarantee free weekends and holidays. In recent years, the number of workers has been steadily growing, which is a trend that will continue in the future. By 2019, the occupation will gain 1,800 employees. Latest estimates show that around 28,000 people are employed as telecommunication trade workers, mainly in the sector of information, media and telecommunications. Victoria and New South Wales are states with the greatest concentration of these workers.

9. Truck drivers

Average weekly salary: $1,300
Employment growth: 9
Skill level: 4

The largest occupation on our list in terms of the number of workers, truck drivers, has 189,300 employees. In recent years the job growth has been well above the average and by 2019, around 17,100 new truck drivers will enter the workforce. While the job brings solid earnings and good employment prospects, long periods of time spent on the road put people off the occupation. Compared to other workers, truck drivers work 6.3 hours longer per week. States that employ the greatest share of these workers are Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales.

8. Metal fitters and machinists

Average weekly salary: 1,300
Employment growth: 8.8
Skill level: 3

Metal fitters and machinists assemble metal parts into products and run machines to shape metal. Employment growth which occupation experienced in previous years will continue in the future reaching 134,700 workers by 2019. Manufacturing hires the greatest share of the current labor force while Queensland and New South Wales are top-employing states for the occupation.

7. Electricians

Average weekly salary: $1,425
Employment growth: 9.8
Skill level: 3

With the median age of 33, electricians represent one of the youngest occupations on the list. Like in many other countries, these blue collars are in high demand in Australia. In the last five years, the number of new jobs increased at 14.5 percent rate. Moreover, in the next three years around 13,900 electricians will enter the labor force. The majority of these workers is employed in construction in New South Wales and Victoria.

6. Train and tram drivers

Average weekly salary: $1,500
Employment growth: -5.1
Skill level: 4

The sixth occupation on our list of 11 highest paying blue collar jobs in Australia experienced massive losses between 2013 and 2014 when labor force more than halved. The negative employment growth will continue in the future since there will be 400 less train drivers by 2019. Currently, the majority of these blue collars works in transportation industry while top-employing state for the occupation is Queensland.

5. Crane, hoist and lift operators

Average weekly salary: $1,510
Employment growth: 7.4
Skill level: 4

Crane, hoist, and lift operators represent the oldest workforce on the list with the median age of 47 years. In comparison to other machinery and stationary plant operators, the occupation will experience the greatest employment growth, which, when translated into the number of new employees, will account for 1,100 gain. Currently, there are 15,400 crane, hoist and lift operators, out of which almost half is employed in manufacturing sectors while others are equally distributed among transport and mining. New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia are homes to the greatest percent of these workers.

4. Electrical distribution trades workers

Average weekly salary: $1,550
Employment growth: -4.3
Skill level: 3

Electrical distribution trades workers represent small occupational unit with 10,800 employees. Since 2012 job growth for the occupation has been on the decline, which is the trend that will continue in the future since it is predicted that by 2019 there will be 500 electrical distribution trade workers less. Currently, New South Wales has the greatest concentration of these workers, while largest employers are found in construction and electricity, gas, water, and waste services.

3. Structural steel construction workers

Average weekly salary: $1,600
Employment growth: 3.9
Skill level: 4

Structural steel construction workers assemble rigging gear which is used for moving equipment and structural components, erecting scaffolding, securing steel reinforcing in concrete forms, etc. While in last five years labor force in the occupation significantly increased, projections for next couple of years show that this positive trend will slow down. By 2019, the occupation will gain only 1,200 workers, which will account for 3.9 percent increase. Compared to the labor force in other occupations, steel construction workers are much younger with the average age of 33 years. Although these tradies have solid earnings, they work five hours longer per week compared to the national average for all occupation. Currently, the labor force counts 30,800 workers who are divided among manufacturing, electricity, gas, water and waste services and mining.

2. Chemical, gas, petroleum and power generation plant operators

Average weekly salary: $1,860
Employment growth: 16.2
Skill level: 3

Not only that chemical, gas, petroleum and power generation plant operators earn more than many white-collar employees, but the occupation will see employment growth of 16.2, which is one of the highest increases among technicians and trade workers. Still, candidates for the job should know that this is a relatively small occupation with 9,200 employees, and employment increase of 16 percent translates into only 1,500 new job positions. Moreover, employment opportunities might be limited in some regions. Currently, Queensland is the top-employing state, followed by New South Wales and Victoria. Besides high salary, another attractive aspect of the job is that average weekly hours, which are 38.1, and hence, are smaller compared to the national average of 40.9 for all occupations. The majority of the workers is employed full time in manufacturing, electricity, gas, water and waste services, and mining.

1. Drillers, miners and shot firers

Average weekly salary: $2071
Employment growth: -19.1
Skill level: 4

Although drillers, miners, and shot firers rank as first on our list of highest paying blue collar jobs in Australia, those who are considering entering the occupation should know that this profile won’t be in demand in the future. While in previous five years employment for the occupation significantly increased, next few years will bring equally strong decline. By November 2019, there will be 10,100 workers less, which will decrease employment by 19.1 percent. Currently, 52,700 people are employed as drillers, miners and shot firers, mainly on full-time positions in mining, construction and manufacturing. Currently, Queensland is a home to more than third of labor force in the occupation.