Roof bolters install and maintain support systems in underground mines to prevent cave-ins and keep workers safe. The work is hands-on, physically demanding, and you can enter with a high school diploma. Here is what the job involves, what skills matter most, and how to get started.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
Roof bolters work underground in mines, installing bolts and other support systems into rock ceilings and walls. You inspect equipment and structures regularly to spot problems before they become dangerous. You operate mechanized drilling equipment and control machines that drive bolts into place. You monitor the condition of support systems and surrounding materials as mining continues. You also repair and maintain the mechanical equipment you use daily. Safety is constant in this work, and you need to stay alert to changing conditions.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Roof Bolters, Mining earn a median of $78,540 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 34 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 100 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Start with a high school diploma or equivalent. Mining companies typically hire roof bolters and provide on-the-job training in equipment operation, safety procedures, and mining regulations. You will learn through hands-on work alongside experienced miners. Some employers may require or prefer prior experience in construction, equipment operation, or other mining roles. Training focuses on critical thinking, equipment monitoring, and understanding production processes. Ask potential employers about their training programs and safety certifications they require or support.
Most roof bolters enter through direct hire and on-the-job training with mining companies. If you are deciding between different mining roles or want to map out your first steps, Pathly can map the roof bolter, mining path that fits you with your school counselor or career advisor to build a plan that fits your timeline.
You are drawn to hands-on work with machines and systems. You like solving practical problems and staying focused on details. You work well in structured environments with clear safety rules.
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.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
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).