Roof Bolters, Mining

SOC: 47-5043 O*NET: 47-5043.00
Median Salary
$78,540
per year
Job Growth
📉 -34.2%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2

Operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.

What does a Roof Bolters, Mining do?

Operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$63,750
10th percentile
Early Career
$71,390
25th percentile
Median
$78,540
50th percentile
Experienced
$81,860
75th percentile
Top Earners
$92,830
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$63,750
25th
$71,390
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$78,540
Mean: $78,100
75th
$81,860
90th
$92,830
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • •Salary range spans $29,080 from entry level to top earners
  • •Middle 50% earn between $71,390 and $81,860
  • •Salary spread is 13.3% around the median, showing low variation
  • •Total national employment: 2,160 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:2,300

Top Industries

Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction93.5%
Mining (except Oil and Gas)93.1%
Coal Mining72.7%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:-34.2%
Annual Openings:100

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)2,300
Current
2034 (Projected)1,500
-34.2%
-800
Employment Change
-34.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: Decline

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Roof Bolters, Mining professionals work across the United States

Showing 7 of 7 locations
West Virginia
970 jobs$79,40099.77x
Illinois
200 jobs$81,8602.31x
Kentucky
120 jobs$72,5104.41x
Virginia
110 jobs$78,2601.84x
Wyoming
100 jobs$116,57026.23x
Alabama
80 jobs$67,0202.81x
Colorado
40 jobs$81,2701.12x

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

  • •Employment decline projected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Production and Processing
100%
#2
Operation and Control
100%
#3
Control Precision
100%
#4
Critical Thinking
94%
#5
Arm-Hand Steadiness
92%
#6
Monitoring
86%
#7
Manual Dexterity
82%
#8
Troubleshooting
80%
#9
Education and Training
80%
#10
Operations Monitoring
74%

Skills Overview

Production and Processing
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Control Precision
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
advanced4.6
92%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Manual Dexterity
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:

Production and Processing

advanced
Importance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0

Operation and Control

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Control Precision

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Critical Thinking

advanced
Importance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0

Arm-Hand Steadiness

advanced
Importance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0

Monitoring

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Manual Dexterity

intermediate
Importance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0

Troubleshooting

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Education and Training

intermediate
Importance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0

Operations Monitoring

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Extent Flexibility

intermediate
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Equipment Maintenance

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators82%
5 shared skills
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers82%
5 shared skills
Machinists82%
5 shared skills
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators82%
5 shared skills
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic80%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • ✓Monitoring
  • ✓Production and Processing
  • ✓Education and Training
Learn on the Job:
  • →Equipment Maintenance
  • →Active Listening
  • →Speaking

Mid Career

Expected:
  • ✓Troubleshooting
  • ✓Monitoring
  • ✓Production and Processing
  • ✓Education and Training
  • ✓Operation and Control

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • ★Troubleshooting
  • ★Production and Processing
  • ★Education and Training
  • ★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 Roof Bolters, 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

Technology Stack

Technology stack information is being compiled for this career.

📚 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
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT 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 high physical demands?
  • •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
  • •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Operations & Execution (3)
1

Drill bolt holes into roofs at specified distances from ribs or adjacent bolts.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Force bolts into holes, using hydraulic mechanisms of self-propelled bolting machines.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Remove drill bits from chucks after drilling holes, and insert bolts into chucks.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

Position safety jacks to support underground mine roofs until bolts can be installed.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

Position bolting machines, and insert drill bits into chucks.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Rotate chucks to turn bolts and open expansion heads against rock formations.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Tighten ends of anchored truss bolts, using turnbuckles.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Pull down loose rock that cannot be supported.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Perform safety checks on equipment before operating.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Operations & Execution76% perform
10

Perform tests to determine if methane gas is present.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
Operations & Execution73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • •50% 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 Roof Bolters, 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?

Roof Bolters, 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 Roof Bolters, Mining

Attention to Detail

Very Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.37

Dependability

Very Important

Dependability

Importance Level4.36

Cooperation

Important

Cooperation

Importance Level3.90

Integrity

Important

Integrity

Importance Level3.83

Concern for Others

Important

Concern for Others

Importance Level3.83

Self-Control

Important

Self-Control

Importance Level3.83

Complete Work Styles Profile

Attention to Detail
4.4
Dependability
4.4
Cooperation
3.9
Integrity
3.8
Concern for Others
3.8
Self-Control
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Leadership
3.7
Initiative
3.6
Stress Tolerance
3.6

💡 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

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