Skilled Trades
Continuous Mining Machine Operators
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 salary (BLS)
$61,810
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$47k – $86k
Job outlook
+1% (about average)
AI exposure
Plan a path to Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Entry / Junior
$46,770
~2 yrs to advance
Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Established
$61,810
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Senior
$74,010
Key skills
A typical day
- •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.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.