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Coal Mining
Peabody Energy, Arch Resources, CONSOL Energy
Roof Bolters, Mining
Roof bolters work underground, drilling and setting support bolts that keep mine roofs from collapsing. The job is distinct because it mixes heavy machine operation, gas checks, and ventilation work in a cramped environment where one mistake can be dangerous. Pay is decent for a no-degree trade, but the occupation is small and shrinking, so openings are limited and the work can be hard to find.
Also known as Underground Roof BolterRoof Bolter OperatorMine Roof BolterRoof Bolting Machine OperatorUnderground Bolter Operator
Median Salary
$76,640
Mean $74,760
U.S. Workforce
~2K
0.1K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-34.2%
2.3K to 1.5K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Roof Bolters, Mining sits in the Trades 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 ~2K workers, with a median annual pay of $76,640 and roughly 0.1K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 2.3 K in 2024 to 1.5K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Underground Mining Helper and can progress toward Lead Roof Bolter. High-value skills usually include Operation and Control, Critical Thinking, and Monitoring & Operations Monitoring, paired with soft skills such as Attention to Detail, Situational Awareness, and Teamwork.
Core Responsibilities
- Move the bolting machine into position and load the drill bit before starting work.
- Drill holes into the mine roof at the proper spacing for each support bolt.
- Use the machine's hydraulic system to push bolts into place.
- Check bolt tightness with a torque wrench and drill test holes when needed.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Move the bolting machine into position and load the drill bit before starting work.
02 Drill holes into the mine roof at the proper spacing for each support bolt.
03 Use the machine's hydraulic system to push bolts into place.
04 Check bolt tightness with a torque wrench and drill test holes when needed.
05 Inspect the machine before each shift and do basic upkeep so it keeps running safely.
06 Test for methane gas, hang ventilation curtains or tubes, and clear dust and loose rock after bolting.
Industries That Hire
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Metal Ore Mining
Freeport-McMoRan, Rio Tinto, Newmont
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Nonmetallic Mineral Mining
Vulcan Materials, Martin Marietta, U.S. Silica
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Mining Services and Contracting
Redpath Mining, Byrnecut, Perenti
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for a trade job, with a median annual wage of $76,640 and a mean of $74,760.
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You do not need a degree to get started; 86.71% of workers come in with a high school diploma or equivalent.
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BLS says no prior work experience is required, and training is usually learned on the job.
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The work is hands-on and mechanical, so you spend your day operating equipment instead of sitting at a desk.
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The skills you build around safety checks, gas testing, and heavy equipment can transfer to other mine and industrial jobs.
Challenges
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The occupation is projected to shrink by 34.2% from 2.3 thousand jobs in 2024 to 1.5 thousand by 2034.
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There are only about 0.1 thousand annual openings, so job vacancies are scarce and competition can be tight.
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The work takes place underground around methane, dust, heavy machinery, and roof-fall risk, so the safety stakes are high every shift.
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It is physically demanding work in cramped spaces, with repeated bending, lifting, and awkward machine positioning.
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The job is tied to mining demand and mechanized production, so mine closures, commodity swings, and automation can limit long-term stability and advancement.
Career Progression
Underground Mining Helper
0-1 years
$46K-$54K
New workers learn mine rules, help move equipment, and assist experienced crew members before running bolting equipment on their own.
Roof Bolter Helper
1-3 years
$54K-$65K
Workers start handling more of the setup, drilling support holes, and checking equipment under close supervision.
Roof Bolter, Mining THIS ROLE
3-7 years
$70K-$82K
At this level, workers operate the bolting machine, test bolt tension, and keep the mine roof secured during active production.
Lead Roof Bolter
7-12 years
$82K-$95K
Experienced bolters coordinate a small crew, handle tougher ground conditions, and make sure safety checks and ventilation steps are done correctly.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
This is the most common entry point, held by 86.71% of workers in this role.
Less than a high school diploma
A smaller share, 13.29% of workers, enter without finishing high school.
Moderate-term on-the-job training and MSHA safety training
BLS lists moderate-term on-the-job training as the typical way people learn the job, and new hires usually need mine safety training before working underground.
Key Skills
Technical
Operation and Control 72%
Critical Thinking 68%
Monitoring & Operations Monitoring 65%
Troubleshooting Hydraulic Mining Equipment 65%
Self-Propelled Roof Bolting Machines 64%
Equipment Maintenance 62%
Torque Wrenches & Bolt Tension Testing 61%
Methane Gas Detectors & Ventilation Systems 60%
Soft Skills
Attention to DetailSituational AwarenessTeamworkClear CommunicationProblem-SolvingSafety Mindset Job Outlook and Trends
+-34.2%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
0.1K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 2.3K to 1.5 K over the next decade, representing -34.2% growth. Around 0.1 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.