Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
SOC code 17-2151 · O*NET-SOC 17-2151.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$106,220
a year
Hourly
$51.07
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$115,410
$55.49 per hour
Middle 50%
$85,280 – $136,590
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$67,490 – $169,990
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
6,080
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $67,490
- $32.45/hr
- 25th percentile
- $85,280
- $41.00/hr
- Median percentile
- $106,220
- $51.07/hr
- 75th percentile
- $136,590
- $65.67/hr
- 90th percentile
- $169,990
- $81.73/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+1%
Growing about as fast as average
7,000
jobs in 2024
7,000
projected for 2034
About 0 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers do?
Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel.
- Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.
- Test air to detect toxic gases and recommend measures to remove them, such as installation of ventilation shafts.
- Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics.
- Select locations and plan underground or surface mining operations, specifying processes, labor usage, and equipment that will result in safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction of minerals and ores.
- Implement and coordinate mine safety programs, including the design and maintenance of protective and rescue equipment and safety devices.
- Devise solutions to problems of land reclamation and water and air pollution, such as methods of storing excavated soil and returning exhausted mine sites to natural states.
- Prepare schedules, reports, and estimates of the costs involved in developing and operating mines.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 79% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree79%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate17%
- Master's Degree3%
- Some College Courses1%
Common questions
How much does a mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers earn?
The national median is $106,220 a year. The full range runs from $67,490 at the 10th percentile to $169,990 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 1% between 2024 and 2034 — growing about as fast as average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Mathematics3.8/5
- Monitoring3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology4.5/5
- Mathematics4.4/5
- English Language3.6/5
- Production and Processing3.6/5
- Design3.6/5
- Administration and Management3.4/5
- Administrative3.3/5
- Physics3.3/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis.