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Roof Bolters, Mining

Typical education: High school diplomaHigh pressure

What they do

Operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

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 $78,540 Median per year · $37.76/hr Most earn $63,750–$92,830

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Rotate chucks to turn bolts and open expansion heads against rock formations.
  • Pull down loose rock that cannot be supported.
  • Force bolts into holes, using hydraulic mechanisms of self-propelled bolting machines.
  • Remove drill bits from chucks after drilling holes, and insert bolts into chucks.
  • Perform tests to determine if methane gas is present.
  • Position bolting machines, and insert drill bits into chucks.

Job outlook

United States
19% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 100 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 mining72.7%
  • Metal ore mining15.4%
  • Nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying4.8%

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

Roof bolting is an entry-level job. Most people start with a high school diploma, spend a few months as a helper learning the work, and then move into the role, usually within about half a year to a year.

  1. High school diploma

    Up to 4 years

    Finishing high school gives you the basic education employers require and shows you can learn on the job.

  2. Mining Helper

    3-6 months

    As a helper you assist roof bolter and other crews, learn mine safety rules, and get comfortable working underground with the equipment.

  3. Roof Bolter

    Ongoing career

    You run the machine that installs roof support bolts to keep the mine tunnel roof stable and safe for the crew.

Where it can lead

  1. Continuous Mining Machine Operator

    1-2 years of experience first

    You run the large machine that cuts coal or ore from the mine face, which takes more skill and responsibility than bolting.

  2. Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster

    1-2 years of experience first

    You prepare and set off controlled blasts to break up rock, which requires extra training and certification and careful safety work.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take shop, auto, or mechanics classesHands-on machine experience helps you understand the equipment roof bolters run and maintain.
  • Take math and physical science classesBasic math and science help you understand measurements, load, and how rock and support systems work.
  • Get a summer or part-time job on a work crewConstruction, landscaping, or warehouse work builds teamwork, physical stamina, and comfort with heavy equipment.
  • Take a first aid or CPR courseSafety certificates are useful on any job site and show employers you take hazards seriously.
  • Attend career days and ask about local minesLearning how local mining jobs work and who to contact can make your first job search much easier.

In college

  • Take courses in diesel or heavy equipment maintenanceKnowing how hydraulic and diesel machines work helps you operate and troubleshoot mining equipment.
  • Earn first aid, CPR, or basic safety certificationsThese credentials make you a stronger candidate for mining jobs where safety is the top priority.
  • Get a summer job or internship at a mine, quarry, or construction siteHands-on experience shows employers you can handle the physical work and follow safety rules underground.
  • Join a campus engineering, trades, or safety clubTeamwork and safety-focused groups build useful skills and connections in industrial fields.
  • Build a record of reliabilitySteady attendance and good references from any job you hold will help you land a helper position and advance.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask mining employers what safety training they require before you start underground, and be ready to complete it. Many mines provide it on the job.
  • Be reliable, punctual, and physically fit. Crews depend on each other closely underground, and these traits help you get hired and moved up.
  • Talk to people who work in mines or visit a mine through school career days if you can. Hearing what the job is really like can help you decide.

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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