What is a Mine Shuttle Car Operator?
Job Description & Duties Operate diesel or electric-powered shuttle car in underground mine to transport materials from working face to mine cars or conveyor.
Life As a Shuttle Operator: What Do They Do?
- Drive loaded shuttle cars to ramps and move controls to discharge loads into mine cars or onto conveyors.
- Open and close bottom doors of cars to dump contents.
- Monitor loading processes to ensure that materials are loaded according to specifications.
- Measure, weigh, or verify levels of rock, gravel, or other excavated material to prevent equipment overloads.
- Direct other workers to move stakes, place blocks, position anchors or cables, or move materials.
- Maintain records of materials moved.
Featured schools near , edit
What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Shuttle Operator?
Below is a list of the skills most Mine Shuttle Car Operators say are important on the job.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Shuttle Operator Jobs
- Cart Driver
- Buggy Runner
- Car Pincher
- Shuttle Car Operator
- Car Dumper
Is There Job Demand for Mine Shuttle Car Operators?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 1,500 jobs in the United States for Mine Shuttle Car Operator. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Mine Shuttle Car Operator. There will be an estimated 100 positions for Shuttle Operator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Shuttle Operator are Colorado, Nebraska, and West Virginia. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, Alabama, or Indiana. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Shuttle Operator Salary
The salary for Mine Shuttle Car Operators ranges between about $44,030 and $66,270 a year.

Mine Shuttle Car Operators who work in Wyoming, Pennsylvania, or Illinois, make the highest salaries.
How much do Mine Shuttle Car Operators make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Illinois | $56,730 |
Kentucky | $46,390 |
Pennsylvania | $62,820 |
West Virginia | $56,730 |
Wyoming | $92,010 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Mine Shuttle Car Operators
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Mine Shuttle Car Operators:
- Data entry software
How do I Become a Shuttle Operator?
Learn what Mine Shuttle Car Operator education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Shuttle Operator?

Where Mine Shuttle Car Operators Work

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Are you already one of the many Mine Shuttle Car Operator in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |