Construction & Extraction
Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Also called: Bore Miner Operator, Continuous Miner, Continuous Miner Operator (CMO), Continuous Mining Machine Operator
US median pay
$61,810
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3.2%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
1,400
14,000 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Observe and listen to equipment operation to detect binding or stoppage of tools or other equipment malfunctions.
- Repair, oil, and adjust machines, and change cutting teeth, using wrenches.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring3.9/5
- Operation and Control3.9/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.4/5
- Troubleshooting3.2/5
- Repairing3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical3.9/5
- Production and Processing3.7/5
- Law and Government3.4/5
- Education and Training3.2/5
- English Language2.8/5
- Administration and Management2.8/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma81%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.