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Skilled Trades

Continuous Mining Machine Operators

Operate self-propelled mining machines that rip coal, metal and nonmetal ores, rock, stone, or sand from the mine face and load it onto conveyors, shuttle cars, or trucks in a continuous operation.

Median salary (BLS)

$61,810

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$47k – $86k

Job outlook

+1% (about average)

AI exposure

Plan a path to Continuous Mining Machine Operators

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Continuous Mining Machine Operators" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Continuous Mining Machine Operators

    Entry / Junior

    $46,770

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Continuous Mining Machine Operators

    Established

    $61,810

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Continuous Mining Machine Operators

    Senior

    $74,010

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Hang ventilation tubing and ventilation curtains to ensure that the mining face area is kept properly ventilated.
  • •Conduct methane gas checks to ensure breathing quality of air.
  • •Check the stability of roof and rib support systems before mining face areas.
  • •Operate mining machines to gather coal and convey it to floors or shuttle cars.
  • •Drive machines into position at working faces.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.