SOC 47-5044 · May 2025 · United States
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining across the United States is $74,500 per year, measured over 5,930 jobs. The highest state median is in Wyoming, at $112,110.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
The next ten years
Projected to decline
- Change in jobs, 2024 to 2034
- -22.3%
- Openings per year
- 500
- Typical entry-level education
- No formal educational credential
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
Includes jobs opened by workers leaving the occupation, not only new positions.
Projections are based on 2024 employment and run to 2034. The wages above are from the May 2025 survey, a separate BLS programme on a different release cycle, so the two are not two views of one dataset.
Where the pay is highest for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
Pay for this occupation varies by 150.5% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Wyoming pays $112,110 and Oklahoma pays $44,760.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | $112,110 | 30 | |
| 2 | Alaska | $93,130 | 50 | |
| 3 | Nevada | $82,920 | 880 | |
| 4 | South Carolina | $80,480 | 30 | |
| 5 | Colorado | $79,150 | 70 | |
| 6 | Virginia | $76,900 | 190 | |
| 7 | Illinois | $75,890 | 90 | |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $75,240 | — | |
| 9 | West Virginia | $74,950 | 1,250 | |
| 10 | Arizona | $72,430 | 100 |
States with the most Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining jobs
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wheeling | $81,100 | 140 |
| 2 | Charlotte | $80,480 | 30 |
| 3 | Beckley | $74,130 | 200 |
| 4 | Tuscaloosa | $57,730 | 120 |
| 5 | Baton Rouge | $47,910 | 40 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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