Despite the mining boom being over, West Australian plumbers and electricians are still the highest paid tradies in the country, according to a report released on Tuesday.
WA plumbers took out top gong on ServiceSeeking.com.au's 'tradie rich list', charging an average of $87.67 an hour for a job.
WA electricians were a close second on $87.33 per hour – asking for nearly $10 more than third placed builders in New South Wales who on average, quoted $77.85 an hour.
Overall, hourly rates for Australian tradesmen remained steady in the first quarter of 2016 with workers earning an average of $60.88 an hour.
The report is based on 52,000 quotes submitted through its website from January to March.
ServiceSeeking.com.au's CEO Jeremy Levitt told 9 News the figures centred around the mining boom.
"The mining boom in recent years, coupled with a tradies skill shortage, has resulted in WA tradies being able to charge a premium compared to their eastern state counterparts," he said.
Mr Levitt said while the average hourly rate was high, there had been a fall of 9.5 percent over the past year in WA.
"The mining boom has cooled over last two years, so less work going round placing downward pressure on prices," he said.
He said figures were expected to drop off next year due to changes in the market.
"I expect prices to come down as the mining boom in WA and the property boom in Sydney subsides," Mr Levitt said.
Tradie Rich List 2016
- WA Plumbers make $87.67 per hour
- WA Electricians earn $87.33 per hour
- NSW Builders average $77.85 per hour
- NSW Plumbers bring in $77.42 per hour
- VIC Plumbers make $77.03 per hour
- QLD Electricians earn $75.23 per hour
- WA Builders make $71.52 per hour
- QLD Landscapers make $70.57 per hour
- VIC Electricians make $68.68 per hour
- QLD Plumbers make $68.58 per hour
