Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining salary in Colorado
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining in Colorado earn a median of $79,150 a year ($38.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,070 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $74,500. Colorado ranks 5th of 20 states for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.02 loading and moving machine operators, underground mining per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $78,280, close to the median.
Pay range for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,470 | $32.92 |
| 25th percentile | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| Median | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| 75th percentile | $80,450 | $38.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,070 | $38.98 |
| Average (mean) | $78,280 | $37.63 |
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 | $6,595.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,297.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,044.23 |
| Weekly | $1,522.12 |
| Hourly | $38.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $112,110 |
| Alaska | $93,130 |
| Nevada | $82,920 |
| South Carolina | $80,480 |
| Colorado | $79,150 |
| Virginia | $76,900 |
| Illinois | $75,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,240 |
| West Virginia | $74,950 |
| Arizona | $72,430 |
See Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining pay in every state.
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 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $81,110 | $38.99 |
| 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 |
| 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 47-5044. 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 Colorado?
The median salary for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining in Colorado is $79,150 a year, or $38.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid loading and moving machine operators, underground mining make in Colorado?
The top 10% of loading and moving machine operators, underground mining in Colorado earn at least $81,070 a year. The top 25% earn $80,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,470 a year, and a quarter of loading and moving machine operators, underground mining earn $79,150 or less.
How many loading and moving machine operators, underground mining work in Colorado?
About 70 loading and moving machine operators, underground mining are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.