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Mining & Metals
Rio Tinto, Newmont, Freeport-McMoRan
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
These engineers figure out how to find and extract mineral, oil, and gas deposits without wasting money or putting workers at risk. The job is distinct because it blends geology, mine design, and safety inspection, so every plan has to balance production targets with the reality of unstable ground, equipment limits, and environmental rules.
Also known as Mining EngineerMine EngineerMine Planning EngineerMining Safety EngineerGeological Engineer
Median Salary
$101,020
Mean $108,940
U.S. Workforce
~7K
0.4K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+0.7%
7K to 7K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers sits in the Science category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~7K workers, with a median annual pay of $101,020 and roughly 0.4K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 7 K in 2024 to 7K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's degree in mining, geological, or related engineering, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Intern / Co-op Mining Engineering Student and can progress toward Mine Engineering Manager. High-value skills usually include Mine Planning Software (Deswik, Surpac, Vulcan), GIS, AutoCAD & 3D Geological Modeling, and Drill Log Analysis, Reserve Estimation & Mapping, paired with soft skills such as Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, and Judgment and Decision Making.
Core Responsibilities
- Study maps, drill results, and site data to judge where a deposit is, how big it may be, and whether it is worth developing.
- Plan how a mine should be laid out, including whether the work should happen underground or at the surface.
- Inspect active mine areas, equipment, and structures for hazards and unsafe working conditions.
- Choose the mining method, equipment, and staffing plan that best balances cost, safety, output, and environmental impact.
Keep exploring: more Science careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Study maps, drill results, and site data to judge where a deposit is, how big it may be, and whether it is worth developing.
02 Plan how a mine should be laid out, including whether the work should happen underground or at the surface.
03 Inspect active mine areas, equipment, and structures for hazards and unsafe working conditions.
04 Choose the mining method, equipment, and staffing plan that best balances cost, safety, output, and environmental impact.
05 Write technical reports and explain findings to managers, engineers, and field crews.
06 Track production and supervise technicians, survey staff, and other mine personnel so the operation stays on schedule.
Industries That Hire
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Oil & Gas Extraction
ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips
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Engineering Consulting
Jacobs, WSP, Hatch
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Mining Equipment & Technology
Caterpillar, Komatsu, Sandvik
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Infrastructure & Environmental Engineering
AECOM, Tetra Tech, Bechtel
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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Pay is strong for a specialized engineering role, with a mean annual wage of $108,940 and a median of $101,020.
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The usual entry requirement is a bachelor's degree, and the BLS lists no work experience or on-the-job training as required.
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The work is varied: you may split time between office analysis, field inspections, and mine planning decisions.
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The job has a direct effect on worker safety and on whether a project is economically feasible.
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The skill set can transfer into mine planning, operations leadership, safety, or consulting as you gain experience.
Challenges
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Growth is almost flat: employment is projected to rise only 0.7% from 2024 to 2034, with just 0.4 thousand annual openings.
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Remote work is limited because the job often requires being physically present at mines to inspect conditions and equipment.
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The role carries real safety and liability pressure, since engineers are expected to spot unsafe structures and working conditions before problems happen.
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The workforce is small, with only about 6,770 jobs, so opportunities can be concentrated in a few companies and regions.
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Demand can swing with commodity prices and capital spending in mining and oil and gas, which creates a structural boom-and-bust risk.
Career Progression
Intern / Co-op Mining Engineering Student
0-1 years
$55K-$69K
Learns site practices, shadows engineers, and helps gather field data or update plans.
Junior Mining Engineer
1-4 years
$70K-$89K
Handles routine design, reporting, and site support work with close review from senior staff.
Mining and Geological Engineer THIS ROLE
4-9 years
$90K-$125K
Makes day-to-day decisions on mine layout, safety checks, production planning, and technical analysis.
Senior Mining Engineer
9-15 years
$126K-$160K
Leads complex projects, reviews operations across multiple sites, and mentors less experienced engineers.
Mine Engineering Manager
15+ years
$161K-$210K
Oversees engineering strategy, budgets, compliance, and coordination between mine operations and leadership.
Education Paths
Bachelor's degree in mining, geological, or related engineering
The main entry point for this work, held by 79.05% of workers in the O*NET distribution, and the BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical requirement.
Post-baccalaureate certificate in a mining or safety specialty
An alternative route used by 16.69% of workers in the distribution, usually for people who already have an engineering degree and want focused training.
Master's degree in mining, geological, or geotechnical engineering
A smaller path, representing 2.98% of workers in the distribution, often used for deeper specialization or research-heavy jobs.
Professional Engineer licensure plus mining experience
Not shown as a major share in the distribution, but licensure can matter for senior technical responsibility, approvals, and leadership roles.
Key Skills
Technical
Mine Planning Software (Deswik, Surpac, Vulcan) 84%
GIS, AutoCAD & 3D Geological Modeling 82%
Drill Log Analysis, Reserve Estimation & Mapping 80%
Technical Reporting & Excel-Based Analysis 78%
Safety Audits, Ground Control & Compliance Checks 76%
Soft Skills
Complex Problem SolvingCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionSpeakingWriting Job Outlook and Trends
+0.7%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
0.4K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 7K to 7 K over the next decade, representing 0.7% growth. Around 0.4 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.