How to become a loading and moving machine operator, underground mining
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.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
What loading and moving machine operators, underground mining do
- Move trailing electrical cables clear of obstructions, using rubber safety gloves.
- Clean hoppers, and clean spillage from tracks, walks, driveways, and conveyor decking.
- Pry off loose material from roofs and move it into the paths of machines, using crowbars.
- Drive machines into piles of material blasted from working faces.
- Oil, lubricate, and adjust conveyors, crushers, and other equipment, using hand tools and lubricating equipment.
- Replace hydraulic hoses, headlight bulbs, and gathering-arm teeth.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Writing
Is loading and moving machine operator, underground mining a good career?
On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 46% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Wyoming $112,110
- Alaska $93,130
- Nevada $82,920
- South Carolina $80,480
- Colorado $79,150
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.