The online survey of more than 1011 employees found 25.6% did not expect a salary increase this year, 43.2% expected an increase between 3 and 10%, and 31.2% expected an increase above 10%.

However, a separate survey revealed 69% of employers planned to increase salaries by 3-6% but only 2% of employers planned to increase salaries by more than 10%, prompting the question – are we dreaming?

Hays Resources and Mining regional director Ben Hiles said employees expecting between 3-10% may be more on the money.

“There is a clear disparity between what employees expect and what employers intend to offer,” he said.

“The salary increase you receive can also be impacted by the industry you are in. For example, our annual Hays Salary Survey shows that the biggest increases to date have occurred in resources and mining as well as advertising-media, professional services and construction, property, engineering.”

However, the resources and mining industry is proving some employees’ expectations are correct.

The annual Hays Salary Survey released in June shows longwall coordinators are now commanding up to $A140,000 in Queensland and $150,000 in New South Wales and undermanager deputies are being paid up to $160,000 in NSW.

In specific coal roles the survey found salary ranges of:

Longwall coordinator: Queensland $120,000–140,000; NSW $130,000–150,000;

Undermanager deputy: Queensland $110,000–140,000; NSW $110,000–160,000;

Project manager: Queensland $120,000–180,000; NSW $120,000–140,000;

Technical services manager: Queensland $120,000–150,000; NSW $110,000–150,000;

Product superintendent: Queensland $120,000–160,000; NSW $100,000–120,000;

Project engineer: Queensland $90,000–110,000; NSW $85,000–110,000;

Senior engineer: Queensland $110,000–130,000; NSW $100,000–130,000;

Mine planning engineer: Queensland $90,000–120,000; NSW $90,000–120,000;

Graduate engineer: Queensland $65,000–80,000; NSW $60,000–80,000;

Project geologist: Queensland $75,000–95,000; NSW $80,000–95,000;

Graduate geologist: Queensland $65,000–75,000; NSW $65,000–75,000;

Surveyor: Queensland $80,000–110,000; NSW $70,000–90,000;

OH&S officer: Queensland $90,000–100,000; NSW $70,000–95,000; and

OH&S manager: Queensland $110,000–140,000; NSW $90,000–120,000.