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
$61,810
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.4
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
$46,770
10th percentile
Early Career
$51,610
25th percentile
Median
$61,810
50th percentile
Experienced
$77,570
75th percentile
Top Earners
$86,210
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$46,770
25th
$51,610
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$61,810
Mean: $65,050
75th
$77,570
90th
$86,210
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $39,440 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $51,610 and $77,570
- •Salary spread is 42.0% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 14,000 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:14,000
Top Industries
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction94.4%
Mining (except Oil and Gas)89.7%
Metal Ore Mining42.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.2%
Annual Openings:1,400
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)14,000
Current
2035 (Projected)14,400
+3.2%
+400
Employment Change
+3.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Continuous Mining Machine Operators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 27 locations
Arizona
2,850 jobs$60,8809.76x
Nevada
1,110 jobs$85,5907.95x
California
940 jobs$62,7900.57x
Missouri
920 jobs$47,2803.47x
Utah
890 jobs$59,4205.72x
West Virginia
720 jobs$77,57011.45x
Pennsylvania
510 jobs$60,7800.93x
New Mexico
470 jobs$48,9006.06x
Minnesota
420 jobs$90,8201.58x
Kentucky
390 jobs$50,0202.18x
Texas
390 jobs$48,9500.31x
Alabama
340 jobs$59,3601.81x
Wyoming
330 jobs$85,26013.03x
Oklahoma
310 jobs$46,9802.04x
Colorado
290 jobs$81,1101.14x
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 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Mechanical
100%
#3
Control Precision
100%
#4
Operation and Control
94%
#5
Arm-Hand Steadiness
92%
#6
Equipment Maintenance
86%
#7
Problem Sensitivity
82%
#8
Troubleshooting
80%
#9
Production and Processing
80%
#10
Critical Thinking
74%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Mechanical
advanced5.0
100%
Control Precision
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
advanced4.6
92%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate4.3
86%
Problem Sensitivity
intermediate4.1
82%
Troubleshooting
intermediate4.0
80%
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
Mechanical
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Control Precision
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Problem Sensitivity
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Production and Processing
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Reaction Time
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Repairing
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
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
Must Have:
- ✓Mechanical
- ✓Production and Processing
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Law and Government
- →Repairing
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Equipment Maintenance
- ✓Troubleshooting
- ✓Mechanical
- ✓Production and Processing
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Equipment Maintenance
- ★Troubleshooting
- ★Mechanical
- ★Production and Processing
- ★Operation and Control
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 →Trade Colleges That Train for Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
1.9k program completions/year
Apex Technical School
Long Island City, NY
847 program completions/year
American River College
Sacramento, CA
792 program completions/year
J F Ingram State Technical College
Deatsville, AL
697 program completions/year
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Bowling Green, KY
635 program completions/year
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Elizabethtown, KY
633 program completions/year
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX
629 program completions/year
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Owensboro, KY
626 program completions/year
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL
622 program completions/year
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL
596 program completions/year
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC
565 program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
526 program completions/year