According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data released yesterday, the average weekly ordinary time earnings for workers in the mining sector was $1938.9, or $100,822.8 a year, a 10.1% rise over the past 12 months while average weekly total earnings were $2007.7 or $104,400.4 a year.

Women in the resource sector may be earning more than previously, but are still being left behind by the men.

On average, men were raking in $104,036.4 a year, an 8.3% rise over the past year, while women in the sector were averaging $79,757.9 a year, up 9.1%.

Commsec chief equities economist Craig James says in the booming mining and construction industries, employers were prepared to pay “top dollar” for the sought-after staff.

"But for businesses dependent on consumer spending, it is an entirely different situation,” he said.

“Consumers are keeping a tighter hold on their wallets, causing businesses in the hospitality sector to cut wages in order to control costs."

The next highest paid sector behind resources was the finance and insurance sector with an average weekly wage of $1422.90, or $73,990.8 a year, while the lowest paid sector was accommodation, cafes and restaurants with an average weekly wage of $830.80, or $43,201.6 a year.

In terms of wages by state, the Australian Capital Territory came first with an average weekly wage of $1326.5, or $68,978 a year and Western Australia came in second with $1277 a week, or $66,404 a year.

Tasmania had the lowest average wage of all the states with $1016.2 a week, or $52,842.4 a year.