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Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining in West Virginia

Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining in West Virginia

Considering working as a Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining in West Virginia? Below are the key facts. 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.

What do Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining Make in West Virginia?

The loading and moving machine operators, underground mining working in West Virginia, the typical annual salary is $73,260 per year (or roughly $35.22/hour).Annual wages span from $65,230 at the 10th percentile to $76,820 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $65,230 $31.36
25th percentile $66,440 $31.94
Median (50th) $73,260 $35.22
75th percentile $75,830 $36.46
90th percentile $76,820 $36.93
Salary ranges for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining in West Virginia

The job concentration index in West Virginia compared to the national average — is 57.62, indicating that loading and moving machine operators, underground mining are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, loading and moving machine operators, underground mining earn a median of $79,224 per year ($38.09/hour), lower than the West Virginia median.

Employment Outlook

National employment for 651,977 loading and moving machine operators, underground mining in the U.S.. In West Virginia alone, about 1,610 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 170 loading and moving machine operators, underground mining.

Forecasted number of jobs for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining

Top West Virginia Metros for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining

The largest metro-area employers of loading and moving machine operators, underground mining in West Virginia.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Beckley, WV 210 $71,090
Wheeling, WV-OH 200 $77,450

Top States for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining Employment

The table below shows the states where the most loading and moving machine operators, underground mining work.

State Number Employed
West Virginia 1,610
Nevada 810
Pennsylvania 310
Kentucky 280
Ohio 270
Indiana 230
Alaska 210
Illinois 210
Virginia 170
Georgia 150
New York 130
Missouri 130
Colorado 110
Iowa 110
Oklahoma 80
Florida 60
Wyoming 50
Louisiana 50

Highest-Paying States for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining

These states pay the most for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining.

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

Skills

The most important loading and moving machine operators, underground mining skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Operation and Control  3.4 / 5
0
5
Operations Monitoring  3.2 / 5
0
5
Troubleshooting  3.1 / 5
0
5
Equipment Maintenance  3.0 / 5
0
5
Coordination  3.0 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  3.0 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Mechanical  3.3 / 5
0
5
Education and Training  3.0 / 5
0
5
Law and Government  2.8 / 5
0
5
English Language  2.8 / 5
0
5
Production and Processing  2.8 / 5
0
5
Public Safety and Security  2.6 / 5
0
5

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Control Precision  3.8 / 5
0
5
Multilimb Coordination  3.4 / 5
0
5
Reaction Time  3.4 / 5
0
5
Manual Dexterity  3.2 / 5
0
5
Arm-Hand Steadiness  3.2 / 5
0
5
Problem Sensitivity  3.2 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

  • 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.
  • Operate levers to move conveyor booms or shovels so that mine contents such as coal, rock, and ore can be placed into cars or onto conveyors.
  • Clean, fuel, service, and perform safety checks on all equipment, and repair and replace parts as necessary.
  • Clean hoppers, and clean spillage from tracks, walks, driveways, and conveyor decking.
  • Oil, lubricate, and adjust conveyors, crushers, and other equipment, using hand tools and lubricating equipment.

Work Activities

  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Controlling Machines and Processes
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Getting Information
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Handling and Moving Objects
  • Performing General Physical Activities
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  • Training and Teaching Others

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel

Related occupations to loading and moving machine operators, underground mining include:

Also Known As

Buggy Driver, Buggy Man, Buggy Operator, Buggy Runner, Car Dropper, Car Dumper, Car Pincher, Cart Driver, Coal Hauler Operator, Coke Loader, Continuous Miner Operator, Equipment Loader Operator, Equipment Operator, Front End Loader Operator, Joy Loader.

References

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