Continuous Mining Machine Operator Salary
Continuous Mining Machine Operators earn a median $61,810 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
What continuous mining machine operators do
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.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.2% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 1,400
Employment of continuous mining machine operators is projected to grow 3.2% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Continuous Mining Machine Operator take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,237
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,832
- Medicare (1.45%)$896
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$51,844
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,770 | $22.49 | $39,760 |
| 25th percentile | $51,610 | $24.81 | $43,649 |
| Median (50th) | $61,810 | $29.72 | $51,844 |
| 75th percentile | $77,570 | $37.29 | $63,400 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,210 | $41.45 | $69,479 |
Continuous Mining Machine Operator salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $90,820 | +32.8% | $68,070 | $59,640 – $102,850 | 420 |
| Nevada | $85,590 | +1.4% | $69,043 | $69,680 – $91,210 | 1,110 |
| Wyoming | $85,260 | −7.9% | $68,810 | $60,520 – $114,540 | 330 |
| Colorado | $81,110 | +1.2% | $63,030 | $73,130 – $81,110 | 290 |
| West Virginia | $77,570 | +2.5% | $60,597 | $59,840 – $90,690 | 720 |
| Illinois | $74,830 | +1.1% | $57,914 | $47,490 – $79,280 | 230 |
| Indiana | $71,570 | +5.5% | $57,098 | $65,850 – $75,520 | 170 |
| Virginia | $63,480 | −7.6% | $50,350 | $48,860 – $79,270 | 230 |
| California | $62,790 | −14.2% | $49,999 | $56,340 – $82,250 | 940 |
| Florida | $62,580 | +31.1% | $52,463 | $40,540 – $67,340 | 230 |
| Idaho | $60,990 | −9.3% | $49,061 | $49,550 – $84,180 | 70 |
| Arizona | $60,880 | +3.6% | $49,784 | $49,180 – $78,660 | 2,850 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,780 | +7.1% | $49,151 | $49,360 – $63,200 | 510 |
| Utah | $59,420 | −12.5% | $48,216 | $49,280 – $77,580 | 890 |
| Alabama | $59,360 | −1.1% | $47,173 | $56,820 – $62,140 | 340 |
| North Carolina | $59,030 | −0.2% | $47,764 | $55,790 – $61,480 | 230 |
| Ohio | $58,030 | +2.6% | $47,994 | $46,800 – $76,370 | 260 |
| Michigan | $57,760 | +3.9% | $46,386 | $49,080 – $79,110 | 180 |
| Georgia | $57,160 | −4.8% | $45,764 | $46,790 – $64,870 | 140 |
| Nebraska | $51,760 | −5.5% | $42,294 | $49,120 – $64,950 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $50,020 | −10.8% | $40,738 | $48,950 – $68,260 | 390 |
| Texas | $48,950 | +35.0% | $41,511 | $24,020 – $63,470 | 390 |
| New Mexico | $48,900 | +5.2% | $40,336 | $38,630 – $61,850 | 470 |
| Arkansas | $47,890 | +9.7% | $39,005 | $33,760 – $66,560 | 80 |
| Missouri | $47,280 | +5.3% | $38,885 | $36,310 – $75,000 | 920 |
| Oklahoma | $46,980 | +4.7% | $38,360 | $39,520 – $57,480 | 310 |
| New York | $46,450 | −5.9% | $37,591 | $38,400 – $63,450 | 180 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other | $70,130 | No formal educational credential | -1.0% |
| Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $74,500 | No formal educational credential | -15.8% |
| Roof Bolters, Mining | $78,540 | High school diploma or equivalent | -18.9% |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $61,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | 0.0% |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $60,190 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,620 | No formal educational credential | +1.6% |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,160 | No formal educational credential | +1.1% |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $57,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.0% |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $57,010 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $67,890 | No formal educational credential | +0.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a continuous mining machine operator make?
The national median salary for continuous mining machine operators is $61,810 a year ($29.72 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,770 and the top 10% earn over $86,210. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays continuous mining machine operators the most?
Minnesota has the highest median pay at $90,820.
How many continuous mining machine operators are there in the U.S.?
About 14,000 people work as continuous mining machine operators nationwide.