Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining: 5,930 jobs, median pay $74,500

5,930

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$74,500

Median pay a year

Middle half: $61,410–$79,150

400

Annual openings

10-year change: −15.8%

No formal educational credential

Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

5 of 5 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

Beckley, WVMedian pay $74,130 · LCA filings 0200$74,1300

Wheeling, WV–OHMedian pay $81,100 · LCA filings 0140$81,1000

Tuscaloosa, ALMedian pay $57,730 · LCA filings 0120$57,7300

Baton Rouge, LAMedian pay $47,910 · LCA filings 040$47,9100

Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCMedian pay $80,480 · LCA filings 030$80,4800

Metro areas with the highest median pay

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

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

Wheeling, WV–OHEmployment 140 · LCA filings 0$81,1001400

Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCEmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$80,480300

Beckley, WVEmployment 200 · LCA filings 0$74,1302000

Tuscaloosa, ALEmployment 120 · LCA filings 0$57,7301200

Baton Rouge, LAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$47,910400

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

Beckley, WVLevel II $68,578 · Level III $72,550 · Level IV $76,523$64,605$68,578$72,550$76,523

Wheeling, WV–OHLevel II $70,512 · Level III $75,962 · Level IV $81,411$65,062$70,512$75,962$81,411

Tuscaloosa, ALLevel II $54,350 · Level III $56,701 · Level IV $59,030$52,021$54,350$56,701$59,030

Baton Rouge, LALevel II $43,014 · Level III $48,318 · Level IV $53,643$37,690$43,014$48,318$53,643

Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCLevel II $55,224 · Level III $64,043 · Level IV $72,862$46,405$55,224$64,043$72,862

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

See Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining in every metro area

All 5 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobs Jobs abroad Companies

Related occupations · Construction & Extraction

Construction Laborers Electricians First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers Carpenters Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Painters, Construction and Maintenance Construction and Building Inspectors

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