Career Overview
Operate self-propelled mining machines that rip coal, metal and nonmetal ores, rock, stone, or sand from the mine face and load it onto conveyors, shuttle cars, or trucks in a continuous operation.
Also Known As
- Continuous Miner Operator (CMO)
- Continuous Mining Machine Operator
- Continuous Mining Operator (CMO)
- Miner Operator
Alternate Job Titles
- Bore Miner Operator
- Bulldozer Operator
- Concrete Crusher Loader Operator
- Continuous Miner
- Continuous Miner Operator (CMO)
- Continuous Mining Machine Coal Miner
- Continuous Mining Machine Company Miner
- Continuous Mining Machine Contract Miner
- Continuous Mining Machine Lode Miner
- Continuous Mining Machine Miner
- Continuous Mining Machine Operator
- Continuous Mining Operator (CMO)
- Crusher Loader Equipment Operator
- Crusher Loader Operator
- Crusher Operator
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Hang ventilation tubing and ventilation curtains to ensure that the mining face area is kept properly ventilated.
- Conduct methane gas checks to ensure breathing quality of air.
- Check the stability of roof and rib support systems before mining face areas.
- Operate mining machines to gather coal and convey it to floors or shuttle cars.
- Drive machines into position at working faces.
- Move controls to start and regulate movement of conveyors and to start and position drill cutters or torches.
- Reposition machines to make additional holes or cuts.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Reaction Time
- Problem Sensitivity
- Multilimb Coordination
- Rate Control
- Near Vision
- Depth Perception
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Selective Attention
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Attention to Detail
- Stress Tolerance
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- 15/16 wrenches
- Adjustable hand wrenches
- Belt conveyor systems
- Boom roof bolters
- Channel lock pliers
- Continuous miners
- Continuous mining machine remote controls
- Grease fittings
- Grease guns
- Hammer drills
- Hydraulic jacks
- Long handle shovels
- Measuring tapes
- Methane monitors
- Miner's helmets
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $41,450 |
| Median | $63,380 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $84,420 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 14,340
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $58,710
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $52,550
Helpers--Extraction Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $48,400
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $59,600
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $68,860
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.