SOC 17-2151 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers — California
California · 4 metro areas compared
In California the median wage for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers reaches $158,130 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In California the median wage for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers reaches $158,130 a year. That is 48.9% more than the national median of $106,220. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $122,120 and $169,770. The lowest tenth earn under $84,430, while the highest tenth earn more than $175,940.
Employment stands at 520, or 0.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 28 states with published data for this occupation, California ranks 1st by median wage. San Francisco leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $173,790. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 53rd of 793 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $84,430 | −20.5% |
| 25th | $122,120 | +15.0% |
| Median (50th) | $158,130 | +48.9% |
| 75th | $169,770 | +59.8% |
| 90th | $175,940 | +65.6% |
| Mean | $143,080 | +34.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $173,790 | 30 | |
| 2 | Sacramento | $166,770 | 160 | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $144,230 | 180 | |
| 4 | San Diego | $107,590 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $158,130 buys what $142,846 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 34.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$158,130as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$142,846US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $158,130 a year, 48.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $84,430 to $175,940 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 520 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 1st of 28 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Francisco, at $173,790.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers in California?
The median annual wage is $158,130, or $76.03 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $106,220, so pay in California is 48.9% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in California earns more than $175,940 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $84,430 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Francisco, at $173,790 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 520 jobs in this occupation in California. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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