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.
Continuous Mining Machine Operators
SOC: 47-5041 O*NET: 47-5041.00
Median Salary
$63,380
per year
Job Growth
📉 0.6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Continuous Mining Machine Operators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$41,450
10th percentile
Early Career
$50,850
25th percentile
Median
$63,380
50th percentile
Experienced
$76,850
75th percentile
Top Earners
$84,420
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$41,450
25th
$50,850
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$63,380
Mean: $63,920
75th
$76,850
90th
$84,420
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $42,970 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $50,850 and $76,850
- •Salary spread is 41.0% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 14,340 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:14,900
Top Industries
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction94.4%
Mining (except Oil and Gas)89.1%
Metal Ore Mining43.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+0.6%
Annual Openings:1,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)14,900
Current
2034 (Projected)15,000
+0.6%
+100
Employment Change
+0.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Continuous Mining Machine Operators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 31 locations
Arizona
2,190 jobs$58,7907.38x
Utah
1,400 jobs$67,8708.80x
Nevada
1,230 jobs$84,4208.65x
Missouri
1,100 jobs$44,8904.05x
West Virginia
850 jobs$75,70012.99x
California
850 jobs$73,2200.51x
Texas
660 jobs$36,2600.51x
Kentucky
550 jobs$56,1002.94x
Pennsylvania
390 jobs$56,7700.70x
Indiana
360 jobs$67,8301.22x
New Mexico
340 jobs$46,5004.24x
Wyoming
310 jobs$92,62012.11x
Illinois
300 jobs$74,0300.53x
Colorado
290 jobs$80,1401.10x
Michigan
270 jobs$55,6000.67x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
94%
#3
Equipment Maintenance
86%
#4
Troubleshooting
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Repairing
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Active Listening
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Speaking
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate4.3
86%
Troubleshooting
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Repairing
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Listening
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Repairing
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics82%
5 shared skills
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door82%
5 shared skills
Motorboat Operators82%
5 shared skills
Sailors and Marine Oilers82%
5 shared skills
Ship Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Wellhead Pumpers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Repairing
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Equipment Maintenance
- ✓Troubleshooting
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Equipment Maintenance
- ★Troubleshooting
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations & Execution (1)General Responsibilities (13)Planning & Development (1)
1
Operate mining machines to gather coal and convey it to floors or shuttle cars.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution100% perform100%
2
Determine locations, boundaries, and depths of holes or channels to be cut.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Reposition machines to make additional holes or cuts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Drive machines into position at working faces.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Move controls to start and regulate movement of conveyors and to start and position drill cutters or torches.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Observe and listen to equipment operation to detect binding or stoppage of tools or other equipment malfunctions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Repair, oil, and adjust machines, and change cutting teeth, using wrenches.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Move levers to raise and lower hydraulic safety bars supporting roofs above machines until other workers complete framing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Install casings to prevent cave-ins.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Guide and assist crews laying track and resetting supports and blocking.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on operations & execution activities
- •47% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Continuous Mining Machine Operators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Continuous Mining Machine Operators professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.28
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.16
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.06
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.88
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.84
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.82
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.3
Dependability
4.2
Initiative
4.1
Independence
3.9
Self-Control
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Concern for Others
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.8
Leadership
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Continuous Mining Machine Operators.
Browse Training Programs →