Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Operate self-propelled mining machines that rip coal, metal and nonmetal ores, rock, stone, or sand from the mine face and load it onto conveyors, shuttle cars, or trucks in a continuous operation.
Median pay: $61,810/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +0.6% projected growth, 2024–2034 — slower than average.
About 1,600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Hang ventilation tubing and ventilation curtains to ensure that the mining face area is kept properly ventilated.
• Conduct methane gas checks to ensure breathing quality of air.
• Check the stability of roof and rib support systems before mining face areas.
• Operate mining machines to gather coal and convey it to floors or shuttle cars.
• Drive machines into position at working faces.
• Move controls to start and regulate movement of conveyors and to start and position drill cutters or torches.
• Reposition machines to make additional holes or cuts.
• Determine locations, boundaries, and depths of holes or channels to be cut.
What's the median pay for Continuous Mining Machine Operators?
The median pay for Continuous Mining Machine Operators is $61,810 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Continuous Mining Machine Operators?
Employment for Continuous Mining Machine Operators is projected to change +0.6% from 2024 to 2034 - slower than average.
What education is typically required for Continuous Mining Machine Operators?
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
How many job openings are there each year for Continuous Mining Machine Operators?
About 1,600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.