HandsOnward
Sign InBuild My Roadmap

Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

Compare to another career

Operate underground loading or moving machine to load or move coal, ore, or rock using shuttle or mine car or conveyors. Equipment may include power shovels, hoisting engines equipped with cable-drawn scraper or scoop, or machines equipped with gathering arms and conveyor.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $74,500/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$52,030$87,730

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: -22.3% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.

About 500 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.

Top skills
Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringTroubleshootingActive ListeningCoordinationCritical ThinkingEquipment MaintenanceSpeakingReading ComprehensionMonitoring
Top knowledge areas
MechanicalEducation and TrainingLaw and GovernmentEnglish LanguageProduction and ProcessingPublic Safety and SecurityTransportationAdministration and Management
Core tasks

• Handle high voltage sources and hang electrical cables.

• Drive loaded shuttle cars to ramps and move controls to discharge loads into mine cars or onto conveyors.

• Pry off loose material from roofs and move it into the paths of machines, using crowbars.

• Move trailing electrical cables clear of obstructions, using rubber safety gloves.

• Control conveyors that run the entire length of shuttle cars to distribute loads as loading progresses.

• Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines.

• Examine roadway and clear obstructions from the path of travel.

• Drive machines into piles of material blasted from working faces.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining?

The median pay for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining is $74,500 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining?

Employment for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining is projected to change -22.3% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.

What education is typically required for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining?

Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

How many job openings are there each year for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining?

About 500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.