Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining Salary
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining earn a median $74,500 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
What loading and moving machine operators, underground mining do
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.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -15.8% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 400
Employment of loading and moving machine operators, underground mining is projected to shrink 15.8% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 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.
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,560
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,619
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,080
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$61,241
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,030 | $25.01 | $43,986 |
| 25th percentile | $61,410 | $29.52 | $51,523 |
| Median (50th) | $74,500 | $35.82 | $61,241 |
| 75th percentile | $79,150 | $38.05 | $64,512 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,730 | $42.18 | $70,548 |
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $112,110 | +7.8% | $87,699 | $106,590 – $120,400 | 30 |
| Alaska | $93,130 | +3.7% | $74,347 | $74,460 – $117,340 | 50 |
| Nevada | $82,920 | +2.6% | $67,164 | $68,060 – $91,880 | 880 |
| South Carolina | $80,480 | — | $61,776 | $56,400 – $80,480 | 30 |
| Colorado | $79,150 | +6.4% | $61,738 | $68,470 – $81,070 | 70 |
| Virginia | $76,900 | −0.7% | $59,322 | $66,210 – $93,120 | 190 |
| Illinois | $75,890 | +0.1% | $58,607 | $65,630 – $87,210 | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,240 | +9.4% | $59,451 | $67,100 – $78,190 | — |
| West Virginia | $74,950 | +2.3% | $58,880 | $64,120 – $81,100 | 1,250 |
| Arizona | $72,430 | — | $58,183 | $57,850 – $79,260 | 100 |
| Ohio | $71,380 | +8.3% | $57,865 | $41,100 – $97,280 | 130 |
| New York | $60,890 | +6.9% | $48,414 | $47,030 – $61,300 | 140 |
| Alabama | $60,020 | +2.2% | $47,670 | $50,720 – $60,240 | 510 |
| Michigan | $59,310 | — | $47,566 | $47,260 – $70,920 | 80 |
| Missouri | $52,040 | +2.3% | $42,486 | $39,160 – $58,120 | 100 |
| Georgia | $50,380 | −2.5% | $40,668 | $37,760 – $64,210 | 100 |
| Louisiana | $48,670 | +26.5% | $40,212 | $36,930 – $72,360 | 110 |
| Iowa | $48,490 | +6.8% | $39,951 | $46,560 – $59,260 | 100 |
| Texas | $47,310 | — | $40,194 | $40,220 – $80,720 | 70 |
| Oklahoma | $44,760 | +2.9% | $36,676 | $33,440 – $73,160 | 70 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof Bolters, Mining | $78,540 | High school diploma or equivalent | -18.9% |
| Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other | $70,130 | No formal educational credential | -1.0% |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $61,810 | No formal educational credential | +3.2% |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $67,890 | No formal educational credential | +0.8% |
| 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% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a loading and moving machine operators, underground mining make?
The national median salary for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining is $74,500 a year ($35.82 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $52,030 and the top 10% earn over $87,730. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays loading and moving machine operators, underground mining the most?
Wyoming has the highest median pay at $112,110.
How many loading and moving machine operators, underground mining are there in the U.S.?
About 5,930 people work as loading and moving machine operators, underground mining nationwide.