A mining engineer oversees a mining site.
Mining engineers look for different materials, such as coal, minerals and metals. These highly trained employees use sophisticated technology, such as satellite photography, to find new deposits. Mining engineers also design mining machinery and mines to safely bring these minerals to the surface. Engineers are present to supervise the construction of mines and inspect them to assure their safety.
National Salary
The mean hourly wage for mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers, was $39.46, and the mean annual wage, or average salary, was $82,080, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Median annual wages for mining and geological engineers ranged from approximately $48,400 to $119,300. The lowest 10 percent of employees earned less than $48,400, and the top 10 percent of employees earned more than $119,300.
Starting Salary
PayScale lists the starting salary of mining engineers. In October 2010, mining engineers with less than one year of experience earned between $58,299 and $65,373.
High Employment
The architectural, engineering and related services industry employed the largest number of mining and geological engineers with an average salary of $77,210, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Other industries that employed large numbers were: coal mining, $76,580; metal ore mining, $78,780; oil and gas extraction, $97,140; and the state government, $83,120.
Top-Paying Industries
The oil and gas extraction industry paid the highest average salary above all other industries to mining and geological engineers, with $97,140, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Other industries that offered high pay were: management of companies and enterprises, $91,890; the Federal Executive Branch, $87,340; management, scientific and technical consulting services, $86,550; and support activities for mining, $84,410.
Top-Paying States
California paid the highest average salary above all other states to mining and geological engineers, with $97,760, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Other states that offered high pay were: Texas, $96,130; Alaska, $95,200; Colorado, $92,190; and Alabama, $92,010.
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