Mining Engineer Salary & Career Insights

What is the average salary for a mining engineer in the United States?

$100,640 per year

According to BLS.gov, the average salary for a mining engineer in the United States is $100,640 annually. The lowest salary is $55,150 annually, and the highest is $160,820 annually.

Job Outlook & Work Environment

Job Outlook

πŸš€ 7,100; estimated number of mining engineering jobs. It is estimated that 100 new jobs will be added by 2033.

β˜€οΈ The projected job outlook is expected to grow at a rate of 2% which is slower than the growth of the average career.

Work Environment

πŸ’Ό Most mining engineers work near mines or quarries. Others work in offices for engineering services firms.

🏒 31% of mining engineers work in engineering services while 15% work in metal ore mining.

Mining Engineer Salary in Comparison to Patent Law Salaries

How Does a Mining Engineer Salary Stack Up?

The average mining engineer earns $100,640 annually, while patent agents earn an average of $130,168 annually. Patent attorneys earn even more at an average of $185,351 annually.

A mining engineer who takes the patent bar exam and transitions into a career in patent law will earn more than those who do not. If you already have at least a Bachelor’s degree in mining engineering, then all you may need is to pass the patent bar exam to start your career in patent law.

Top Mining Engineer Salaries by Industry

IndustryAverage Salary
Oil and Gas Extraction$180,420
Scientific Research and Development Services$145,250
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals$134,120
Management of Companies and Enterprises$124,370
Federal, State, and Local Government$107,910
Annual mean wages.

Salary by Mining Engineer Industry

In the U.S., the average mining engineering salaryΒ is $100,640.

Mechanical engineers in the oil and gas extraction industry earn the highest average salary at $180,420. Those working in scientific research and development services receive an average salary of $145,250.

In state government (excluding schools and hospitals), management of companies and enterprises, and federal, state, and local government, mechanical engineers earn average salaries of $134,120, $124,370, and $107,910, respectively.

Experience & Education

Here are some typical daily activities of a mining engineer:

  • Working with Computers β€” Utilizing hardware and software systems to program, develop software, configure functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems β€” Evaluating information and analyzing outcomes to determine the best solutions and address issues.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates β€” Sharing information with supervisors, colleagues, and team members through phone, email, or face-to-face interactions.
  • Getting Information β€” Gathering information by observing, receiving, and collecting data from all relevant sources.
  • Processing Information β€” Organizing, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information.

Here are the typical skills you need to work as a mining engineer:

  • Complex Problem Solving β€” Recognizing intricate problems and examining related information to formulate, assess, and implement solutions.
  • Critical Thinking β€” Applying logic and reasoning to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different solutions, conclusions, or approaches to challenges.
  • Judgment and Decision Making β€” Weigh various actions’ costs and benefits to select the most suitable option.
  • Reading Comprehension β€” Interpreting written sentences and paragraphs in job-related documents.
  • Speaking β€” Communicating information effectively to others through verbal interaction.

Knowledge required to work as a mining engineer:

  • Engineering and Technology β€” Understanding the practical use of engineering science and technology, including applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment in designing and producing goods and services.
  • Mathematics β€” Familiarity with arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Design β€” Proficiency in design techniques, tools, and principles for creating precise technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • English Language β€” Mastery of the structure and content of the English language, including word meanings, spellings, composition rules, and grammar.
  • Production and Processing β€” Insight into raw materials, production methods, quality control, costs, and strategies for optimizing the manufacture and distribution of products.

Average Education

According to onetonline.org, 79% of mining engineers have a Bachelor’s degree, 17% post-baccalaureate certificate, and 3% have a Master’s degree.

Top Mining Engineer Salaries by Location

Factors that Impact Pay

Mechanical engineers in Boulder, CO, earn the highest average salary among the cities listed, at $174,180. Oklahoma City, OK, follows with an average salary of $152,530. In Sacramento, CA, Denver, CO, and Los Angeles, CA, mechanical engineers receive average salaries of $139,780, $128,650, and $127,580, respectively.

Mechanical engineers in Colorado earn the highest average salary among the states listed, at $131,920. Alaska and California follow with average salaries of $128,760 and $127,130, respectively. In New Mexico and Oklahoma, mechanical engineers receive average salaries of $126,660 and $119,030.

Take a look at the average mining engineer salaries from top-paying cities according to Bls.gov data.

CityAverage Salary
Boulder, CO$174,180
Oklahoma City, OK$152,530
Sacramento, CA$139,780
Denver, CO$128,650
Los Angeles, CA$127,580
Annual mean wages.

Look at the average mining engineer salaries from top-paying states according to Bls.gov data.

StateAverage Salary
Colorado$131,920
Alaska$128,760
California$127,130
New Mexico$126,660
Oklahoma$119,030
Annual mean wages.

Related Careers

Patent Agent

Patent agents practice patent law before the USPTO.

Average of $130,168/year

Patent Attorney

Patent attorneys can practice patent law in addition to practicing law in jurisdictions where they are currently admitted.

Average of $185,351/year

Mechanical Engineers

Mechanical engineers plan and design tools, machines, and other mechanical equipment.

Average of $99,510/year

Job Openings in the United States


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