How much does a mining worker make?
Answer: A typical mining worker in the United States makes $57,010 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 6,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Mining worker pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,530 | $57,010 | $82,160 | about 6,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $61,290 | about 1,000 |
| Louisiana | $48,070 | about 2,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience, location, and the type of mine or employer. More complex tasks, useful skills or credentials, and hours or shifts can also affect earnings.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a mining worker do?
All extraction workers not listed separately.
What's a typical day like?
A shift may mean bringing equipment or supplies to a drilling or mining crew, then cleaning the work area. The exact duties depend on the mine and the kind of extraction work.
How to get this job
In the U.S., a high school diploma or GED is typical, followed by on-the-job training. Most hazardous mine jobs are for people 18 or older, and new miners must complete MSHA safety training suited to their mine.
Did you know?
U.S. mine rescue teams practice by solving pretend mine emergencies against the clock, while judges watch—like a safety contest.
What about Japan?
Nearly the same jobThe US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.
Earn more in the same field
Construction and Extraction jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-and-training-by-occupation.htm
- www.msha.gov/training-education/frequently-asked-questions/what-are-mshas-traini
- www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/43-child-labor-non-agriculture
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes475081.htm
- www.msha.gov/training-education/mine-rescue-training
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY