8 High-Paying FIFO Mining Jobs
Western Australia has booming natural resource industries, particularly those associated with mining. As such, more and more people are searching for
FIFO jobs WA. FIFO or fly-in-fly-out is an especially popular employment model, considering that most mining sites in Australia are located in remote areas of the country. Under this model, temporary workers are flown to a worksite, where they stay for a set number of days. Afterwards, they are flown back to their hometowns for a period of rest and recuperation. This method allows FIFO workers to have enough time to spend with their families and get some rest following days of hard work.
What is the Average Salary of a Miner?
Miners get paid an average of $124,000, give or take, with a typical tenure of about 3 years. Do note that you can get accepted as a miner even without experience, but it pays to have some Work Health and Safety (WHS) training before you apply. This indicates to the employer that you’re committed to minimising risks in a high-risk work environment, and that you’re willing to study and apply new and safer systems of work. Being licenced to drive a dump truck and knowing how to operate an excavator could also be a big asset.
What are the Highest-Paying FIFO Jobs in the Mining Industry?
As we’ve seen above, being a miner is a well-paying job. However, there are also other high-paying FIFO opportunities] in the mining industry. Here are some of them.
- Mechanical Engineer. A mechanical engineer plans, designs, and manages equipment necessary in the acquiring, refining, and transporting of mineral ores. They also have a hand in planning the mining site’s operations and maintenance activities.
Salary: up to $250,000
- Civil Engineer. Civil engineering jobs aren’t all about constructing awe-inspiring edifices. In a mining context, civil engineers also ensure that structures are suitably built and properly maintained, while being able to adapt to a demanding environment like a mining site.
Salary: up to $250,000
- Electrical Engineer. Mining sites make use of a lot of electrical systems. Electrical engineers help develop, implement, install, and maintain these systems to keep all work areas safe and running smoothly.
Salary: up to $200,000
- Underground and Open-Cut (Above-Ground) Miners. Underground and open-cut miners don’t just excavate, load, and transport coal and other valuable ores. They are also required to be well-versed in safety procedures and first-aid.
Salary: up to $200,000
- Exploration Geologist. Exploration geologists map and survey the topography of a potential mining site to determine where valuable minerals are located. With their help, mining companies know where to dig next and won’t waste money exploring low-yield sites.
Salary: up to $200,000
- Geophysicist. Geophysicists study the Earth through various methods, locating minerals, water, oil and gas, and other valuable resources. They use modern data-collection technologies to help miners maximise the output of a mining site.
Salary: up to $200,000
- Heavy Machinery Operators. As the job title implies, heavy machinery operators drive or operate machines like trucks, drillers, and the like. For jobs like drillers, which require the use of heavy equipment, physical fitness is a must.
Salary: up to $200,000
- Metallurgist. A metallurgist deals with metals. They research and help develop processes so that metals can be properly extracted from the materials dug up from the mining sites.
Salary: up to $180,000
Of course, these are not the only FIFO job opportunities available in the mining industry. There’s also a need for semi-skilled workers and employees that can work in other capacities, which means even kitchen workers and IT professionals have a place in a mining site. As long as you have the necessary skills, are well-trained in safety, and can adapt to a challenging, ever-changing work environment, you can be a FIFO worker.
Good luck!
