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Coal Mining
Peabody Energy, Arch Resources, Core Natural Resources
Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other
These workers run specialized machines deep underground to cut, load, move, or clear ore and rock in tight spaces where visibility, noise, and footing can all be poor. The job pays fairly well for a non-degree path, but the tradeoff is clear: the work is physically demanding, safety-critical, and tied to a shrinking part of the mining industry.
Also known as Underground Mining Equipment OperatorUnderground Miner OperatorUnderground Loader OperatorUnderground Equipment OperatorMining Machine Operator
Median Salary
$67,220
Mean $67,830
U.S. Workforce
~3K
0.4K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-6.1%
3.6K to 3.4K
Entry Education
No formal educational credential
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other 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 ~3K workers, with a median annual pay of $67,220 and roughly 0.4K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 3.6 K in 2024 to 3.4K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with No formal educational credential, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Mine Helper and can progress toward Mine Shift Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Underground Mining Equipment Operation, Mine Safety Procedures & MSHA Compliance, and Controls, Gauges & Equipment Monitoring, paired with soft skills such as Situational awareness, Teamwork, and Attention to detail.
Core Responsibilities
- Run underground machines such as loaders, cutters, or shuttle cars to move broken rock, ore, or other material.
- Check fluid levels, brakes, hydraulics, controls, and other safety systems before and during a shift.
- Move equipment through narrow tunnels by following mine maps, signals, and radio instructions from the crew.
- Watch for jams, overheating, unusual sounds, or other signs that a machine needs to stop or be adjusted.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Run underground machines such as loaders, cutters, or shuttle cars to move broken rock, ore, or other material.
02 Check fluid levels, brakes, hydraulics, controls, and other safety systems before and during a shift.
03 Move equipment through narrow tunnels by following mine maps, signals, and radio instructions from the crew.
04 Watch for jams, overheating, unusual sounds, or other signs that a machine needs to stop or be adjusted.
05 Clear loose debris and keep travelways open so people and equipment can move safely through the mine.
06 Clean, refuel, and handle basic upkeep on the machine, then report problems that need a mechanic or supervisor.
Industries That Hire
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Metal Ore Mining
Newmont, Barrick Gold, Rio Tinto
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Copper and Base Metals Mining
Freeport-McMoRan, BHP, Glencore
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Mining Equipment and Industrial Machinery
Caterpillar, Komatsu, Sandvik
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for a job that does not require a college degree, with a mean annual wage of $67,830 and a median of $67,220.
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You can usually start with no formal educational credential and build skills through moderate-term on-the-job training.
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The work is hands-on and equipment-focused, which appeals to people who prefer practical work over office work.
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There are still about 0.4 thousand annual openings, so experienced workers can find replacement opportunities even in a small field.
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Learning multiple machines and underground procedures can make you valuable for lead-operator or supervisor roles.
Challenges
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Employment is projected to fall from 3.6 thousand to 3.4 thousand by 2034, a drop of 6.1%, so the field is shrinking.
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The labor market is very small, with only about 3,480 workers, which means fewer openings and less room to move around.
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The work is physically hard and often cramped, noisy, dirty, and poorly lit, which can wear people down over time.
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Safety risks are real because a mistake underground can quickly become a serious injury or equipment damage.
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The job is tightly tied to mine locations, commodity cycles, and automation, so opportunities can change quickly and are hard to transfer outside mining.
Career Progression
Mine Helper
0-2 years
$40K-$52K
Beginners haul materials, clean work areas, and help experienced operators while learning underground rules and equipment basics.
Underground Mining Machine Operator
2-6 years
$62K-$74K
Operators run underground machines independently, move material through confined spaces, and keep a close eye on safety and equipment condition.
Lead Equipment Operator THIS ROLE
6-9 years
$75K-$90K
Experienced operators handle more complex equipment, coach newer workers, and help coordinate production when conditions change underground.
Mine Shift Supervisor
9-14 years
$92K-$115K
Supervisors oversee crews, assign equipment and tasks, and make sure production stays on schedule without cutting corners on safety.
Education Paths
No formal educational credential
This is the typical entry point for the job; many workers are hired directly and learn the work on the job.
Moderate-term on-the-job training
New hires usually spend several months learning equipment controls, underground safety rules, and worksite procedures.
High school diploma or GED
Helpful for reading instructions, basic math, and safety paperwork, even when it is not strictly required.
MSHA safety training or a heavy equipment certificate
A safety credential or equipment-focused certificate can make it easier to get hired or move into a more specialized machine role.
Key Skills
Technical
Underground Mining Equipment Operation 95%
Mine Safety Procedures & MSHA Compliance 92%
Controls, Gauges & Equipment Monitoring 86%
Hydraulics & Mechanical Troubleshooting 80%
Radio Communication & Hand Signals 76%
Preventive Maintenance & Pre-Shift Inspections 72%
Soft Skills
Situational awarenessTeamworkAttention to detailCalm under pressureReliabilityProblem-solving Job Outlook and Trends
+-6.1%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
0.4K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 3.6K to 3.4 K over the next decade, representing -6.1% 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.