How much does a roof bolter make?
The median roof bolter in the United States earns $76,640 per year, about $36.85 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all roof bolters earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 47-5043.
Roof bolter salary range
Pay for roof bolters spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $50,880 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $87,420. The average (mean) wage is $74,760, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,880 | $24.46 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $67,110 | $32.26 | |
| Median (50th) | $76,640 | $36.85 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $80,230 | $38.57 | |
| 90th percentile | $87,420 | $42.03 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for roof bolters, mining (SOC 47-5043), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Roof bolter salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Roof bolters earn the most in Wyoming at $113,750 a year, and the least in Kentucky at $70,620. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $113,750 | 100 |
| West Virginia | $78,970 | 1,040 |
| Virginia | $75,700 | 160 |
| Kentucky | $70,620 | 150 |
State median wages for roof bolters, mining (SOC 47-5043), 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 roof bolters
The BLS projects employment of roof bolters to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 18.9%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 2,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 1,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 100 openings a year for roof bolters. 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 roof bolter
The typical entry-level education for roof bolters is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a roof bolter earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Wyoming, $113,750) and the lowest (Kentucky, $70,620) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 2,230 people work as roof bolters in the United States. At $76,640 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Roof bolter salary FAQ
How much does a roof bolter make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a roof bolter is $36.85. The middle half of roof bolters earn between $32.26 and $38.57 per hour.
What is the highest roof bolter salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of roof bolters earn more than $87,420 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a roof bolter make a year?
The median annual salary for a roof bolter is $76,640. The average (mean) wage is $74,760, close to the median.
Is being a roof bolter a well paid job?
At $76,640 a year, a roof bolter earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 2,230 people work as roof bolters in the United States.
Which state pays roof bolters the most?
Wyoming has the highest median salary for roof bolters at $113,750 a year. West Virginia ($78,970) and Virginia ($75,700) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a roof bolter a good career?
Employment of roof bolters is projected to shrink 18.9% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a roof bolter?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for roof bolters as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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