FIFO Salaries Australia (2026): Pay by Role, Roster and Industry
FIFO work is well known for offering some of the highest salaries in Australia, particularly across mining, oil and gas, construction and remote operations. However, pay can vary significantly depending on your role, experience, roster, employer and location.
Whether you're considering your first FIFO job or comparing opportunities, understanding current salary ranges can help you decide which career path is right for you.
At FIFO Careers, we regularly list hundreds of FIFO and DIDO jobs across Australia. While every employer structures remuneration differently, our listings provide a useful snapshot of current salary trends across trades, operations, camp services, healthcare and engineering roles.
If you're new to FIFO work, start with our guide on How to Get a FIFO Job in Australia with No Experience, or learn about common roster patterns in our FIFO Rosters Explained article.
What affects FIFO salaries?
Several factors influence how much you'll earn in a FIFO role.
These include:
Industry (mining, construction, oil & gas, renewables)
Occupation
Years of experience
Qualifications and licences
Roster length
Site location
Contractor vs permanent employment
Bonuses and allowances
Generally, remote mine sites and specialised technical positions attract higher salaries due to skills shortages and challenging working conditions.
Average FIFO salaries by job type
The following salary ranges represent typical full-time annual earnings in Australia.
Role | Typical Salary |
|---|---|
Utility Worker | $70,000–$95,000 |
Cleaner | $70,000–$90,000 |
Kitchen Hand | $70,000–$90,000 |
FIFO Chef | $90,000–$130,000 |
Bus Driver | $90,000–$120,000 |
Security Officer | $85,000–$120,000 |
Trades Assistant | $90,000–$120,000 |
Drillers Offsider | $95,000–$130,000 |
Dump Truck Operator | $100,000–$140,000 |
Mobile Plant Operator | $110,000–$150,000 |
Electrician | $140,000–$190,000 |
Diesel Mechanic | $140,000–$190,000 |
Boilermaker | $150,000–$200,000 |
HD Fitter | $150,000–$210,000 |
Mechanical Fitter | $130,000–$180,000 |
HSE Advisor | $130,000–$180,000 |
Geologist | $130,000–$180,000 |
Mining Engineer | $160,000–$250,000+ |
Project Manager | $180,000–$300,000+ |
Actual salaries vary between employers and may include bonuses, superannuation, site allowances and overtime.
FIFO Careers insight
One trend we consistently see on FIFO Careers is that trade and maintenance roles often advertise the highest salary packages, particularly for electricians, boilermakers, diesel mechanics and HD fitters.
Camp services roles—including catering, cleaning and utility work—generally offer lower salaries than technical trades but remain popular because they often require less industry experience and can provide an entry point into FIFO.
At the time of writing, trade and maintenance roles are among the most commonly advertised jobs on FIFO Careers, with regular opportunities for electricians, diesel mechanics, boilermakers, HD fitters and mechanical fitters across Australia's major mining regions.
FIFO Careers also consistently lists a strong selection of utility, catering and chef roles, making camp services one of the most accessible pathways into FIFO work for people without mining experience.
Salary packages on FIFO Careers vary widely depending on the employer, roster and location. Entry-level camp services roles typically advertise competitive salaries with accommodation and meals provided, while experienced tradespeople, engineers and leadership positions can command significantly higher remuneration packages.
Which FIFO jobs pay the most?
The highest-paying FIFO positions typically require significant experience or specialist qualifications.
Common examples include:
Mining Engineers
Project Managers
Underground Supervisors
HD Fitters
Senior Electricians
Shutdown Supervisors
Mechanical Superintendents
Drill & Blast Engineers
Many of these positions exceed $180,000 per year, with some senior leadership roles earning well above $250,000 annually.
Does your roster affect your salary?
Yes.
Longer rosters generally mean more hours worked each year, which can result in higher overall earnings.
Examples include:
Roster | Typical Impact |
|---|---|
8/6 | Better work-life balance |
2/1 | Higher annual income |
2/2 | Balanced lifestyle |
3/1 | Often highest annual earnings |
Shutdown work | High hourly rates but less predictable work |
Want to understand these rosters? Read our guide to FIFO Rosters Explained: 2/1, 8/6 and More.
Which industries pay the best?
Mining remains Australia's largest source of FIFO employment, but it's not the only option.
Generally speaking:
Oil & Gas
Underground Mining
Major Construction Projects
Iron Ore
Gold Mining
Lithium Mining
Camp Services
Specialised shutdown work can also command premium hourly rates during peak maintenance periods.
Can you earn six figures in your first FIFO job?
Yes. But it depends on the role.
Many entry-level positions can exceed $90,000 annually, particularly if they include overtime and site allowances.
Examples include:
Drillers Offsider
Utility Worker
Trades Assistant
Camp Maintenance
Kitchen roles
Many people use these positions as a pathway into higher-paying trade or operator roles.
If you're just starting out, read How to Get a FIFO Job in Australia with No Experience.
FIFO Careers insight
Looking across current job listings, the most common industries hiring are:
Trade positions consistently represent one of the largest categories of advertised FIFO jobs.
At the time of writing, FIFO Careers listed 231 active FIFO jobs from employers across mining, construction, oil & gas, camp services and remote operations. Mining remained the largest category of opportunities, with dozens of site-based roles including operators, trades, engineers and maintenance personnel, alongside hospitality, catering and village support positions.
Salary vs lifestyle
While FIFO salaries can be attractive, they come with trade-offs.
Benefits include:
Higher earning potential
Accommodation and meals often provided
Ability to save more
Longer periods off between swings
Challenges include:
Time away from family
Remote locations
Long shifts
Physically demanding work
For many workers, the roster and lifestyle can be just as important as the salary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average FIFO salary in Australia?
Many full-time FIFO roles fall between $100,000 and $170,000 per year, although specialist positions can earn substantially more.
What is the highest-paying FIFO job?
Senior engineering, project management and specialist maintenance roles often exceed $250,000 annually.
Do FIFO workers get free accommodation?
Most employers provide accommodation and meals while you're on site, although arrangements differ between companies.
Are FIFO salaries higher than local jobs?
Generally yes. Higher salaries compensate for remote work, long shifts and extended time away from home.
Find your next FIFO job
Whether you're looking for an entry-level opportunity or a senior technical role, FIFO Careers brings together jobs from employers across Australia's mining, construction, oil & gas and remote industries.
Browse the latest FIFO jobs by role, company or location to compare current opportunities and salary packages.
