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Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining

Typical education: High school diplomaHigh pressure

What they do

Operate underground loading or moving machine to load or move coal, ore, or rock using shuttle or mine car or conveyors. Equipment may include power shovels, hoisting engines equipped with cable-drawn scraper or scoop, or machines equipped with gathering arms and conveyor.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $74,500 Median per year · $35.82/hr Most earn $52,030–$87,730

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Advance machines to gather material and convey it into cars.
  • Handle high voltage sources and hang electrical cables.
  • Oil, lubricate, and adjust conveyors, crushers, and other equipment, using hand tools and lubricating equipment.
  • Clean, fuel, service, and perform safety checks on all equipment, and repair and replace parts as necessary.
  • Replace hydraulic hoses, headlight bulbs, and gathering-arm teeth.
  • Read written instructions or confer with supervisors about schedules and materials to be moved.

Job outlook

United States
16% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Coal mining59.9%
  • Metal ore mining16.5%
  • Nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying15.9%
  • Support activities for mining2.1%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 3 to 6 months

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 3 to 6 monthsEntry-level

This is an entry-level job. Most people start with a high school diploma and on-the-job training, usually a few months of related work before they run the machines. Typical prior experience is about 3 to 6 months.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finishing high school is the usual minimum education. Strong math, shop, and safety-minded habits help you learn heavy equipment quickly.

  2. Hand Laborer or Material Mover

    3-6 months

    Working as a general laborer or material mover at a mine or job site teaches you the work environment, mine safety rules, and how equipment and crews fit together. It is a common first job for people who want to move into mining.

  3. Loading and Moving Machine Operator, Underground Mining

    Career goal

    You learn to run loading machines, shuttle cars, or conveyors on the job under an experienced operator, and you earn mine safety training required for underground work.

Where it can lead

  1. Continuous Mining Machine Operator

    1-2 years of experience first

    You move from loading and hauling material to running the machines that cut coal or rock at the working face, which takes more skill and more responsibility for production and safety.

  2. Hoist and Winch Operator

    1-2 years of experience first

    You run the hoisting equipment that moves people and materials up and down the mine shaft, a role that requires careful attention to signals and safety rules.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and shop or mechanics classesMath helps with measurements and equipment readings, and mechanical classes build familiarity with how machines work.
  • Take a safety or first aid courseMany schools and community groups offer these, and mining is a field where safety habits matter every day.
  • Get a starter job on a farm, at a construction site, or in a warehouseAny job that involves operating or working around equipment and following safety rules shows employers you can handle heavy work.
  • Join an FFA, Technology Student Association, or similar clubClubs like these build teamwork, hands-on skills, and comfort with tools and machines.

In college

  • Take courses in mechanics, electrical systems, or industrial technologyKnowing how hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical systems work helps you understand and troubleshoot underground equipment.
  • Look for a summer job or internship at a mine, quarry, or construction companyHands-on experience at a real worksite gives you a head start and a chance to meet people who hire for these roles.
  • Earn a basic safety or equipment certification if your school or town offers oneCertifications in workplace safety or equipment handling show employers you are serious about the work.
  • Take a course in technical communication or teamworkUnderground crews depend on clear communication, and these skills help you move into lead or operator roles later.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a mine or site supervisor what training and certifications new operators need, and sign up for mine safety courses as soon as you can.
  • Get comfortable with physical work, long shifts, and working in tight spaces, since those conditions are part of the job.
  • Show reliability: arrive on time, follow safety rules every shift, and learn from experienced operators so you can move up.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

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