How much does an underground mining machine operator make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $33.72 an hour or $5,844 a month.
- Hourly
- $33.72
- Average (mean)
- $69,860
- Jobs
- 3,180
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,020 | $23.57 | |
| 25th | $51,670 | $24.84 | |
| Median | $70,130 | $33.72 | |
| 75th | $83,120 | $39.96 | |
| 90th | $85,010 | $40.87 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| Alaska | $106,800 |
| Montana | $84,410 |
| Minnesota | $83,120 |
| Illinois | $72,800 |
| Utah | $67,200 |
| West Virginia | $65,610 |
| Virginia | $61,990 |
| Nevada | $59,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,480 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Wheeling, WV | $65,610 |
In other countries
Underground Mining Machine Operator belongs to the international group "Miners and quarriers".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Derrick Operator$58,620
- Rotary Drill Operator$67,890
- Service Unit Operator$58,160
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operator$57,430
- Earth Driller$60,190
- Explosives Worker$61,390
- Continuous Mining Machine Operator$61,810
- Roof Bolter$78,540
- Loading and Moving Machine Operator$74,500
- Rock Splitter$48,740
Frequently asked questions
How much does an underground mining machine operator make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $33.72 ($70,130 a year).
How much does an underground mining machine operator make a month?
About $5,844 a month before tax, based on a median of $70,130 a year.
How much does an underground mining machine operator make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $49,020 or less a year ($23.57 an hour); the top 10% make $85,010 or more.
Which state pays underground mining machine operators the most?
Alaska, with a median of $106,800 a year, followed by Montana ($84,410) and Minnesota ($83,120).
Which city pays underground mining machine operators the most?
Wheeling, WV-OH, with a median of $65,610 a year.
How many underground mining machine operators are there in the United States?
About 3,180 people work as underground mining machine operators.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.