Life As an Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator
Example of Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator Job Operate underground loading machine to load coal, ore, or rock into shuttle or mine car or onto conveyors. Loading equipment may include power shovels, hoisting engines equipped with cable-drawn scraper or scoop, or machines equipped with gathering arms and conveyor.
What Do Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators Do On a Daily Basis?
- Notify switching departments to deliver specific types of cars.
- Replace hydraulic hoses, headlight bulbs, and gathering-arm teeth.
- Drive machines into piles of material blasted from working faces.
- Advance machines to gather material and convey it into cars.
- Observe and record car numbers, carriers, customers, tonnages, and grades and conditions of material.
- Oil, lubricate, and adjust conveyors, crushers, and other equipment, using hand tools and lubricating equipment.
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Qualities of an Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator
Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Types of Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator
- Mucking Machine Operator
- Muck Operator
- Miner
- Skid Loader Operator
- Yard Loader Operator
Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 2,600 jobs in the United States for Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator. The BLS estimates 300 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator are Idaho, Missouri, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Illinois, Alabama, or West Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators Salary
Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators make between $32,920 and $69,890 a year.

Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators who work in Pennsylvania, Colorado, or West Virginia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $44,080 |
Colorado | $59,440 |
Iowa | $38,480 |
Kentucky | $40,250 |
Ohio | $41,540 |
Pennsylvania | $60,020 |
Texas | $39,550 |
Vermont | $38,830 |
West Virginia | $56,620 |
What Tools do Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Windows
- Maintenance management software
How do I Become an Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator?
Are there Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become an Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator?

Where do Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators Work?

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

Related Careers
Are you already one of the many Underground Mining Loading Machine 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.
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