Skilled Trades
Roof Bolters, Mining
Operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.
Median salary (BLS)
$78,540
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$64k – $93k
Job outlook
No separate BLS projection for this specific role
AI exposure
Plan a path to Roof Bolters, Mining
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateLicense requiredCost to qualify
$100–$2,600
Time to qualify
3.1 yr
Renewal
$50/yr
- 1
Registered apprenticeship (paid)
ExperienceEarn-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
Journeyman exam & state/local license
LicenseMost 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 "Roof Bolters, Mining" — 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
Junior Roof Bolters, Mining
Entry / Junior
$63,750
~2 yrs to advance
Roof Bolters, Mining
Established
$78,540
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Roof Bolters, Mining
Senior
$85,685
Key skills
A typical day
- •Drill bolt holes into roofs at specified distances from ribs or adjacent bolts.
- •Pull down loose rock that cannot be supported.
- •Position bolting machines, and insert drill bits into chucks.
- •Perform safety checks on equipment before operating.
- •Perform tests to determine if methane gas is present.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.