How much does a mining and geological engineer make?
The median mining and geological engineer in the United States earns $101,020 per year, about $48.57 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all mining and geological engineers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 17-2151.
Mining and geological engineer salary range
Pay for mining and geological engineers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $62,500 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $163,740. The average (mean) wage of $108,940 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $62,500 | $30.05 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $81,040 | $38.96 | |
| Median (50th) | $101,020 | $48.57 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $129,860 | $62.44 | |
| 90th percentile | $163,740 | $78.72 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers (SOC 17-2151), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Mining and geological engineer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Mining and geological engineers earn the most in California at $142,520 a year, and the least in New York at $79,990. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $142,520 | 780 |
| Michigan | $125,600 | 80 |
| Florida | $116,430 | 50 |
| New Mexico | $114,930 | 210 |
| Wyoming | $113,870 | 150 |
| Nevada | $113,140 | 430 |
| Utah | $110,960 | 220 |
| Indiana | $110,590 | 90 |
| Alaska | $109,350 | 350 |
| South Dakota | $105,170 | 30 |
| Idaho | $104,220 | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $103,510 | N/A |
| Kentucky | $102,910 | N/A |
| Arizona | $102,780 | 680 |
| Alabama | $101,480 | 80 |
| Texas | $101,190 | 180 |
| Montana | $99,830 | 150 |
| Tennessee | $98,980 | 100 |
| Virginia | $98,690 | 130 |
| Wisconsin | $97,610 | 30 |
| Minnesota | $94,190 | 60 |
| Maryland | $93,360 | 50 |
| Ohio | $91,500 | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | $89,300 | N/A |
| Oregon | $86,140 | 200 |
| West Virginia | $84,000 | 400 |
| New York | $79,990 | N/A |
State median wages for mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers (SOC 17-2151), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for mining and geological engineers
The BLS projects employment of mining and geological engineers to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 6,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 6,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 300 openings a year for mining and geological engineers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a mining and geological engineer
The typical entry-level education for mining and geological engineers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a mining and geological engineer earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $142,520) and the lowest (New York, $79,990) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 6,770 people work as mining and geological engineers in the United States. At $101,020 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Mining and geological engineer salary FAQ
How much does a mining and geological engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a mining and geological engineer is $48.57. The middle half of mining and geological engineers earn between $38.96 and $62.44 per hour.
What is the highest mining and geological engineer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of mining and geological engineers earn more than $163,740 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a mining and geological engineer make a year?
The median annual salary for a mining and geological engineer is $101,020. The average (mean) wage of $108,940 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a mining and geological engineer a well paid job?
At $101,020 a year, a mining and geological engineer earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 6,770 people work as mining and geological engineers in the United States.
Which state pays mining and geological engineers the most?
California has the highest median salary for mining and geological engineers at $142,520 a year. Michigan ($125,600) and Florida ($116,430) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a mining and geological engineer a good career?
Employment of mining and geological engineers is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a mining and geological engineer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for mining and geological engineers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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