Rigger salary: how state and industry shape your pay

What is a rigger salary?

A rigger salary in Australia depends heavily on where you work and which industry employs you. Riggers—officially classified as Construction Riggers (ANZSCO 821711)—assemble and install rigging gear to lift, move, and position heavy objects on construction sites, mines, and industrial projects. Because the role is physically demanding and safety-critical, pay tends to be above the national minimum, but the exact figure is hard to pin down.

Jobs and Skills Australia does not publish median weekly earnings for Construction Riggers at the six-digit occupation level. The data is simply not available from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours. That means we have to look at the next best clues: state distribution, industry benchmarks, and award minimums.

State differences in rigger pay

Where you work as a rigger has a real impact on your take-home pay. The national salary index (100) is based on full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). States with a higher index tend to have higher wages across the board, and riggers are no exception.

Western Australia has the highest state index at 106.9, which annualises to about $115,825. It also employs the largest share of riggers: 28.8% of the national workforce. That’s no coincidence—WA’s mining and resources sector drives demand for riggers, and those jobs pay well above the construction average. Victoria (23.7%) and New South Wales (20.6%) have indices of 98 and 101.2 respectively, so riggers there are closer to the national line. Queensland (19.7%) sits at 97.9, while South Australia (4.7%) is at 94.6. Tasmania has the lowest index at 88.6, meaning full-time earnings are about 11% below the national average.

If you’re a rigger in WA, your salary is likely to be higher than a rigger doing similar work in Tasmania, simply because the local labour market and cost of living push wages up. The state index is a benchmark, not a quote, but it gives a clear direction.

Industry differences: mining vs construction

Industry matters even more than state. The mining industry index is 154.7—that’s nearly 55% above the national line. A full-time worker in mining earning at that benchmark would take home about $167,500 a year before tax. Construction, on the other hand, has a lower index (not separately listed, but the broader construction industry typically sits around 110–120). Riggers in mining often work on remote sites with fly-in-fly-out rosters, long hours, and additional allowances like site uplift or living away from home. Those extras can push actual earnings well above the award rate.

Jobs and Skills Australia notes that riggers work an average of 52 hours per week full-time, compared to 44 hours across all occupations. Overtime and penalty rates are common, especially in construction where weekend work is frequent. A rigger on a building site in Sydney might earn a base rate under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020, but with overtime and allowances, their weekly pay could be 30–50% higher than the minimum.

Award rates and minimums

Riggers are usually covered by a modern award. The most common is the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020, which sets minimum hourly rates for classifications like Rigger (basic, intermediate, advanced). From 1 July 2026, award rates rose by 4.75% following the Annual Wage Review. For example, a Level 3 rigger under that award might earn around $30–$32 per hour as a minimum, before allowances. Casual workers get a 25% loading, taking the rate to about $37–$40 per hour.

In mining, the Mining Industry Award 2020 may apply, with higher base rates and additional allowances for remote work. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for each award. These are the legal minimums—many riggers earn more under enterprise agreements or individual contracts.

Super and tax considerations

Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, applied to ordinary time earnings. For a rigger earning $120,000 a year, that’s an extra $14,400 into super. The maximum contribution base is $270,830. On the tax side, a resident rigger earning $120,000 would pay about $29,467 in income tax plus $2,400 Medicare levy (2%), leaving a take-home of roughly $88,133. That’s before any HELP repayments or salary sacrifice.

Putting it together: what can a rigger expect?

Without a published median, we have to rely on the clues. A rigger in construction in Victoria might earn around $90,000–$110,000 a year, depending on experience and overtime. A rigger in mining in WA could easily earn $130,000–$160,000 or more, especially with FIFO allowances. The salary index helps: if you know your industry and state, you can estimate where your pay sits against the national line.

For more context, see how the salary index works and compare states or industries. You can also browse pay guides for award rates.

FAQs

What award covers riggers in Australia?

Riggers are typically covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. Depending on the industry, the Mining Industry Award 2020 or the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 may also apply. The specific classification depends on the type of rigging work and the employer. You can check the relevant pay guide on the Fair Work Ombudsman website to see minimum rates for your classification.

How does the state you work in affect a rigger salary?

State differences matter because of varying industry mix and cost of living. Western Australia employs 28.8% of riggers and has a state salary index of 106.9, meaning full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are about 7% above the national line. Victoria and New South Wales have indices close to 100, while Tasmania is lower at 88.6. Riggers in WA, especially those in mining, tend to earn more than those in construction in lower-index states.

What is the salary index for a rigger working in mining?

The mining industry salary index is 154.7, meaning full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in mining are about 55% above the national average. If a rigger in mining earns at the industry benchmark, their annual salary would be roughly $167,500 before tax. However, actual rigger pay may differ based on award classification, overtime, and site-specific allowances. The index is a guide, not a guarantee.