Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining Salary
The median loading and moving machine operators, underground mining salary in the United States is $74,500 per year ($35.82/hour). Salaries range from $52,030 at the entry level to $87,730+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 5,930 loading and moving machine operators, underground mining jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to decline 22.3% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$74,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.82
per hour
Employment
5,930
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$52,030
25th percentile
$61,410
Median
$74,500
75th percentile
$79,150
90th percentile
$87,730
Job Growth (2024-2034)
-22.3%
Decline
Annual Openings
500
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
No formal educational credential
Training Needed
Short-term on-the-job training
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$45K$112K■ No data
Top Paying States
Wyoming
$112K
+50%
Alaska
$93K
+25%
Nevada
$83K
+11%
South Carolina
$80K
+8%
Colorado
$79K
+6%
Virginia
$77K
+3%
Illinois
$76K
+2%
Pennsylvania
$75K
+1%
West Virginia
$75K
+1%
Arizona
$72K
-3%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $112,110 | +50.5% |
| Alaska | $93,130 | +25.0% |
| Nevada | $82,920 | +11.3% |
| South Carolina | $80,480 | +8.0% |
| Colorado | $79,150 | +6.2% |
| Virginia | $76,900 | +3.2% |
| Illinois | $75,890 | +1.9% |
| Pennsylvania | $75,240 | +1.0% |
| West Virginia | $74,950 | +0.6% |
| Arizona | $72,430 | -2.8% |
Showing 1–10 of 20
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining Salary by Metro Area
Limited metro data available — BLS only publishes data for areas with sufficient survey responses.
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $81,100 | +8.9% |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $80,480 | +8.0% |
| Beckley, WV | $74,130 | -0.5% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $57,730 | -22.5% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $47,910 | -35.7% |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A loading and moving machine operators, underground mining earning $74,500/year would need 800 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 859 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how loading and moving machine operators, underground mining salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining salary trend (2011–2024) →