Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining salary in the U.S.
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining in the U.S. earn a median of $74,500 a year ($35.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,730 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $71,240, close to the median.
Pay range for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,030 | $25.02 |
| 25th percentile | $61,410 | $29.52 |
| Median | $74,500 | $35.82 |
| 75th percentile | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,730 | $42.18 |
| Average (mean) | $71,240 | $34.25 |
Half of loading and moving machine operators, underground mining 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 | $6,208.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,104.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,865.38 |
| Weekly | $1,432.69 |
| Hourly | $35.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $112,110 | 30 |
| Alaska | $93,130 | 50 |
| Nevada | $82,920 | 880 |
| South Carolina | $80,480 | 30 |
| Colorado | $79,150 | 70 |
| Virginia | $76,900 | 190 |
| Illinois | $75,890 | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,240 | n/a |
| West Virginia | $74,950 | 1,250 |
| Arizona | $72,430 | 100 |
| Ohio | $71,380 | 130 |
| New York | $60,890 | 140 |
| Alabama | $60,020 | 510 |
| Michigan | $59,310 | 80 |
| Missouri | $52,040 | 100 |
| Georgia | $50,380 | 100 |
| Louisiana | $48,670 | 110 |
| Iowa | $48,490 | 100 |
| Texas | $47,310 | 70 |
| Oklahoma | $44,760 | 70 |
Best-paying metro areas for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $81,100 | 140 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $80,480 | 30 |
| Beckley, WV | $74,130 | 200 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $57,730 | 120 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $47,910 | 40 |
Metro areas with the most loading and moving machine operators, underground mining
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Beckley, WV | 200 | $74,130 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | 140 | $81,100 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 120 | $57,730 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 40 | $47,910 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 30 | $80,480 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,160 | $27.96 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $57,430 | $27.61 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $60,190 | $28.94 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $61,810 | $29.72 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $67,890 | $32.64 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Rock Splitters, Quarry | $48,740 | $23.44 |
| Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other | $70,130 | $33.72 |
| Roof Bolters, Mining | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| Construction Laborer | $47,120 | $22.66 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-5044. 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 loading and moving machine operators, underground mining make in the U.S.?
The median salary for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining in the U.S. is $74,500 a year, or $35.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid loading and moving machine operators, underground mining make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of loading and moving machine operators, underground mining in the U.S. earn at least $87,730 a year. The top 25% earn $79,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,030 a year, and a quarter of loading and moving machine operators, underground mining earn $61,410 or less.
How many loading and moving machine operators, underground mining work in the U.S.?
About 5,930 loading and moving machine operators, underground mining are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.