Continuous Mining Machine Operator salary in Colorado
Continuous Mining Machine Operators in Colorado earn a median of $81,110 a year ($38.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,110 for the top 10%. That is 31% higher than the national median of $61,810. Colorado ranks 4th of 27 states for continuous mining machine operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.10 continuous mining machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $81,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for continuous mining machine operators in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| 25th percentile | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Median | $81,110 | $38.99 |
| 75th percentile | $81,110 | $38.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,110 | $38.99 |
| Average (mean) | $81,120 | $39.00 |
Half of continuous mining machine operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,759.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,379.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,119.62 |
| Weekly | $1,559.81 |
| Hourly | $38.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for continuous mining machine operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $90,820 |
| Nevada | $85,590 |
| Wyoming | $85,260 |
| Colorado | $81,110 |
| West Virginia | $77,570 |
| Illinois | $74,830 |
| Indiana | $71,570 |
| Virginia | $63,480 |
| California | $62,790 |
| Florida | $62,580 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $60,290 | $28.98 |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $61,020 | $29.34 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $64,730 | $31.12 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $64,820 | $31.16 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $37,450 | $18.00 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $69,640 | $33.48 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $79,830 | $38.38 |
| Rock Splitters, Quarry | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $77,890 | $37.45 |
| Roof Bolters, Mining | $81,270 | $39.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $81,230 | $39.05 |
| Construction Laborer | $47,900 | $23.03 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-5041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a continuous mining machine operator make in Colorado?
The median salary for continuous mining machine operators in Colorado is $81,110 a year, or $38.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid continuous mining machine operators make in Colorado?
The top 10% of continuous mining machine operators in Colorado earn at least $81,110 a year. The top 25% earn $81,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for continuous mining machine operators in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,130 a year, and a quarter of continuous mining machine operators earn $81,040 or less.
How many continuous mining machine operators work in Colorado?
About 290 continuous mining machine operators are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.