Operate underground loading or moving machine to load or move coal, ore, or rock using shuttle or mine car or conveyors. Equipment may include power shovels, hoisting engines equipped with cable-drawn scraper or scoop, or machines equipped with gathering arms and conveyor.
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
SOC: 47-5044 O*NET: 47-5044.00
Median Salary
$68,860
per year
Job Growth
📉 -22.3%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Operate underground loading or moving machine to load or move coal, ore, or rock using shuttle or mine car or conveyors. Equipment may include power shovels, hoisting engines equipped with cable-drawn scraper or scoop, or machines equipped with gathering arms and conveyor.
What does a Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$48,310
10th percentile
Early Career
$59,130
25th percentile
Median
$68,860
50th percentile
Experienced
$76,820
75th percentile
Top Earners
$82,900
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$48,310
25th
$59,130
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$68,860
Mean: $68,470
75th
$76,820
90th
$82,900
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $34,590 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $59,130 and $76,820
- •Salary spread is 25.7% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 6,130 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:6,400
Top Industries
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction92.2%
Mining (except Oil and Gas)88.7%
Coal Mining54.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-22.3%
Annual Openings:500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)6,400
Current
2034 (Projected)5,000
-22.3%
-1,400
Employment Change
-22.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 19 locations
West Virginia
1,610 jobs$73,26057.62x
Nevada
810 jobs$80,84013.39x
Pennsylvania
310 jobs$68,7801.31x
Kentucky
280 jobs$67,5103.52x
Ohio
270 jobs$65,9201.23x
Indiana
230 jobs$52,1501.80x
Alaska
210 jobs$89,83016.12x
Illinois
210 jobs$75,8200.89x
Virginia
170 jobs$77,4401.06x
Georgia
150 jobs$51,6900.75x
New York
130 jobs$56,9600.35x
Missouri
130 jobs$50,8601.13x
Colorado
110 jobs$74,4200.93x
Iowa
110 jobs$45,4201.79x
Oklahoma
80 jobs$43,4901.17x
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
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operation and Control
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
92%
#3
Troubleshooting
82%
#4
Equipment Maintenance
74%
#5
Coordination
66%
#6
Active Listening
58%
#7
Critical Thinking
48%
#8
Speaking
40%
Skills Overview
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.6
92%
Troubleshooting
intermediate4.1
82%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate3.7
74%
Coordination
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Listening
basic2.9
58%
Critical Thinking
basic2.4
48%
Speaking
basic2.0
40%
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:
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance82%
skills
4.1/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance58%
skills
2.9/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Roof Bolters, Mining80%
5 shared skills
Rail Car Repairers70%
5 shared skills
Food Batchmakers67%
5 shared skills
Pile Driver Operators67%
5 shared skills
Pipelayers67%
5 shared skills
Continuous Mining Machine Operators64%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Coordination
- →Active Listening
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Troubleshooting
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Troubleshooting
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Equipment Maintenance
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 Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
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 Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
📚 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
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (16)Operations & Execution (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Pry off loose material from roofs and move it into the paths of machines, using crowbars.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Move trailing electrical cables clear of obstructions, using rubber safety gloves.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Drive machines into piles of material blasted from working faces.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Operate levers to move conveyor booms or shovels so that mine contents such as coal, rock, and ore can be placed into cars or onto conveyors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Clean hoppers, and clean spillage from tracks, walks, driveways, and conveyor decking.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Oil, lubricate, and adjust conveyors, crushers, and other equipment, using hand tools and lubricating equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Replace hydraulic hoses, headlight bulbs, and gathering-arm teeth.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Stop gathering arms when cars are full.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Advance machines to gather material and convey it into cars.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Signal workers to move loaded cars.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% 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 Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
💡 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?
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining 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 Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.05
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.01
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.74
Concern for Others
ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level3.73
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.72
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.70
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.0
Attention to Detail
4.0
Self-Control
3.7
Concern for Others
3.7
Initiative
3.7
Independence
3.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.6
Leadership
3.6
Stress Tolerance
3.5
Cooperation
3.5
💡 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 Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining.
Browse Training Programs →