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Mine engineer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$106,220median pay per year, or $51.07 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $67,490lowest 10% earn less
  2. $85,28025th percentile
  3. $106,220median
  4. $136,59075th percentile
  5. $169,990top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

A mine engineer, which BLS files under mining and geological engineers, had a median pay of $106,220 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+3.8%[2]
Openings per year
300[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do mine engineers make?

The median pay for mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers, was $106,220 a year, or $51.07 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $115,410 a year, or $55.49 an hour[7]. For all occupations in the US, the median was $50,980 a year[4].

The pay range is wide. Here are the annual percentiles[3]:

Percentile Annual wage Source
10th[3] $67,490
25th[3] $85,280
Median[1] $106,220
75th[3] $136,590
90th[3] $169,990

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $67,490, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $169,990[3]. In hourly terms, those two points were $32.45 and $81.73[8]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[9].

These figures cover about 6,080 wage and salary jobs[10]. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits[11].

Pay by state and city

California had the highest state median at $158,130, followed by Oklahoma at $131,660 and Utah at $125,520[12]. Among the 28 states with published data, North Carolina was last at $70,310[12].

Arizona had the most jobs at 690, then Colorado at 670 and California at 520[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs[14], Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA had the highest median at $166,770[14]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA followed at $144,230, then Salt Lake City-Murray, UT at $131,770[14]. The Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO area had the most jobs at 520, with a median of $93,100[15].

Show median pay in 28 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[12]$158,130520
Oklahoma$131,66090
Utah$125,520230
Alaska$124,630300
Idaho$123,680110
Wyoming$119,010210
Florida$117,50050
Indiana$113,64060
Illinois$107,690n/a
Nevada$107,500470
Montana$105,410110
Virginia$104,960150
Kentucky$103,300230
Alabama$102,53090
Arizona$102,130690
Texas$100,580160
Tennessee$100,390n/a
South Carolina$98,79040
West Virginia$97,960440
Michigan$97,310140
Colorado$96,820670
Oregon$96,21090
Wisconsin$95,95040
Minnesota$91,61070
Pennsylvania$87,020n/a
Ohio$86,21070
New York$82,20050
North Carolina$70,310n/a

How to become a mine engineer

Mining engineering programs may cover geology, thermodynamics and mine design and safety. Geological engineering programs may cover geology, chemistry and fluid mechanics. Both include lab and field work[19].

A license is not required at the entry level[20]. Experienced engineers may earn a Professional Engineer (PE) license. It lets them oversee other engineers, sign off on projects and serve the public directly[21]. State licensure generally calls for an accredited engineering degree, a passing score on the FE exam, several years of work experience and a passing score on the PE exam[22].

In an O*NET survey of 20 workers, 79% said a bachelor's degree was the education required, and 17% said a post-baccalaureate certificate[23].

What mine engineers do

Mine engineers run subsurface surveys of possible land or mining development sites, and they may plan safety programs[24]. Typical tasks include[25]:

OOH names analytical, detail-oriented and organizational skills as important, along with math[26][27][28][29].

Where they work

Many work at mineral mines or sand-and-gravel quarries. Some sites are remote and others are near towns. Some engineers work in offices or visit sites for engineering services firms[30]. Engineering services was the largest employer in 2025, at 28%[31].

On site, engineers follow strict safety rules, may wear protective gear and may work outdoors in any weather[32]. Most work full time. Remote sites can bring variable schedules and some weeks with extra hours[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 6,200 to 6,400 jobs, a gain of 200[2]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[34]. These counts include the self-employed, so they differ from the OEWS job count[2].

About 300 openings are projected each year on average[5]. Openings include jobs that come open when people retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 1.6% of workers leave the labor force and 3.5% move to another occupation[35].

Is it a good fit?

The pay is well above the all-occupations median, and a bachelor's degree is the typical way in[1][4][6]. No license is needed at entry, though a PE license is an option later[20][21]. The field is small, with about 6,080 wage and salary jobs, and growth is close to the all-occupations rate[10][2][34]. Some work is on site in remote places with variable schedules[30][33].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a mine engineer make an hour?
The median was $51.07 an hour and the average was $55.49 in May 2025[1][7].
What degree do you need to be a mine engineer?
A bachelor's degree in mining or geological engineering or a related field is typical[17][6].
Do mining engineers need a license?
Not at entry level[20]. Experienced engineers may earn a PE license[21].
Is mine engineering in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, with about 300 openings a year[2][5].
What is the highest paying state for mine engineers?
California, with a median of $158,130[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers in the US was $106,220 per year and $51.07 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 6,200 to 6,400 jobs (a change of +200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers: 10th percentile $67,490, 25th percentile $85,280, 75th percentile $136,590, 90th percentile $169,990. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 300 openings for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers was $115,410 per year and $55.49 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers: 10th percentile $32.45, 25th percentile $41.00, 75th percentile $65.67, 90th percentile $81.73. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 6,080 people were employed as Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers jobs: Arizona 690; Colorado 670; California 520; Nevada 470; West Virginia 440. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $166,770; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $144,230; Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $131,770; Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $114,290; Tucson, AZ $106,220; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $93,100; Beckley, WV $81,370. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers jobs: Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO 520 (median $93,100); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 250 (median $114,290); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 180 (median $144,230); Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA 160 (median $166,770); Salt Lake City-Murray, UT 160 (median $131,770); Beckley, WV 140 (median $81,370). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 17-2151.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 79%, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 17% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET description of Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of mining and geological engineers in 2025: Engineering services 28%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers: 1.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.