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Engineering

Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$106,220

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$67k – $170k

Job outlook

+1% (about average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $99,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

Plan my path to this →

How to qualify

Estimate

Cost to qualify

$40,175–$150,500

Time to qualify

4.2 yr

Renewal

—

  1. 1

    Bachelor's degree

    Degree

    Four years at public in-state rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $11,610/yr, plus books. Private and out-of-state run higher; grant aid lowers most students' actual net price.

    $40,000–$150,000 · 4 years source

  2. 2

    FE exam (optional — PE track)

    Certification

    The Fundamentals of Engineering exam is the first step toward a PE license; many engineering roles never need it.

    $175–$500 · 2 months source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers" — 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. Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers Intern

    Internship

    $36,000

    ~4 mos to advance

  2. Junior Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers

    Entry / Junior

    $67,490

    ~2 yrs to advance

  3. Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers

    Established

    $106,220

    ~3 yrs to advance

  4. Senior Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers

    Senior

    $138,105

Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel.
  • •Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.
  • •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.
  • •Prepare schedules, reports, and estimates of the costs involved in developing and operating mines.

Fields of study

Any field

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