What is the minimum hourly rate for an excavator operator under the award?

Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020, the minimum hourly rate for a full-time employee ranges from $26.67 (Level 1a) to $34.46 (Level 9) as of 1 July 2026. The exact rate depends on the classification level that matches the operator’s duties and experience. These rates already include the industry allowance. An enterprise agreement or individual contract can set a higher rate, but never lower.

Does the ABS publish median earnings for excavator operators?

No. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for the 6-digit occupation ‘Excavator Operators’ (ANZSCO 721214) because the sample size is too small to produce a reliable figure. Jobs and Skills Australia notes that median earnings are not produced for any 6-digit ANZSCO occupation. The only available data is employment counts and hours worked from the Census.

Do I have to pay super on top of the award rate?

Yes. The superannuation guarantee requires employers to pay an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into a complying super fund. This is on top of the minimum hourly or weekly award rate. For example, if the award rate is $30.00 per hour, the employer must also contribute $3.60 per hour to super. The super amount is not part of the wage and must not be deducted from it.

Excavator Operator Salary: Award Rates and Pay Floors in Australia 2026

The minimum pay for an excavator operator covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 ranges from $26.67 to $34.46 per hour depending on classification level, plus 12% superannuation.

Excavator Operator Salary: What the Award Says

When people search for an “excavator operator salary” in Australia, they often want a single figure. In reality, the pay floor is set by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020), which covers most on-site earthmoving work. The award provides a range of minimum hourly rates depending on the classification level. There is no published median or average salary for this occupation, so the award rate is the only reliable benchmark.

The Legal Minimum: Award Rates

The award applies to employers in the on-site building, engineering and civil construction industry and their employees in classifications defined in Schedule A. Excavator operators typically fall under the CW/ECW (Construction Worker / Engineering Construction Worker) levels. The minimum weekly and hourly rates from 1 July 2026 are:

Level	Minimum weekly rate	Minimum hourly rate
Level 9 (ECW 9)	$1,309.50	$34.46
Level 8 (CW/ECW 8)	$1,286.70	$33.86
Level 7 (CW/ECW 7)	$1,256.30	$33.06
Level 6 (CW/ECW 6)	$1,221.30	$32.14
Level 5 (CW/ECW 5)	$1,189.60	$31.31
Level 4 (CW/ECW 4)	$1,154.40	$30.38
Level 3 (CW/ECW 3)	$1,119.10	$29.45
Level 2 (CW/ECW 2)	$1,087.50	$28.62
Level 1 (CW/ECW 1d)	$1,066.00	$28.05
Level 1 (CW/ECW 1c)	$1,047.30	$27.56
Level 1 (CW/ECW 1b)	$1,033.50	$27.20
Level 1 (CW/ECW 1a)	$1,013.50	$26.67

These rates are the minimum classification rates only. Additional allowances (e.g. industry allowance, tool allowance) may apply and become part of the ordinary hourly rate. The ordinary hourly rate is used to calculate overtime, penalty rates, and leave payments.

The National Minimum Wage as a Backstop

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, which from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult employee. However, the award rates above are all higher than the national minimum, so the award is the applicable pay floor for covered employees. If an excavator operator is not covered by any award (rare in this industry), the national minimum wage would apply. But most operators are award-covered.

Survey Data: No Median Available

Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) provides occupation profiles based on ABS data. For excavator operators (ANZSCO 721214), JSA reports that 86% work full-time, with average full-time hours of 47 per week. However, the ABS does not publish median weekly earnings for 6-digit occupations due to sample size constraints. This means there is no official “typical” excavator operator salary. Any figure you see online claiming to be the average or median for this specific role is likely an estimate or a broader grouping. The only reliable pay floor is the award rate.

Superannuation: An Employer Cost on Top

All minimum rates discussed are before tax and do not include superannuation. The superannuation guarantee requires employers to pay 12% of ordinary time earnings into a complying super fund. This is an additional cost on top of the wage, not a deduction from it. For example, an operator earning the Level 3 rate of $29.45 per hour would also attract $3.53 per hour in super contributions.

How to Use This Information

Award rate is the legal minimum for the classification. Check the award’s classification definitions to see which level matches the operator’s duties.
Enterprise agreement can set a higher rate, but never lower.
Individual contract can also be above the award, but must not undercut it.
Casual employees get a 25% loading on top of the ordinary hourly rate (included in the award’s casual rate provisions).

For more detail on how minimum wages apply to different employment types, see our Which minimum wage applies guide. You can also browse Rate tables for other occupations.

Remember: the figures here are a guide only. Always refer to the current award or agreement for your specific situation. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides free advice and tools to help you calculate correct pay.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.