Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers in California
Thinking about a career as a Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers in California? Below are the key facts. Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs. Excludes “Petroleum Engineers” (17-2171).
What do Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers Make in California?
The mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers working in California, the median annual wage is $142,520 per year (or about $68.52/hour).Pay can range from $81,510 at the 10th percentile to $172,480 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $81,510 | $39.19 |
| 25th percentile | $103,460 | $49.74 |
| Median (50th) | $142,520 | $68.52 |
| 75th percentile | $166,490 | $80.04 |
| 90th percentile | $172,480 | $82.92 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California compared to the national average — is 0.99.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers earn a median of $138,303 per year ($66.49/hour), higher than the California median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 244,231 mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers across the United States. In California alone, approximately 780 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 150 mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers.
Top California Metros for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
The metro areas below employ the most mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 340 | $142,520 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 200 | $158,760 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 50 | $104,530 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 50 | $163,490 |
Top States for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers Employment
View the states that employ the most mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 780 |
| Colorado | 730 |
| Arizona | 680 |
| Nevada | 430 |
| Illinois | 400 |
| West Virginia | 400 |
| Alaska | 350 |
| Utah | 220 |
| New Mexico | 210 |
| Oregon | 200 |
| Texas | 180 |
| Montana | 150 |
| Wyoming | 150 |
| Virginia | 130 |
| Ohio | 110 |
| Idaho | 100 |
| Tennessee | 100 |
| Indiana | 90 |
| Michigan | 80 |
| Alabama | 80 |
Highest-Paying States for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
These states pay the most for mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $142,520 |
| Michigan | $125,600 |
| Florida | $116,430 |
| New Mexico | $114,930 |
| Wyoming | $113,870 |
| Nevada | $113,140 |
| Utah | $110,960 |
| Indiana | $110,590 |
| Alaska | $109,350 |
| South Dakota | $105,170 |
Skills
Top mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers typically:
- Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel.
- Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.
- Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics.
- Select locations and plan underground or surface mining operations, specifying processes, labor usage, and equipment that will result in safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction of minerals and ores.
- Prepare schedules, reports, and estimates of the costs involved in developing and operating mines.
- Monitor mine production rates to assess operational effectiveness.
- Supervise, train, and evaluate technicians, technologists, survey personnel, engineers, scientists or other mine personnel.
- Examine maps, deposits, drilling locations, or mines to determine the location, size, accessibility, contents, value, and potential profitability of mineral, oil, and gas deposits.
- Design, implement, and monitor the development of mines, facilities, systems, or equipment.
- Test air to detect toxic gases and recommend measures to remove them, such as installation of ventilation shafts.
- Implement and coordinate mine safety programs, including the design and maintenance of protective and rescue equipment and safety devices.
- Devise solutions to problems of land reclamation and water and air pollution, such as methods of storing excavated soil and returning exhausted mine sites to natural states.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
- Processing Information
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D In-demand technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Geoscience Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Civil Engineering
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers include:
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Construction Managers
- Chemical Engineers
- Civil Engineers
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Environmental Engineers
Also Known As
Coal Mine Inspector, Engineer, Exploration Engineer, Field Engineer, Geological Engineer, Geophysical Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, Geotechnical Project Engineer, Metal Mine Inspector, Mine Analyst, Mine Development Engineer, Mine Engineer, Mine Environmental Engineer, Mine Expert, Mine Exploration Engineer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 17-2151.00