Continuous Mining Machine Operators: 14,000 jobs, median pay $61,810

14,000

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$61,810

Median pay a year

Middle half: $51,610–$77,570

1,400

Annual openings

10-year change: +3.2%

No formal educational credential

Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 12 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

Tucson, AZMedian pay $60,880 · LCA filings 0720$60,8800

Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $63,250 · LCA filings 0710$63,2500

Salt Lake City–Murray, UTMedian pay $57,900 · LCA filings 0380$57,9000

Pittsburgh, PAMedian pay $60,780 · LCA filings 0140$60,7800

Beckley, WVMedian pay $64,270 · LCA filings 0120$64,2700

St. Louis, MO–ILMedian pay $48,120 · LCA filings 0120$48,1200

Wheeling, WV–OHMedian pay $66,300 · LCA filings 0120$66,3000

Kansas City, MO–KSMedian pay $47,950 · LCA filings 0100$47,9500

Charleston, WVMedian pay $65,280 · LCA filings 070$65,2800

Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $54,690 · LCA filings 060$54,6900

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

Duluth, MN–WIEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$86,230500

Wheeling, WV–OHEmployment 120 · LCA filings 0$66,3001200

Charleston, WVEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$65,280700

Beckley, WVEmployment 120 · LCA filings 0$64,2701200

Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZEmployment 710 · LCA filings 0$63,2507100

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

Tucson, AZLevel II $57,658 · Level III $62,130 · Level IV $66,581$53,206$57,658$62,130$66,581

Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $62,109 · Level III $66,851 · Level IV $71,573$57,387$62,109$66,851$71,573

Salt Lake City–Murray, UTLevel II $54,413 · Level III $59,530 · Level IV $64,626$49,317$54,413$59,530$64,626

Pittsburgh, PALevel II $54,704 · Level III $57,824 · Level IV $60,944$51,584$54,704$57,824$60,944

Beckley, WVLevel II $66,144 · Level III $71,490 · Level IV $76,856$60,778$66,144$71,490$76,856

St. Louis, MO–ILLevel II $45,656 · Level III $53,602 · Level IV $61,547$37,710$45,656$53,602$61,547

Wheeling, WV–OHLevel II $65,395 · Level III $69,534 · Level IV $73,674$61,256$65,395$69,534$73,674

Kansas City, MO–KSLevel II $45,552 · Level III $52,291 · Level IV $59,051$38,792$45,552$52,291$59,051

Charleston, WVLevel II $62,525 · Level III $69,493 · Level IV $76,461$55,557$62,525$69,493$76,461

Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $52,187 · Level III $55,203 · Level IV $58,240$49,150$52,187$55,203$58,240

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology