How much does a continuous mining machine operator make?
The median continuous mining machine operator in the United States earns $61,810 per year, about $29.72 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all continuous mining machine operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-5041.
Continuous mining machine operator salary range
Pay for continuous mining machine operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $46,770 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $86,210. The average (mean) wage of $65,050 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,770 | $22.49 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $51,610 | $24.81 | |
| Median (50th) | $61,810 | $29.72 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $77,570 | $37.29 | |
| 90th percentile | $86,210 | $41.45 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for continuous mining machine operators (SOC 47-5041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Continuous mining machine operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Continuous mining machine operators earn the most in Minnesota at $90,820 a year, and the least in New York at $46,450. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $90,820 | 420 |
| Nevada | $85,590 | 1,110 |
| Wyoming | $85,260 | 330 |
| Colorado | $81,110 | 290 |
| West Virginia | $77,570 | 720 |
| Illinois | $74,830 | 230 |
| Indiana | $71,570 | 170 |
| Virginia | $63,480 | 230 |
| California | $62,790 | 940 |
| Florida | $62,580 | 230 |
| Idaho | $60,990 | 70 |
| Arizona | $60,880 | 2,850 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,780 | 510 |
| Utah | $59,420 | 890 |
| Alabama | $59,360 | 340 |
| North Carolina | $59,030 | 230 |
| Ohio | $58,030 | 260 |
| Michigan | $57,760 | 180 |
| Georgia | $57,160 | 140 |
| Nebraska | $51,760 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $50,020 | 390 |
| Texas | $48,950 | 390 |
| New Mexico | $48,900 | 470 |
| Arkansas | $47,890 | 80 |
| Missouri | $47,280 | 920 |
| Oklahoma | $46,980 | 310 |
| New York | $46,450 | 180 |
State median wages for continuous mining machine operators (SOC 47-5041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for continuous mining machine operators
The BLS projects employment of continuous mining machine operators to grow 3.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 14,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 14,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,400 openings a year for continuous mining machine operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a continuous mining machine operator
The typical entry-level education for continuous mining machine operators is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a continuous mining machine operator earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Minnesota, $90,820) and the lowest (New York, $46,450) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 14,000 people work as continuous mining machine operators in the United States. At $61,810 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Continuous mining machine operator salary FAQ
How much does a continuous mining machine operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a continuous mining machine operator is $29.72. The middle half of continuous mining machine operators earn between $24.81 and $37.29 per hour.
What is the highest continuous mining machine operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of continuous mining machine operators earn more than $86,210 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a continuous mining machine operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a continuous mining machine operator is $61,810. The average (mean) wage of $65,050 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a continuous mining machine operator a well paid job?
At $61,810 a year, a continuous mining machine operator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 14,000 people work as continuous mining machine operators in the United States.
Which state pays continuous mining machine operators the most?
Minnesota has the highest median salary for continuous mining machine operators at $90,820 a year. Nevada ($85,590) and Wyoming ($85,260) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a continuous mining machine operator a good career?
Employment of continuous mining machine operators is projected to grow 3.2% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a continuous mining machine operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for continuous mining machine operators as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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