# Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers

> Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mining-and-geological-engineers-including-mining-safety-engineers
- SOC code: 17-2151.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $106,220 (10th percentile $67,490, 90th percentile $169,990)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +3.8%
- Openings a year: 300
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RIC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 85 |
| Investigative (I) | 76 |
| Artistic (A) | 9 |
| Social (S) | 14 |
| Enterprising (E) | 29 |
| Conventional (C) | 61 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 94/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 93/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 87/100)
- Getting Information (importance 85/100)
- Processing Information (importance 83/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 82/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 82/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 79/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 79/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 77/100)

## Skills

Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Writing, Active Listening, Mathematics, Monitoring, Systems Analysis

## Knowledge

Engineering and Technology, Mathematics, English Language, Design, Production and Processing, Administration and Management, Administrative, Physics, Economics and Accounting, Computers and Electronics

## Also called

Coal Mine Inspector, Engineer, Exploration Engineer, Field Engineer, Geological Engineer, Geophysical Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, Geotechnical Project Engineer, Metal Mine Inspector, Mine Analyst

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Civil Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1408) (CIP 1408, 326 colleges)
- Geological/Geophysical Engineering (CIP 1439, 24 colleges)
- Mining and Mineral Engineering (CIP 1421, 20 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Arizona Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-arizona-main-campus-2867) | Mining and Mineral Engineering | not reported | $120,031 | not reported |
| [Colorado School of Mines](https://www.collegesref.com/college/colorado-school-of-mines-642) | Mining and Mineral Engineering | $88,293 | $109,695 | not reported |
| [West Virginia University Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/west-virginia-university-main-campus-3219) | Mining and Mineral Engineering | $83,847 | $109,619 | not reported |
| [University of California-Berkeley CAL](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Civil Engineering | $84,461 | $108,548 | $11,634 |
| [Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cooper-union-for-the-advancement-of-science-and-art-704) | Civil Engineering | not reported | $108,466 | not reported |
| [Columbia University in the City of New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york-656) | Civil Engineering | not reported | $108,246 | not reported |
| [University of Southern California USC](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-southern-california-usc-3050) | Civil Engineering | $81,387 | $106,308 | $18,817 |
| [Santa Clara University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/santa-clara-university-2371) | Civil Engineering | not reported | $105,594 | $21,500 |

## Related careers

- [Petroleum Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/petroleum-engineers): $144,910 median pay
- [Civil Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/civil-engineers): $100,840 median pay
- [Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geological-technicians-except-hydrologic-technicians): $53,350 median pay
- [Industrial Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/industrial-engineers): $102,440 median pay
- [Geothermal Production Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geothermal-production-managers): $126,060 median pay
- [Chemical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/chemical-engineers): $125,040 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.