Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers Salary: $101,020 Median Pay (2026 stats)
Executive Summary
About 6,770 mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers work nationally, and $101,020 is the BLS national median annual wage. Employment in the series shown fell about 21% from the first to the last year; projections imply about 6.3% annual growth.
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers: what the data shows
Common questions about mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers careers, answered from BLS OEWS and O*NET in this repository.
What is a mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers?
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers is tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics under SOC 17-2151.
U.S. employment in our OEWS extract is about 6,770 workers.
What does a mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers do?
O*NET work activities rated highest for this occupation include Working with Computers, Making Decisions and Solving Problems, Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates, Getting Information, Processing Information, Analyzing Data or Information, and related tasks. See Work Activities for the full list.
How much does a mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers make?
BLS national median annual wage: $101,020 (May 2024 in our extract).
Mean annual wage in our occupational extract: $138,731 — higher than the median, which often reflects top earners in the distribution.
Wage percentiles below are from the California OEWS extract (not national unless noted).
| Wage percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $83,725 |
| 25th percentile | $106,272 |
| Median (50th) | $146,393 |
| 75th percentile | $171,015 |
| 90th percentile | $177,168 |
What skills do you need?
O*NET ratings for this occupation emphasize skills such as Complex Problem Solving, Writing, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Judgment and Decision Making, and knowledge areas including Engineering and Technology, Mathematics, English Language, Production and Processing. See Education & Skills for detail.
Is mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers in demand?
Historical employment trend in our series implies about 6.3% annual growth (compound rate in the extract).
Five-year projected employment change: 36.0%.
Ten-year projected employment change: 84.9%.
Current U.S. headcount: 6,770.
We report federal series only—compare wages, growth, and openings against your target market.
Where do mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineerss work?
Top industries by employment share in our OEWS industry extract:
| Industry | Employment | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-industry | 6,770 | 18.9% |
| Cross-industry, Private Ownership only | 6,280 | 17.5% |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3,060 | 8.5% |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3,060 | 8.5% |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 2,680 | 7.5% |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 2,310 | 6.5% |
See Industry for charts.
What degrees lead to this career?
Common majors for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers in O*NET:
See Related degrees.
What careers are related?
Other occupations linked through shared degree pathways in our mapping:
| Occupation | U.S. employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineers | 355,410 | $99,590 |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | 13,050 | $66,430 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | 84,930 | $80,060 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | 23,220 | $109,660 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | 99,300 | $226,600 |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | 136,390 | $78,680 |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | 36,880 | $52,080 |
Employment
Employment and salary information for the Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers workforce.
Employment Over Time
6,770 U.S. workforce (OEWS)
California employment for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers grew from 1,100 in 2009 to 2,940 in 2025 (167.3%).
Historical employment for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers from the California OEWS series, 2009–2025. The U.S. workforce figure is national and is not the endpoint of this line.
Yearly Wage Ranking
$101,020 Median pay (BLS national)
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers earn $101,020 as the BLS national median annual wage.
Wage ranking compared to other occupations.
Wage Distribution
This chart shows the distribution of average salaries by income buckets for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Salary distribution for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Employment Growth Projections
6.3% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)
3,997 Projected Employment (5 years)
Projected growth: 36.0%
5,434 Projected Employment (10 years)
Projected growth: 84.9%
This occupation is projected to grow at 6.3% annually, indicating strong future demand.
Historical employment trends and future projections for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Industry
Information on the industries that employ Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers and on wages for those in the field.
Occupations by Industries
This graphic shows the share of Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers employed by various industries.
Industry distribution for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Wage Trends by Industry
16.1% Average Annual Wage Growth Rate
Total, All Industry: -5.6% growth (Current: $167,223)
Historical wage growth trends by industry for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Geographic Distribution
Employment and wage information by geographic location for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
State employment and wages are from the U.S. BLS OEWS May 2024 state extract. Metropolitan areas use the national MSA file when available.
Top States by Employment
Top States by Employment:
- CA: 780 employees, $135,060 avg wage
- CO: 730 employees, N/A avg wage
- AZ: 680 employees, $113,770 avg wage
- NV: 430 employees, $115,360 avg wage
- WV: 400 employees, $92,130 avg wage
- IL: 400 employees, N/A avg wage
- AK: 350 employees, $122,830 avg wage
- UT: 220 employees, $114,290 avg wage
- NM: 210 employees, $119,020 avg wage
- OR: 200 employees, $97,720 avg wage
Top 10 states by employment for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Top Metropolitan Areas
Top Metropolitan Areas:
- Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO: 510 employees, N/A avg wage
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN: 340 employees, N/A avg wage
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA: 340 employees, $130,090 avg wage
- Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ: 230 employees, $126,150 avg wage
- Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA: 200 employees, $146,300 avg wage
- Salt Lake City-Murray, UT: 170 employees, $115,970 avg wage
- Tucson, AZ: 150 employees, $126,780 avg wage
- Anchorage, AK: 130 employees, $134,950 avg wage
- Beckley, WV: 110 employees, $88,360 avg wage
- Billings, MT: 70 employees, $99,970 avg wage
Top 10 metropolitan statistical areas by employment for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Diversity
Demographic information on Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers in the US.
Gender and Age
The U.S. workforce for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers is about 6,770 people in our OEWS extract.
Gender and age distribution for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Races
Racial and ethnic shares when present in the career dataset. If the chart area shows a notice instead, occupational race/ethnicity fields are not yet populated for this extract.
Race and ethnicity distribution for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Education & Skills
Data on higher education choices and required skills for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Majors
The most common majors achieved by Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers in 2023 were Business Administration, Engineering, Mathematics.
Common majors for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Education Levels
The main educational levels achieved by Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers workers.
Education level distribution for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Skills
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers need many skills, but most especially Complex Problem Solving, Writing, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Reading Comprehension.
Required skills for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Knowledge & Abilities
Knowledge areas and abilities required for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Knowledge Areas
The most important knowledge areas for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers include Engineering and Technology, Mathematics, English Language, Production and Processing, Design.
Knowledge areas required for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Abilities
Key abilities needed for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers include Written Expression, Inductive Reasoning, Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression, Problem Sensitivity.
Required abilities for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Work Activities
Common work activities performed by Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
Daily Activities
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers spend their time on activities such as Working with Computers, Making Decisions and Solving Problems, Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates, Getting Information, Processing Information.
Most important work activities for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers.
About
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers earn $101,020 as the BLS national median annual wage.
SOC Code
17-2151 - Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Insights and Analysis
High earnings profile: Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers reports an average salary of $138,731, placing it among stronger-paying occupations.
Labor market presence: The current workforce is approximately 6,770 workers, indicating sustained demand.
Forward outlook: Projected annual growth is 6.3%, which should inform long-term career planning.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS), and O*NET Online.
All wage figures represent annual averages and may vary by location, industry, and experience level.