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Contract Engineering vs Permanent Jobs in 2025: What to Expect

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The good old debate between contract and permanent roles used to come down to lifestyle and pay. High rates and flexibility on one side; job security, benefits and long-term stability on the other.

In the past, deciding between a contract or permanent role was career-driven. In 2025, that choice is less about preference and more about job availability. Across Western Australia’s engineering market, hiring is cautious, budgets are tight and both contract and perm opportunities are slower than usual.

Here’s how it’s playing out on both sides:

Why Contract Engineering Jobs Are Facing More Competition

Contracting has traditionally appealed to engineers chasing project variety and higher pay. But at the moment:

  • Openings are limited. Fewer new project starts mean companies are relying more on internal teams. Contract roles are mostly coming through to cover critical short-term gaps.

  • Rates have stalled. With more engineers available, some are undercutting to stay active. That’s pulled the average rate down across the board.

  • Processes are slower. Even when roles do land, onboarding, approvals and site access are taking longer than usual.

That said, contractors with niche skills or strong references are still getting picked up. But it’s less about picking and choosing and more about timing and flexibility.

Permanent Engineering Jobs: Still Moving, But Selective

Permanent roles are still in demand, but they’re not flooding the market either:

  • Hiring is cautious. Many businesses are filling internal roles before releasing them externally. External hires are primarily reserved for business-critical positions.

  • Salaries are flat. There’s little upward movement in pay, even when expectations and workloads have grown.

  • Good roles are snapped up fast. When a strong opportunity hits the market, it rarely stays open for long.

Permanent work still offers long-term stability, but the pace and volume of roles are well below pre-boom levels.

How to Stay Visible and Proactive in Today’s Engineering Job Market

If you’re weighing up your next move, here are three key points to think about:

  1. Neither side of the market is booming. Contract and permanent roles are both competitive and moving slowly.

  2. Flexibility matters. Location, rate, availability and roster type all influence who gets picked up first.

  3. Be proactive. The best roles often get filled through networks before they’re advertised. Staying visible is crucial, so update your LinkedIn profile or connect with a recruiter.

 Final thoughts on the engineering jobs market

This is a wait-and-watch market. However, the highs and lows of the engineering job market are nothing new - especially across key sectors like mining, resources, energy and infrastructure. These sectors are cyclical by nature, and while things may feel slow now, the tides will turn as they always do. The engineers finding work are the ones who stay proactive, adaptable and connected – do this and you will be best positioned to ride the next wave of opportunity.

If you're navigating this market, consider partnering with a niche recruitment consultant - such as one of Titan’s discipline specialists - who knows your discipline and can help you identify the right openings before they go mainstream. Alternatively, you may like to view our current job openings.

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