Labourers on the West Gate Tunnel are earning close to $200,000 a year as the building industry warns that wages on state government infrastructure projects are out of control.

Figures from the Master Builders Association of Victoria show an entry level labourer working a basic 36-hour week would be earning $110,000 per year but for the industry standard 56-hour week, they would earn $195,000.

“An entry-level labourer, working no overtime, on a six-figure salary is probably getting paid more than a teacher or other workers,” Master Builders Association chief executive Rebecca Casson told The Age.

“It’s these incredibly high site allowances that really push wages up; these are payable regardless of any of the environmental factors on site.”