Description
Operate self-propelled mining machines that rip coal, metal and nonmetal ores, rock, stone, or sand from the mine face and load it onto conveyors, shuttle cars, or trucks in a continuous operation.
Interests
- Realistic
- Conventional
Work Values
- Support
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Initiative
- Independence
- Self-Control
Tasks
- Hang ventilation tubing and ventilation curtains to ensure that the mining face area is kept properly ventilated.
- Conduct methane gas checks to ensure breathing quality of air.
- Check the stability of roof and rib support systems before mining face areas.
- Operate mining machines to gather coal and convey it to floors or shuttle cars.
- Drive machines into position at working faces.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Detailed Work Activities
- Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Technology Skills
- Spreadsheet software
- Presentation software
- Mobile location based services software
- Office suite software
- Word processing software
Abilities
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Multilimb Coordination
- Problem Sensitivity
- Reaction Time
Skills
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Equipment Maintenance
- Critical Thinking
- Troubleshooting
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Law and Government
- Education and Training
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Oil Monitoring Analyst ICertifying Organization
Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers
Type
Core
Certificate name
Coal Mine Rescue TeamsCertifying Organization
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Type
Core
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $54,207 |
| Median (50%) | $61,992 |
| High (90%) | $70,212 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $61,474 |
| Mid Level | $64,344 |
| Senior Level | $67,997 |
| Expert Level | N/A |
Employability
There are currently 16,100 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to decrease to 15,800 positions, reflecting a projected decline of -2%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of -2%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
Career Resources
Search All Careers
Compare Careers
Income Outlook
Career Pathways
Career Clusters
Job Suite Home
CV Templates
Resume Templates
Cover Letter Templates
All Templates
Job Resources
Blog Articles
Podcast