Occupation Profile for Continuous Mining Machine Operators | CareerOneStop

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Continuous Mining Machine Operators

Description: what do they do?

Operate self-propelled mining machines that rip coal, metal and nonmetal ores, rock, stone, or sand from the mine face and load it onto conveyors, shuttle cars, or trucks in a continuous operation.

Also known as:

Bore Miner Operator, Continuous Miner, Continuous Miner Operator (CMO), Continuous Mining Machine Operator, Continuous Mining Operator (CMO), Heavy Equipment Operator, Loader Operator, Mine Technician, Mine Utility Operator, Miner Operator

What does this information tell me?

This description is a quick overview of what workers in this career might do.

"Also known as" shows other common names for this career.

What is the source of this information?

This information comes from an O*NET database. Learn more on the Help page.

Career video

https://cdn.careeronestop.org/OccVids/OccupationVideos/47-5023.00.mp4

Transcript:

View transcript

What does this information tell me?

This career video gives more information about the career you selected.

You can view the complete video script by clicking “View Transcript” above.

This video is one of hundreds of downloadable career videos in CareerOneStop’s Video Library.

What is the source of this information?

These career videos were produced by CareerOneStop. Data and information the videos are from the Occupational Outlook Handbook and O*NET OnLine’s Occupation Information.

Outlook: will there be jobs?

What does this information tell me?

Outlook information can tell you whether a career is expected to be in demand in the future—that is, whether there are likely to be job openings if you choose this career.

Careers can have one of three outlooks:

A Bright outlook means new job opportunities are very likely in the future
An Average outlook means that a small number of new job opportunities are likely in the future (less than an 8 percent increase)
A Below Average outlook means new job opportunities are less likely in the future

You can also view local job listings in this field by clicking "Find job openings". This can help you see if local businesses are hiring—another way of looking at demand.

What is the source of this information?

This information comes from O*NET Bright Outlook occupations and My Next Move career outlook designations (based on Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-34). Note this information is only available at a national level, so even if you selected a state, you’ll see this information for the whole country.

Typical wages

NWages HWages

Annual wages for Continuous Mining Machine Operators in United States

This graph displays wage data. Find details by selecting the table view.

This chart displays wage data. Find details by selecting the table view.

Location	United States
10%	$46,770
25%	$51,610
Median	$61,810
75%	$77,570
90%	$86,210

Items to select

GRAPH

CHART

TABLE

What does this information tell me?

This chart shows you a range of how much most workers in this occupation earn per hour, in the location that you selected.

You can select from three views of this data:

The Graph shows you wages at the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles. Note that the lowest (10th %ile) wage shown is not necessarily a "starting wage." Instead it means that 10 percent of all workers in this career earn less that this amount, and 90 percent earn more. However, you can assume that you might earn close to the 10th or 25th %ile wages when you start out in most careers.
Select "Chart" to see a visual comparison between national wages and wages in the location you selected.
Select "Table" to see more wage data the national and local level.

Please note that wage data are not available at the city or ZIP code level. If you select a city or ZIP code, you will see wage data for the regional area.

You can learn more about wages for this and other occupations by clicking “See more wages” above.

What is the source of this information?

The wage information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Program, May 2025 estimates. For more detailed state wage data, please find the link to your state's wage data program in the Other Resources box.

Education and experience: to get started

People starting in this career usually have:

No formal educational credential
No work experience
1 to 12 months on-the-job training

Programs that can prepare you:

Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation

What does this information tell me?

This shows you the typical level of education, work experience, and on-the-job training that most people have when they start in this career. Note that these are not requirements for entering this field, but the information can help you understand how qualified you might be.

Interested in starting in this career? You can search for education programs in your local area by clicking “Find local training” above.

What is the source of this information?

The educational program data come from the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), 2020, from the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

The employment information comes from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, Education and training assignments by detailed occupation, 2024.

The crosswalk between education and occupation data is from the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Typical education

How much education do most people in this career have?

Chart. Percent of workers in this field by education level attained

What does this information tell me?

This chart shows you the range of education levels that people who currently work in this field have. You can use this to see if you fit in this range. Note that this includes ALL people who work in this field and not just those getting started.

Interested in getting qualified for this career? You can search for programs that lead to the education needed, in your local area, by clicking “Find local training” above.

What is the source of this information?

This information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, Educational attainment for workers 25 years and older by detailed occupation, 2022-23.

Certifications: show your skills

Let employers know you have the skills to do well at this job.

Earning a certification can help you:

Get a job
Get a promotion

What does this information tell me?

When you click "Find certifications" you'll see a list of national certifications that are related to this career. From there, you can learn how to achieve one of these certifications to help you enter or get ahead in this field.

What is the source of this information?

This collection of occupational certifications is collected and regularly updated by CareerOneStop. Learn more at Certification Finder Help.

Licenses: do you need one?

Some states require an occupational license to work in this career.

What does this information tell me?

When you click "Find license details in your state" you'll see the license name and contact information for the agency in your state that oversees licensing for this field. If you have not selected a location, you'll see a list of all state licenses for this occupation.

What is the source of this information?

Information on licensed occupations is gathered in each state by Labor Market Information units under a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. Learn more at License Finder Help.

Apprenticeships: learn on the job

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job-training with classroom lessons.

You can now search for apprenticeship opportunities throughout the United States at

www.Apprenticeship.gov.

If you’re looking for state apprenticeship offices and contact information, visit CareerOneStop’s

Apprenticeship Office Finder.

Activities: what you might do in a day

Position safety or support equipment.
Test air quality at work sites.
Inspect completed work to ensure proper installation.
Operate mining equipment.
Position construction or extraction equipment.

Determine appropriate locations for operations or installations.
Install safety or support equipment.
Monitor extraction operations.
Clean equipment or facilities.
Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
Maintain extraction or excavation equipment.
Apply new technologies to improve work processes.
Assist skilled construction or extraction personnel.
Direct construction or extraction personnel.

What does this information tell me?

This is a list of typical work activities that people in this career might do on the job. You can use this list to get an idea of whether this career might be a good fit for you.

Click on “More activities” to see more detailed examples of activities for this career.

You can also use this list to help you prepare for a job interview. Or, if you’ve already held a job like this, you can copy these activities to use on your resume.

What is the source of this information?

This information comes from O*NET OnLine's Occupation Information. They are O*NET’s Detailed Work Activities.

Knowledge

People in this career often know a lot about:

Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

What does this information tell me?

This is a list of general knowledge areas that are most commonly required for jobs in the career. Knowledge is typically gained through education and related experience.

This list can help you learn if you are prepared for a job in this career. It can also help you decide on education or training programs that could help you prepare for the career.

What is the source of this information?

This information comes from the O*NET Resource Center. Learn more about O*NET's Knowledge descriptors.

Skills

People in this career often have these skills:

Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
Operation and Control - Using equipment or systems.
Equipment Maintenance - Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.

What does this information tell me?

This is a list of a list the work-related skills most commonly required for jobs in the career.

This list can help you understand how well your current skills fit this career. It can also help you plan your education or professional development.

What is the source of this information?

This information comes from the O*NET Resource Center. Learn more about O*NET's Skills descriptors.

Abilities

People in this career often have talent in:

Control Precision - Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
Arm-Hand Steadiness - Keeping your arm or hand steady.
Reaction Time - Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
Multilimb Coordination - Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
Problem Sensitivity - Noticing when problems happen.

Near Vision - Seeing details up close.
Rate Control - Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Hearing Sensitivity - Telling the difference between sounds.
Selective Attention - Paying attention to something without being distracted.
Depth Perception - Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
Far Vision - Seeing details that are far away.
Manual Dexterity - Holding or moving items with your hands.

What does this information tell me?

This is a list of a list of personal qualities that might influence work and are most commonly required for success in this career.

This list can help you understand if your natural strengths and abilities are a good fit for this career.

What is the source of this information?

This information comes from the O*NET Resource Center. Learn more about O*NET's Abilities descriptors.

Interests

Careers have qualities that relate to people’s interests. When you choose a career that matches your interests, you're more likely to enjoy your job. And to be successful.

This career is related to these interests:

Conventional - Following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting.
Realistic - Designing, building, or repairing equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors.

What does this information tell me?

This is a list of work environment-preferences that are most commonly associated with the career. It can help you understand if your natural interests are a good fit for this career.

Click "Take an interest assessment" for a quick 30-question assessment that can help you understand your interests and see careers that might be good matches for them.

What is the source of this information?

This information comes from the O*NET Resource Center. Learn more about O*NET's Interest descriptors.

Typical tasks

Hang ventilation tubing and ventilation curtains to ensure that the mining face area is kept properly ventilated.
Conduct methane gas checks to ensure breathing quality of air.
Check the stability of roof and rib support systems before mining face areas.
Operate mining machines to gather coal and convey it to floors or shuttle cars.
Drive machines into position at working faces.

Move controls to start and regulate movement of conveyors and to start and position drill cutters or torches.
Reposition machines to make additional holes or cuts.
Determine locations, boundaries, and depths of holes or channels to be cut.
Install casings to prevent cave-ins.
Observe and listen to equipment operation to detect binding or stoppage of tools or other equipment malfunctions.
Scrape or wash conveyors, using belt scrapers or belt washers, to minimize dust production.
Move levers to raise and lower hydraulic safety bars supporting roofs above machines until other workers complete framing.
Repair, oil, and adjust machines, and change cutting teeth, using wrenches.
Apply new technologies developed to minimize the environmental impact of coal mining.
Guide and assist crews laying track and resetting supports and blocking.

What does this information tell me?

This is a list of typical tasks that people in this career might do on the job. You can use this list to get an idea of whether this career might be a good fit for you.

Click on “More tasks” to see more detailed examples for this career.

You can also use this list to help you prepare for a job interview. Or, if you’ve already held a job like this, you can copy these tasks to use on your resume.

What is the source of this information?

This information comes from O*NET OnLine's Occupation Information. They are O*NET‘s Tasks.

Related occupations

What does this information tell me?

These are additional online resources related to this career. You may find different or more detailed information at these sources.

What is the source of this information?

This information is collected and maintained by CareerOneStop.

No data found for the given occupation and location.

Information and data in the Occupation Profile come from several U.S. Department of Labor data sources. Learn more and link directly to data sources when you visit the Help page via the link below.

Occupation Profile overview video