Mine workers, shell-shocked by the jobs losses in the industry, will be cheered by the survey's good news that some positions are holding up reasonably well in terms of demand.

Mining engineers in open cut roles remain sought after, Hays said, as are process and chemical engineers and electrical engineers.

However, across the industry salary expectations have dropped by 5-15%, and hourly rates among contractors have also been reduced.

Graduate pay rates have come under the most pressure, the recruitment group suggested.

While workers may not be overjoyed at the prospect of foregoing a pay rise this year - or even taking a pay cut, or losing their jobs for some percentage of mining workers - 2009 has marked a slowing of an overheated and unsustainable job market, according to Hays regional director of resources and mining, Simon Winfield.

He said measures employers were taking to retain staff during the boom, such as sign-on bonuses, had also evaporated.

"The premium salary that employers offered to attract a new recruit has all but disappeared, with starting salaries for new employees now largely in line with the salaries of existing employees," he said.

Employees recognised this shift, he added, with job seekers now less motivated by salary and more by the company and the opportunity.

And the salary report shows mine workers are still well paid compared to other workers, and Western Australian mine workers are still the best paid mining cohort in Australia.

Starting salaries for WA workers were higher than in other areas and the state offered the highest wages workers could expect to receive.

For example, according to the Hays survey, graduate geologists could command $50,000-85,000 per year, with WA still the highest paying area for a graduate geologist with wages between $65,000 and the top level.

Other mining positions surveyed included:

Mine managers - $150,000-275,000, with WA mine managers earning $180,000-275,000 on average.

 

Mining engineer - $80,000-125,000, with graduates starting out on around $60,000 in all states and potentially earning up to $80,000.

Senior mining engineer - $95,000-165,000, with WA workers again the highest paid.

Driller - $70,000-120,000.

 

Bogger operator - $95,000-130,000.

Jumbo operator - $80,000-180,000.

Senior metallurgist - $120,000-150,000.

What's really going on with mining pay: what have you seen in the industry? Are graduates still demanding high wages? Are companies asking for salary decreases or just putting the freeze on raises? And are your skills still in demand or are you facing a pay cut?

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