Career Overview
Operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.
Also Known As
- Bolter
- Roof Bolter
- Roof Bolter Operator
- Underground Roof Bolter
Alternate Job Titles
- Bolt Machine Operator
- Bolt Man
- Bolter
- Bolting Inspector
- Bolting Machine Operator
- Miner
- Place Change Roof Bolter
- Roof Bolter
- Roof Bolter Operator
- Roof Bolting Coal Miner
- Truss Assembler
- Underground Bolting Machine Operator
- Underground Miner
- Underground Roof Bolter
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Drill bolt holes into roofs at specified distances from ribs or adjacent bolts.
- Pull down loose rock that cannot be supported.
- Position bolting machines, and insert drill bits into chucks.
- Perform safety checks on equipment before operating.
- Perform tests to determine if methane gas is present.
- Force bolts into holes, using hydraulic mechanisms of self-propelled bolting machines.
- Perform ventilation tasks, such as hanging ventilation curtains and tubes.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Check roof or ribs for hazardous conditions.
- Clean equipment, such as dust collectors.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Production and Processing
- Education and Training
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Operation and Control
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Extent Flexibility
- Problem Sensitivity
- Near Vision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Reaction Time
- Depth Perception
- Static Strength
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
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
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
Tools & Equipment
- Boom roof bolters
- Digital pressure gauges
- Dust and particulate respirators
- Hydraulic disconnects
- Lube guns
- Methane monitors
- Personal computers
- Pneumatic rock drilling tools
- Portable rock drills
- Remote-control continuous miners
- Roof bolters
- Roof screens
- Scaling bars
- Self-propelled bolting machines
- Shoring jacks
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $50,880 |
| Median | $76,640 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $87,420 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 2,230
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $63,380
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $59,600
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $62,700
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $61,680
Riggers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $62,060
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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.