Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining
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.
Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining operate underground loading or moving machine to load or move coal, ore, or rock using shuttle or mine car or conveyors. The role reports a median annual salary of $68,860 in the US and is projected to decline by 22% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a No formal educational credential, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.47 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Troubleshooting, Equipment Maintenance, Coordination.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £38,301 a year for Mining and quarry workers and related operatives (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8132). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Plant and machine operators and assemblers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 8. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Mechanical
- Education and Training
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
- Administration and Management
What you'd actually do
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining do?
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.
How much does Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining earn?
The median annual salary for Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining in the US is $68,860.
What is the job outlook for Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining?
The role is projected to decline by 22% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 6,400 workers.
How do I become loading and moving machine operators, underground mining?
The typical entry education is a No formal educational credential. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Troubleshooting, Equipment Maintenance, Coordination, Active Listening. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining?
Our AI-durability model gives Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining a score of 0.47 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.