Mining safety engineers: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Mining safety engineers use best practices and their knowledge of mine design to ensure workers safety and to maintain compliance with state and federal safety regulations. They inspect the walls and roofs of mines, monitor the air quality, and examine mining equipment for possible hazards.
Engineers who hold a masters or a doctoral degree may teach engineering at colleges and universities. For more information, see the profile on postsecondary teachers.
- Education Required
- High school students interested in entering mining or geological engineering programs in college should take courses in mathematics and science.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 7% (As fast as average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Advancement
- New mining and geological engineers usually work under the supervision of experienced engineers. In large companies, new engineers also may receive formal classroom or seminar-type training. As engineers gain knowledge and experience, they are assigned more difficult projects and they are given greater independence to develop designs, solve problems, and make decisions.
- Licenses/Certifications
- Licensure is not required for entry-level positions as a mining or geological engineer. A Professional Engineering (PE) license, which allows for higher levels of leadership and independence, can be acquired later in ones career. Licensed engineers are called professional engineers (PEs). A PE can oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public. State licensure generally requires
- Median pay: How much do Mining and Geological Engineers make?
- $93,720 Annual Salary
- $45.06 per hour
Careers for Mining and Geological Engineers
- Geological engineers
- Geophysical engineers
- Mineral engineers
- Mining engineers
- Seismic engineers