Environmental Engineer
Median wage · national
$107,110
Range: $84K – $134K
Employed
38K
Openings/yr
3K
Typically: bachelor's degree
STEM
Mining & Geological Engineer
Mining & Geological Engineer earn $106,220 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $85,280 and $136,590. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Mining & Geological Engineer
Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs.
- Median Wage
- $106,220
- Employed Nationally
- 6K
- Openings / Year
- 400
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Coal Mine Inspector
Engineer
Exploration Engineer
Field Engineer
Geological Engineer
How Much Do Mining & Geological Engineers Make?
Mining & Geological Engineer earn $106,220 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $85,280 and $136,590. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$106,220
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$85K–$137K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$85,280
Entry-level
$106,220
Median
$136,590
Experienced
What Do Mining & Geological Engineers Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Mining & Geological Engineer roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel.
- Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.
- Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics.
- Select locations and plan underground or surface mining operations, specifying processes, labor usage, and equipment that will result in safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction of minerals and ores.
- Prepare schedules, reports, and estimates of the costs involved in developing and operating mines.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Complex Problem Solving
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Who Thrives Here
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Mining & Geological Engineers Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Mining & Geological Engineers?
The BLS projects +0.7% employment change for Mining & Geological Engineer through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 400 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +0.7%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Slower than average.
400
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
6K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Mining & Geological Engineer professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $106,220 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 780 | $142,520 | +34.2% |
| 2 | Colorado | 730 | — | — |
| 3 | Arizona | 680 | $102,780 | -3.2% |
| 4 | Nevada | 430 | $113,140 | +6.5% |
| 5 | Illinois | 400 | — | — |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Mining & Geological Engineer positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 3 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Civil Engineering | 20,728 | $86,517 | 326 |
| 2 | Geological Engineering | 315 | $77,880 | 23 |
| 3 | Mining Engineering | 300 | $101,390 | 19 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Mining & Geological Engineers
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT | 96 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 5 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 6 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Mining & Geological Engineer, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Mining & Geological Engineer pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Mining & Geological Engineer Pros & Cons
The data on Mining & Geological Engineer shows 2 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $106,220 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $136,590 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- Slow job growth At +0.7% projected growth, this career lags the national average. Limited expansion means stiffer competition for openings that do appear.
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $106,220 median while building the experience employers require.
Mining & Geological Engineer Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Mining & Geological Engineer professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Mining & Geological Engineer is $106,220, well into the top quartile of US wages. The middle 50% of earners fall between $85,280 and $136,590. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Mining & Geological Engineer a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $106,220 median, though slow job growth means most openings come from workers leaving the field rather than new positions being created. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How long does it take to become a Mining & Geological Engineer?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Civil Engineering are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $106,220 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Mining & Geological Engineer?
The BLS projects +0.7% employment change for Mining & Geological Engineer through 2034, slower than average compared to all occupations. About 400 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 6K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
Why do Mining & Geological Engineer salaries vary so widely?
The $51,310 gap between the 25th ($85,280) and 75th ($136,590) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
What skills do Mining & Geological Engineer professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Mining & Geological Engineer roles: Complex Problem Solving, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Speaking, and Critical Thinking. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
Colleges
Discover 3,811 verified US colleges and universities. Compare admissions, costs, outcomes, and earnings across every accredited institution nationwide.
Majors
Explore 38 fields of study spanning STEM, health, business, and the humanities. See earnings, top programs, and demand.
Programs
Browse 375 specific degree programs. See completion counts, earnings outcomes, and the colleges awarding the most graduates each year.
Careers
Look up 395 BLS occupations. Get median wages, growth projections, education requirements, and the majors leading to each career.