Mining and geological engineers design and oversee the extraction of minerals and resources from the earth. You'll solve complex problems, make critical decisions, and work with teams on job sites. The role requires a bachelor's degree and strong technical skills.
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Mining and geological engineers plan and manage the extraction of minerals, metals, and other resources from mines and quarries. You analyze geological data, design mining operations, and ensure safety standards are met on site. Your work involves reading technical reports, communicating with supervisors and teams, processing complex information, and making decisions that affect project timelines and budgets. You'll use computers to model mining scenarios, monitor operations, and solve problems that arise during extraction. This is hands-on technical work that combines engineering principles with real-world resource management.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers earn a median of $106,220 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is modest. Employment is projected to grow 1 percent from 2024 to 2034, little or no change for all occupations, with about 400 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree in mining engineering, geological engineering, or a related engineering field. Your coursework will cover engineering and technology, mathematics, design, and production processes. The preparation is considerable, requiring strong skills in reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and mathematics. During your studies, you'll develop the ability to analyze data, communicate technical concepts, and learn new systems quickly. Many programs include internships or field experience that connect classroom learning to actual mining operations.
Most paths to this career start with a bachelor's degree in engineering. Since the preparation is substantial, Pathly can map the mining and geological engineer, including mining safety engineer path that fits you with your counselor to map out your coursework, internship opportunities, and timeline to graduation.
Many mining and geological engineer, including mining safety engineers must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to hands-on technical work that involves solving real problems with data and systems. You think practically, communicate clearly, and enjoy working with tools and processes to build or improve operations.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).