In the U.S. this profession paid an average of $51,000 in 2010, or $25 hourly. In Canada wages can range from $45,000 to $90,000 a year depending on the mine and the nature of the task. Worker shortages in Australia have driven wages up to an average of $108,000, making mining one of the highest-paid sectors. In South Africa workers in gold and diamond mines earn the equivalent of $570 a month, but over the past few years labor unions have pushed for wages that more accurately reflect the dangerous work conditions.