Construction & Extraction
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
Also called: Coal Hauler Operator, Equipment Operator, Load Haul Dump Operator (LHD Operator), Loader Operator
US median pay
$74,500
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-15.8%
declining
Openings a year (US)
400
5,900 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Operate underground loading or moving machine to load or move coal, ore, or rock using shuttle or mine car or conveyors. Equipment may include power shovels, hoisting engines equipped with cable-drawn scraper or scoop, or machines equipped with gathering arms and conveyor.
What they do day to day
- Handle high voltage sources and hang electrical cables.
- Drive loaded shuttle cars to ramps and move controls to discharge loads into mine cars or onto conveyors.
- Pry off loose material from roofs and move it into the paths of machines, using crowbars.
- Move trailing electrical cables clear of obstructions, using rubber safety gloves.
- Control conveyors that run the entire length of shuttle cars to distribute loads as loading progresses.
- Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines.
- Examine roadway and clear obstructions from the path of travel.
- Drive machines into piles of material blasted from working faces.
- Operate levers to move conveyor booms or shovels so that mine contents such as coal, rock, and ore can be placed into cars or onto conveyors.
- Clean, fuel, service, and perform safety checks on all equipment, and repair and replace parts as necessary.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operation and Control3.4/5
- Operations Monitoring3.2/5
- Troubleshooting3.1/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.9/5
- Repairing2.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.6/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical3.3/5
- Education and Training3.0/5
- Law and Government2.8/5
- English Language2.8/5
- Production and Processing2.8/5
- Public Safety and Security2.6/5
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 diploma53%
- Less than high school40%
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.