Machine Operator Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Machine Operators in Melbourne earn a median salary of $70,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $64,022 and $88,979. That sits 25% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $93,805. Figures are based on 40 jobs advertised in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

● Moderate demand 60th percentile by listing volume in Melbourne ↑ +3 listings vs last month
💰 Machine Operator · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$64,022 – $88,979
Median: $70,000
Aug $67k
Sep $70k
↑ Trending up

Based on 2-month data, short-term movement only.

Mid level $63,825 – $89,038
Overall $64k–$88k Mid $63k–$89k $61k $67k $73k $79k $85k $91k
Moderate confidence 40 listings (+3 vs last month) · 30/09/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 40 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 45.2% stated a salary directly. The remaining 54.8% carried a range estimated from the listing, so this median blends advertised and estimated pay. Figures represent what employers advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

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Bottom 10%  $64,022 Median  $70,000 $88,979  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

The median rose $2,816 to $70,000 with listings up from 37 to 40. Sydney leads at $73,000 and Brisbane sits at $71,000, so Melbourne is at the bottom of a narrow national band. The 36% spread running $64,000 to $88,000 is standard for award-linked production work. At 45% salary disclosure the figure is moderately well supported.

Take Home Pay (based on median $70,000)

Weekly (net)
~$1,065
Monthly (net)
~$4,615
Annual (net)
~$55,383
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $78,050

Take-home calculated using 2025-26 ATO tax rates, no HECS debt, full Australian residency. Total package adds 11.5% superannuation to base salary. Adjust for your situation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good starting salary for a junior Machine Operator in Melbourne?
Entry is $64,000, typically machine minding in food, plastics or building products manufacturing with on-the-job training. Forklift licensing, quality inspection duties and changeover or setup responsibility are what lift pay within the band. Shift work loadings often matter more to total earnings than the base rate.
Is $70,000 a good salary in Melbourne?
No. At $70,000 a machine operator earns 25.4% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $93,000, with take-home near $1,065 a week against the highest living costs in this report. It sits alongside forklift operation at $70,000 rather than with the trades. The upside available is shift loading and overtime rather than base progression.
How much does a Senior Machine Operator make in Melbourne?
The ceiling is $88,000, reached through leading hand, setup technician or quality control roles. Maintenance is the genuine step out, since maintenance fitters in Melbourne earn $100,000, though that requires a trade qualification. Production supervision sits above this range but appears infrequently in listings.

Other roles in Melbourne

Machine Operator salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $70,000 0%
Sydney $73,112 +4%
Brisbane $71,540 ~same
Adelaide $70,000 ~same

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Data sourced from publicly listed job advertisements. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Seek or any third-party platforms. Salary ranges represent advertised figures and may differ from actual compensation. Updated monthly.