Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Loading and moving machine operators in underground mining work in a specialized, physically demanding role with a small national workforce. With national employment at 6,000 people, this is a relatively narrow occupation, which can appeal to those who prefer a focused, technical path rather than a broad, generalized field. The national median annual salary of $68,860 indicates that workers can earn solid pay in this line of work. Career success in this occupation draws on a combination of mechanical ability, physical strength and stamina, fine motor skills, and strong attention to detail. Communication-oriented skills like speaking, listening, interpersonal ability, and leadership can also be important, alongside mathematics and science knowledge. While projected national employment growth is negative, there are still states and metro areas where opportunity scores are higher, suggesting that location choices matter. Similar occupations such as helpers–production workers, pourers and casters (metal), and various molding and sawing machine roles may be alternative options for people interested in related types of work.
This occupation offers a national median annual salary of $68,860, which provides a useful benchmark for evaluating offers and planning a career path. Within this national picture, pay varies noticeably by state and metro area. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $47,310 in Texas to $93,130 in Alaska, showing a wide spread in earning potential depending on location. Colorado and Virginia also stand out with median salaries of $79,150 and $76,900, while New York offers $60,890. At the metro level, median salaries among leading areas range from $47,910 in Baton Rouge, LA to $81,100 in Wheeling, WV-OH, with Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC at $80,480 and Beckley, WV at $74,130. These figures suggest that researching pay by region and comparing specific local markets is important for understanding potential earnings in this career.
Nationally, loading and moving machine operators in underground mining face a projected employment growth rate of -22.3%. With current national employment at 6,000 and annual openings listed as 0, the data point to a shrinking job base overall. This means that people entering or advancing in this field may encounter limited new positions, and competition for available roles could be influenced by this overall decline. The negative growth projection is consistent across the listed states and metro areas, which all show the same -22.3% rate. Because the number of annual openings is reported as 0, job seekers may want to pay careful attention to specific employers and regions where opportunity scores are still relatively higher. While the occupation can still be viable for some individuals, the overall outlook emphasizes the importance of realistic expectations and thorough local job-market research.
Location plays a significant role in the opportunity profile for this occupation. Among states, New York has the highest CareerGPS opportunity score at 65.78, with employment of 140 and a median salary of $60,890. Virginia also shows relatively strong opportunity with a score of 54.96 and employment of 190, paired with a median salary of $76,900. Colorado and Texas have smaller employment levels (70 each) but differ in pay, at $79,150 and $47,310 respectively. Alaska combines a high median salary of $93,130 with lower employment of 50 and an opportunity score of 44.30. At the metro level, Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC leads with an opportunity score of 48.55 and a median salary of $80,480, while Beckley, WV has the highest listed employment at 200 and a median salary of $74,130. These patterns show that both salary and employment levels can vary considerably by region, even where growth projections are the same.
The typical education requirement for loading and moving machine operators in underground mining is listed as no formal educational credential. This makes the role accessible to individuals who may not have traditional academic backgrounds, but it does not mean the work is simple. Success in this occupation relies heavily on a defined skill set. Mechanical skills, physical strength and stamina, and fine motor abilities are central. Being detail oriented helps with precision and safety. Science and mathematics skills contribute to understanding the technical aspects of the work. Strong speaking and listening abilities, as well as interpersonal and leadership skills, support effective collaboration and coordination on the job. Creativity and innovation are also highlighted, indicating that problem-solving and the ability to find new approaches can be valuable. For someone considering this path, developing these skills can be as important as formal schooling in preparing for the role.
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