FIFO Salary Guide by Role and State (2026)

How Much Do FIFO Workers Really Earn in 2025? A Complete FIFO Salary Breakdown

The FIFO salary landscape in Australia has shifted significantly in 2025 as employers across mining, oil and gas, construction, and renewables increase wages to attract and retain skilled workers. With labour shortages, rising production targets, and remote sites competing for talent, FIFO salary packages have reached their highest levels in over a decade. For many Australians, FIFO work now represents one of the most accessible and financially rewarding career paths, particularly for those with trade qualifications or machinery experience.

The average FIFO salary in 2025 sits between $120,000 and $200,000 per year. High-demand roles regularly exceed this range, with specialist trades, drill and blast crews, electrical technicians, advanced operators, and frontline supervisors earning $250,000+ when overtime, allowances, and bonuses are factored in. Wage growth is strongest in regions like Western Australia and Queensland, where new mines, LNG expansions, and critical mineral projects continue to lift demand for experienced workers.

One of the most important tools for workers comparing different roles is a FIFO salary calculator. It helps break down earnings based on roster type, site allowances, overtime expectations, and travel payments. Many new workers underestimate how much uplift comes from penalties and loadings. A 2:1 or 3:1 roster often results in a significantly higher effective rate than a balanced 8:6 or 7:7 roster, simply because of the additional paid hours. Understanding these differences ensures you know exactly what your take-home pay could look like before signing a contract.

Rosters heavily influence any FIFO salary package. Longer rosters pay more because companies must compensate for extended periods away from home. Remote and hard-to-fill locations, such as the Pilbara or offshore facilities, also offer substantial bonuses to secure staff. Even mid-tier roles can receive a high FIFO salary package when remote site conditions, night shift penalties, and retention bonuses are added.

Industry type is another major determinant of earnings. Mining continues to set the benchmark for strong FIFO salary outcomes, particularly across iron ore, gold, and lithium operations. Gas and LNG projects deliver some of the most competitive salaries in Australia, especially for mechanical trades, electrical technicians, instrumentation specialists, and commissioning teams. Renewables projects are rising rapidly too, pushing salaries up for electricians, civil operators, riggers, and project technicians as large-scale solar and wind developments expand across multiple states.

Trades remain within the highest FIFO salary brackets. Heavy diesel mechanics, auto-electricians, boilermakers, fitters, and plant technicians routinely earn over $160,000 per year. Many push beyond $200,000 depending on overtime availability and site demand. Our detailed guide on FIFO Heavy Diesel Mechanic salaries breaks down these figures further. Operators also benefit from strong earning potential. Excavator, dozer, grader, and haul truck operators receive competitive packages, particularly when working night shift or high-production roles. Explore our FIFO Heavy Equipment Operator salary guide to compare roles.

Location matters as well. Western Australia continues to offer the highest FIFO salary rates due to its massive mining output and remote project sites. Queensland follows with strong wages across coal, gas, and renewables, while South Australia is emerging as a growing hub for copper and critical mineral work. Northern Territory and offshore jobs typically provide some of the largest FIFO salary packages due to their remoteness, harsher conditions, and higher operational costs.

If you’re planning a move into FIFO, comparing the full scope of a FIFO salary package is essential. Beyond base pay, workers often receive accommodation, meals, flights, safety bonuses, tool allowances, retention incentives, and uplift payments. When combined, these benefits can dramatically increase total earnings compared to the listed base rate. Using a FIFO salary calculator and reviewing multiple role types helps you understand exactly what you’re worth and which career path offers the strongest long-term financial potential.

This expanded 2025 guide gives you a comprehensive overview of FIFO salary expectations across different states, industries, and experience levels. Whether you’re a tradesperson aiming for higher earnings, an operator comparing roster types, or someone entering the industry for the first time, understanding FIFO salary packages will help you position yourself for a strong career with excellent financial rewards.

1. Average FIFO Salaries by Role

2. Salary Differences by State

Western Australia (WA) – The Highest Paying Region

WA continues to set the benchmark for FIFO pay due to its dominant iron ore, lithium, and LNG operations, especially around hubs like Port Hedland, Karratha, Newman, and the Goldfields.

• Haul truck operators: $50–$58/hr (Pilbara) across major BHP, Rio Tinto, and FMG sites.

• Diesel fitters: $70–$85/hr at mines like Solomon and Jimblebar and across FIFO heavy diesel mechanic roles.

• Electricians: $60–$90/hr depending on ticketing and shift pattern, with strong demand for FIFO electrician jobs in WA.

• Process technicians (LNG): $90–$110/hr in Karratha and offshore facilities.

• Annual average: $145,000–$210,000.

• Companies leading pay scales: BHP, Rio Tinto, FMG, Chevron, Woodside, Roy Hill, Albemarle.

Rosters are commonly 2:1, 8:6, or even-time 14:14 for senior technicians and supervisors across WA’s major operations and construction projects.

Queensland (QLD) – Coal and Gas Powerhouse

QLD’s coal and LNG operations are catching up to WA, especially in the Bowen Basin and Surat Basin.

• Bowen Basin: Operators on $48–$55/hr at mines around Moranbah and Blackwater, with strong demand across Central Highlands and Mackay.

• Gas technicians (Surat Basin): $70–$85/hr with travel and field allowances.

• Electricians and fitters: $60–$80/hr across BMA and Glencore sites, often working alongside mechanical fitters and diesel mechanics.

• Average annual: $130,000–$185,000 depending on roster.

• Key employers: BMA, Glencore, Anglo American, Origin, Santos, Shell, Arrow Energy.

Typical rosters are 8:6 or 14:14, with even-time patterns common in gas and LNG fields and camp support roles such as FIFO utility workers and FIFO cleaners.

South Australia (SA) – Copper and Renewables Rising

SA’s wages are slightly below WA but stable thanks to new critical mineral and energy projects such as Olympic Dam, Carrapateena, and large-scale renewables.

• Operators and fitters: $55–$70/hr at Olympic Dam and Carrapateena.

• Engineers: $130,000–$180,000 salaries for site-based roles.

• Renewable technicians: $45–$60/hr at Whyalla and Port Augusta wind and hydrogen sites.

• Average annual: $120,000–$175,000.

• Key employers: BHP (Olympic Dam), OZ Minerals, Neoen, GFG Alliance, Iluka Resources.

Rosters are mainly even-time 14:14 or 8:6 to attract and retain staff in specialist environmental officer and technical roles.

Northern Territory (NT) – Remote and Rewarding

The NT offers some of the most isolated FIFO sites, translating to strong incentives, particularly around remote mining hubs and LNG facilities near Darwin.

• McArthur River Mine: $70–$85/hr for operators and fitters.

• Ichthys LNG (Darwin): $80–$110/hr for process and instrumentation technicians, with more detail in our INPEX Ichthys FIFO jobs guide.

• Groote Eylandt manganese operations: $65–$90/hr.

• Average annual: $145,000–$210,000.

• Major operators: INPEX, South32, Glencore, Ventia, Lendlease.

Rosters often 2:2 or 14:14, with full isolation allowances and paid travel similar to offshore Chevron and Woodside projects.

New South Wales (NSW) – Coal and Precious Metals

NSW FIFO is smaller but steady, with a mix of DIDO and short-swing rosters across coal, gold, and emerging renewables.

• Hunter Valley coal: $45–$52/hr for operators and fitters.

• Central West gold and copper: $50–$65/hr near Cobar and Orange.

• Renewables (Broken Hill and Silverton): $40–$55/hr for wind technicians.

• Average annual: $110,000–$160,000.

• Key employers: Whitehaven Coal, Evolution Mining, Glencore, Newmont, AGL.

Most sites operate 7:7 or 8:6 rosters with accommodation close to town, making them attractive for building maintenance, plumbing, and camp services roles.

Victoria (VIC) – Renewables and Offshore Wind

While traditional mining has declined, new energy projects around Gippsland and offshore wind zones are driving FIFO activity from Melbourne.

• Wind farm technicians: $45–$60/hr.

• Offshore construction: $80–$100/hr.

• Maintenance and transition teams: $50–$65/hr.

• Average annual: $110,000–$160,000.

• Key employers: Star of the South, AGL, Vestas, Neoen, ENGIE.

Most roles are even-time (14:14 or 7:7) with flexible travel arrangements, similar to other offshore energy FIFO jobs.

Tasmania (TAS) – Niche Mining and Hydro

Tasmania’s small FIFO sector is stable and focused on mining and power, with many workers also rotating through mainland projects.

• MMG Rosebery: $55–$70/hr for underground operators.

• Grange Resources (Savage River): $50–$65/hr.

• Hydro Tasmania: $45–$60/hr.

• Average annual: $110,000–$150,000.

• Airports: Hobart and Launceston with FIFO rotations to Melbourne and Perth.

3. Rosters and How They Affect Pay

2:1 Roster (2 weeks on, 1 week off)

• Most common in WA mining, especially across Port Hedland, Newman, and major Pilbara hubs.

• Highest income potential due to more work hours per year.

• Typical annual hours: ~2,250.

• Ideal for those maximising pay but tolerating longer swings.

8:6 Roster

• Common in QLD and SA mining and for many FIFO bus driver and storeperson roles.

• Balanced schedule with better recovery time.

• Annual hours: ~2,100.

14:14 or 7:7 Roster (Even-Time)

• Favoured in gas, LNG, and senior trades, including instrumentation technicians and safety coordinators.

• Lower annual hours (~1,950) but better work-life balance.

4. Allowances, Bonuses, and Add-Ons

1. Site Allowances:
$50–$150 per day depending on remoteness and contractor agreement, often higher in ultra-remote hubs like Derby and the West Kimberley or Onslow.

2. Travel Pay:
Some companies pay for flight time; others do not. WA majors usually include it for long-distance sites and full FIFO packages with flights from city hubs to operations like Roy Hill and Greenbushes Lithium Mine.

3. Retention Bonuses:
To fight turnover, several companies introduced $5,000–$20,000 retention payments in 2025, especially in WA and NT across iron ore, LNG, and lithium projects.

4. Overtime and Penalty Rates:
Weekends, nights, and public holidays can push weekly totals 15–25% higher.

5. Superannuation and Insurance:
Almost all roles include 11.5% super contributions. Many top-tier companies add life and income-protection coverage, particularly for higher-risk roles such as crane operators and riggers and dogmen.

6. Accommodation and Meals:
Included on almost all FIFO packages; deductions are rare in mining and energy sectors, especially in larger camps staffed by laundry and housekeeping teams, catering crews, and groundskeepers.

5. Pay Growth Outlook for 2026

Analysts forecast FIFO wages will continue rising 5–8% annually in WA and QLD due to workforce shortages, lithium expansion, and new gas projects. Renewables are catching up with skilled technicians earning more competitive rates across projects like Kemerton Lithium Hydroxide Plant and Kathleen Valley.

Emerging roles in automation, hydrogen, and critical minerals are expected to surpass traditional operator rates by 2026, particularly for experienced instrumentation technicians, electricians, and health and safety coordinators.

Summary

In 2025, FIFO pay in Australia reflects not just skill but geography, remoteness, and roster type. Western Australia remains the gold standard for income, but the gap is narrowing as Queensland and the Northern Territory boost gas and mineral production across regions like the Bowen Basin, Surat Basin, and Darwin’s offshore LNG hubs.

Whether you’re operating a haul truck in Newman, maintaining turbines in regional renewables, or supervising gas flows in Darwin via INPEX Ichthys, FIFO work remains one of Australia’s most lucrative employment systems — rewarding endurance, expertise, and adaptability. Also don’t forget to take care of your mental health.