Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining: Job Description
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.
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What Tasks Do Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining Perform?
Typical responsibilities of loading and moving machine operators, underground mining span:
- Handle high voltage sources and hang electrical cables.
- Drive loaded shuttle cars to ramps and move controls to discharge loads into mine cars or onto conveyors.
- Pry off loose material from roofs and move it into the paths of machines, using crowbars.
- Move trailing electrical cables clear of obstructions, using rubber safety gloves.
- Control conveyors that run the entire length of shuttle cars to distribute loads as loading progresses.
- Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines.
- Examine roadway and clear obstructions from the path of travel.
- Drive machines into piles of material blasted from working faces.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Effective loading and moving machine operators, underground mining combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The abilities most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Types of Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining Jobs
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- Buggy Driver
- Buggy Man
- Buggy Operator
- Buggy Runner
- Car Dropper
- Car Dumper
- Car Pincher
- Cart Driver
Employment and Demand
The U.S. employs around 651,977 loading and moving machine operators, underground mining working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +12.5% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $79,224 |
| Hourly median | $38.09 |
| 10th percentile | $51,486 |
| 25th percentile | $65,355 |
| 75th percentile | $93,093 |
| 90th percentile | $106,962 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $104,010 |
| Alaska | $89,830 |
| Nevada | $80,840 |
| Virginia | $77,440 |
| Illinois | $75,820 |
| Colorado | $74,420 |
| West Virginia | $73,260 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,780 |
| Kentucky | $67,510 |
| Ohio | $65,920 |
| Alabama | $58,730 |
| New York | $56,960 |
| Indiana | $52,150 |
| Georgia | $51,690 |
| Missouri | $50,860 |
| Florida | $47,030 |
| Iowa | $45,420 |
| Oklahoma | $43,490 |
| Louisiana | $38,460 |
Where Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining Earn the Most
Pay for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining differ across the country. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountains | $83,666 | 3.2% | 2.10 |
| Far Western US | $82,690 | 20.5% | 13.95 |
| Southeast | $70,049 | 46.7% | 40.56 |
| Middle Atlantic | $65,287 | 8.9% | 1.03 |
| Great Lakes | $64,387 | 14.3% | 1.31 |
| Plains States | $48,366 | 4.8% | 1.43 |
| Southwest | $43,490 | 1.6% | 1.17 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeling, WV-OH | WV | $77,450 | 200 |
| Beckley, WV | WV | $71,090 | 210 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | AL | $58,020 | 140 |
Industry Breakdown
Most loading and moving machine operators, underground mining are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 5,650 | $70,800 |
| Construction | 150 | $47,760 |
| Manufacturing | 100 | $46,840 |
Below are examples of industries where loading and moving machine operators, underground mining work:
Tools and Technology
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Operating system software: Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
Daily working conditions for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
Getting Started in This Career
Typical loading and moving machine operators, underground mining positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Logging Equipment Operators (Supplemental)
- Pile Driver Operators (Primary-Long)
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (Primary-Long)
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators (Supplemental)
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining (Primary-Short)
- Continuous Mining Machine Operators (Primary-Short)
- Helpers–Extraction Workers (Supplemental)
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists (Supplemental)
Sources
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 47-5044.00 (Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining).
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