In the commentary preceding the survey, the specialist industry recruiter said there were acute shortages of mining engineers, metallurgists, geologists, design engineers, construction managers, project managers, mechanical engineers and occupational health and safety superintendents.

Diesel fitters, dual-traded electricians and boiler-maker welders were in strong demand because of increased pressure on commodity production.

This was reflected in salaries, with the biggest jumps in remuneration seen in trade salaries rising an average of 10-15% – and up to 25% in the iron ore industry.

Hays Montrose regional director Gary Denton said employers were offering increasingly generous salaries to retain skilled and experienced workers but had to consider other key drivers to keep staff happy.

"Although money is important and one of the key drivers, more and more staff want professional development and an attractive lifestyle," he said.

Employers had requested Hays Montrose start looking overseas in South East Asia to attract skilled employees back to Australia.

Project managers in Queensland received between $110,000 to 180,000, whilst their New South Wales counterparts received $90,000 plus. Technical services managers were not too far behind on salaries between $90,000 to $150,000 in Queensland and NSW.

In Queensland project engineers received $85,000 to $110,000 and NSW collected between $90,000 to $130,000. Senior Engineers picked up $100,000 to $150,000.

Discrepancies between NSW and Queensland were evident, Queensland employees on the whole being more highly remunerated.

Salaries were based on residential position excluding superannuation and additional benefits.