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Project Engineer Salary: Where It Sits on the Australian Salary Index
See how the project engineer salary compares to the national average using the Salary Index. Explore industry averages, award rates, and take-home pay estimates.
Based on advertised salaries, a project engineer in mining earns around index 140, while the national average for the role is roughly index 122, well above the national line of 100.
Where does a project engineer salary sit on the Australian salary index?
If you're looking at a project engineer salary, you're probably trying to work out whether the figure you see is good, average, or great. The Salary Index makes that easy by comparing any annual gross salary to the national line of $108,352 (index 100), which is the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. A project engineer salary that comes in above that line means you're earning more than the typical Australian full-time worker.
What the advertised data says
SEEK publishes average advertised salaries for project engineers based on job ads. These are not actual earnings, but they give a useful benchmark. The averages by industry are:
- Mining, Resources & Energy: $151,305
- Construction: $140,147
- Engineering: $132,170
- Information & Communication Technology: $115,933
- Government & Defence: $110,994
If we put these through the index, the mining average works out at about 140, construction at 129, engineering at 122, ICT at 107, and government at 102. All of them sit above the national line of 100, which tells you that project engineering is a well-paid profession overall.
Location also matters. SEEK reports Gladstone & Central QLD as the highest-paying area for project engineers, with an average of $150,000 – that's an index of about 138. Other regional centres with strong mining or construction activity tend to pay above metro averages.
How awards and agreements affect the pay
A project engineer salary is not set by a single award. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for awards such as the Mining Industry Award and the Health Professionals and Support Services Award. Depending on the industry, a project engineer might be classified under a specific award level. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database, updated to 1 October 2026, contains the minimum rates for each classification. However, many project engineers are employed under enterprise agreements that pay well above the award minimum.
For example, the Mining Industry Award has minimum rates that are lower than the advertised averages we see on SEEK. That's because the award is a safety net, not a target. Employers in mining and construction often pay significantly more to attract experienced project engineers.
Putting it on the index
Let's take the engineering industry average of $132,170. Divide that by the national line of $108,352 and multiply by 100, and you get an index of 122. That's 22 points above the national average. For a mining project engineer at $151,305, the index jumps to 140. Compare that to the industry index for mining overall, which is 154.7 – so project engineers in mining are close to the industry benchmark.
If you're looking at a specific offer, you can do the same calculation. Take the annual gross salary (excluding super), divide by $108,352, and multiply by 100. That's your personal index number.
What about take-home pay?
Gross salary is only part of the story. The on-site reference gives the 2026–27 resident tax rates: nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, but that's on top of your salary, not taken from it.
For a project engineer earning $132,170, the tax estimate (including Medicare) would be roughly $31,500, leaving about $100,670 take-home. That's before any HELP repayments or salary sacrifice. The super contribution would add about $15,860 to your retirement savings.
Where to find more
If you want to compare project engineer salaries across states, check the states page for index values. For industry breakdowns, see industries. And if you're unsure how the index is calculated, how the index works explains it step by step. You can also browse topics for other roles.
The bottom line
A project engineer salary typically sits well above the national line, especially in mining and construction. The advertised averages suggest an index range from about 102 to 140, depending on industry and location. That makes project engineering one of the stronger earners among professional roles. But always check the actual offer against the award or agreement, and remember that advertised figures may include super or other benefits.
Questions people ask
What is the average project engineer salary in Australia?
According to SEEK's advertised salary data, the average project engineer salary varies by industry. In Mining, Resources & Energy it is around $151,305; in Construction about $140,147; and in Engineering approximately $132,170. These figures are based on full-time roles advertised on SEEK and may include superannuation. Actual salaries can differ based on experience, location, and enterprise agreements.
How does the project engineer salary compare to the national average?
The national line for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings is $108,352 per year (index 100). A project engineer in the mining industry earning $151,305 would have a salary index of about 140, well above the national average. Even the lowest advertised average, in Government & Defence at $110,994, sits just above the national line at index 102. This indicates that project engineers generally earn above the typical Australian full-time worker.
What awards cover project engineers?
Project engineers may be covered by different awards depending on their industry. For example, those in mining may fall under the Mining Industry Award, while those in health or professional services might be covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award, which include minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates. Many project engineers are also covered by enterprise agreements that set higher pay.