Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers in the U.S. is $106,220 ($51.07 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $106,220
- Mean annual wage
- $115,410
- Median hourly wage
- $51.07
- Employment
- 6,080
6,080 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $67,490 | $32.45 |
| 25th percentile | $85,280 | $41.00 |
| Median (50th) | $106,220 | $51.07 |
| 75th percentile | $136,590 | $65.67 |
| 90th percentile | $169,990 | $81.73 |
Highest-paying states for mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| California | $158,130 | 520 |
| Oklahoma | $131,660 | 90 |
| Utah | $125,520 | 230 |
| Alaska | $124,630 | 300 |
| Idaho | $123,680 | 110 |
| Wyoming | $119,010 | 210 |
| Florida | $117,500 | 50 |
| Indiana | $113,640 | 60 |
| Illinois | $107,690 | — |
| Nevada | $107,500 | 470 |
Lowest-paying states
- North Carolina: $70,310 median annual wage
- New York: $82,200 median annual wage
- Ohio: $86,210 median annual wage
- Pennsylvania: $87,020 median annual wage
- Minnesota: $91,610 median annual wage
About this occupation
Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs.
Typical tasks
- Select locations and plan underground or surface mining operations, specifying processes, labor usage, and equipment that will result in safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction of minerals and ores.
- Devise solutions to problems of land reclamation and water and air pollution, such as methods of storing excavated soil and returning exhausted mine sites to natural states.
- Prepare schedules, reports, and estimates of the costs involved in developing and operating mines.
- Test air to detect toxic gases and recommend measures to remove them, such as installation of ventilation shafts.
- Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics.
- Select or devise materials-handling methods and equipment to transport ore, waste materials, and mineral products efficiently and economically.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Bachelor's degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 1.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.9% |
| Some college, no degree | 5.8% |
| Associate's degree | 2.9% |
| Bachelor's degree | 59.4% |
| Master's degree | 23.3% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 3.2% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Civil Engineers$100,840
- Industrial Engineers$102,440
- Mechanical Engineers$104,110
- Electrical Engineers$120,630
- Engineers, All Other$122,930
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$99,280
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$66,150
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$130,220
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.