15 High Paying Jobs in Coal Mining in 2023

The mining industry is a labor-intensive profession that needs long hours, remote locations, and some of the most dangerous conditions possible. The financial benefits, however, are astonishing.

Therefore, pursuing a career in the mining industry allows you to work on exciting projects that affect the global economy and production.

There are different roles to choose from in this industry, including white and blue-collar jobs to suit any level of experience or education. 

It is essential to explore your options to find out what best aligns with your experience and career goals. So, in this article, we will discuss the high paying jobs in coal mining and the benefits of working in the industry. 

What is a Career in Mining?

A career in mining and quarrying is any career related to searching, extracting, and processing solid minerals naturally occurring on the earth.

These careers also include the beneficiation process, which involves reducing extracted materials into particles before separating the particles either as materials or waste.

Furthermore, mining professionals may process the mineral particles further or prepare them for direct use.

Also, they generally operate and oversee individual mining and quarries and the ones owned by others on a contract or fee basis.

Here are some examples of minerals for extraction and process: Coal, copper, crushed rocks, Iron, limestone, ore, potash, and zinc.

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Why are Careers in Mining Important?

Mining careers are important because of the significance of minerals in the world and their overall impact on the global economy. Industries like building, chemical, construction, and utilities rely on the mining industry. 

Also, mining is important for production, such as producing everyday electronics or items in the non-metallic minerals industry, which includes cement, ceramics, glass, and lime.

You can read this: 15 Best Paying Jobs in Diversified Commercial Services in 2023

Is Coal Mining a Good Career Path?

The answer to this question is that coal mining is a good career path because it pays above-average wages and offers growth opportunities, so a coal mining job may be a perfect option for you.

Furthermore, the industry is environmentally sustainable and has one of the best safety records of any primary sector, especially in Canada.

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What are the Benefits of Working in the Coal Mining Industry?

There are many benefits when working in the coal mining industry. Some of the benefits include:

  • High compensation: Mining is one of the highest paying jobs in the market. So, salaries and payouts fluctuate depending on the natural mineral mined. 
  • Diverse industry: There are plenty of different resources to mine and many distinct opportunities.
  • Constantly evolving: This nation is always changing. The industry and how tasks are carried out are continually changing because of new computer programs, technologies, equipment, settings, other tools, and safety standards.
  • Growth and training opportunities
  • Technological Advances: The mining industry is always advancing in its technologies, so every dig is a fascinating treasure-hunting mystery.
  • Relocation opportunities: As a professional, you have plenty of opportunities to travel to different countries, work in various environments, and excavate almost any natural resource.

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High Paying Jobs in Coal Mining Industry in 2023

Here is the list of high paying jobs in the coal mining industry.

  • Underground Miner
  • Surveyors
  • Mine Supervisors/Mill Superintendents
  • Geologists
  • Mining Technician
  • Operators/Technicians/Miners
  • Mine Laborer
  • Health and Safety Professionals
  • Quarry Worker
  • Geophysicists
  • Metallurgists
  • Engineers
  • Drilling Operation Manager

#1. Underground Miner

This profession is one of the high paying jobs in coal mining. Underground mechanics utilize their knowledge of and experience with gasoline and diesel engines to support the work of underground miners. 

Furthermore, you troubleshoot and repair underground machines to help facilitate digs and excavations, ranging from small gas engines in hand tools to large diesel components of heavy machinery. In addition, underground miner earn up to #150,000 – #165,000 per year.

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#2. Surveyors

With a salary of $55,000 – #160,000 per year, surveyors are one of the high paying jobs in coal mining. They are a vital part of mining operations.

Furthermore, surveyors assist companies in measuring underground and open-cut mines, helping to maintain a proper mine plan by updating layouts and keeping records.

Read Also: 15 Best Paying Jobs in Diversified Commercial Services in 2023

#3. Mine Supervisors/Mill Superintendents

Mine supervisor is one of the high paying jobs in coal mining. These jobs offer excellent compensation.

Mining supervisors oversee mining and quarrying operations and directly supervise and coordinate the activities of miners working in underground and surface mines and quarries.

These professionals Supervise the overall day-to-day performance, coordination, management, and maintenance of the designated mine/project to obtain maximum productivity, efficiency, quality, service, and profitability for the organization upholding all aspects of compliance and standards and adhering to budget and other applicable criteria.

In addition, mine supervisors/mill superintendent’s salary range is $70,000-$168,000 per year. 

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#4. Geologists

Geologists study the earth’s composition, structure, and other physical attributes, including rocks and minerals. They use physics, mathematics, and geological knowledge to explore oil, gas, minerals, or underground water.

Geologists have a thorough, systematic approach to their work and attention to detail for things like analyzing samples and producing geological maps. They also exhibit good teamwork to communicate effectively with their colleagues.

Also, their salary ranges from $50,000-$230,00 per year, making them one of the high paying jobs in coal mining.

#5. Mining Technician

Mining technicians gather information by performing chemical and physical tests and observing mining operations. They assist in surveying, drafting, and planning solutions to engineering problems. They may also work in technical sales support.

These professionals assess the feasibility and productivity of potential mine locations and plan, manage and optimize the extraction of surface and underground deposits. 

They remain among the best paying jobs in the coal mining industry of their hard work and effort. Also, mining technician ranges from $26,500-$44,000 per year. 

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#6. Operators/Technicians/Miners

In open-cut or underground mines, miners use machinery and equipment to excavate, load, and transport ore, coal, rock, and sand. Miners frequently labor in rural and distant areas and live a fly-in, fly-out lifestyle.

The current mining business offers many fantastic employment prospects, despite the perception of some that mining is a profession from the past.

Mining workers benefit from competitive pay and benefits, travel possibilities, flexible scheduling options, outdoor work, and opportunities for career advancement.

This profession remains one of the best paying jobs in the coal mining industry as their salary ranges from $50,000 – $165,000 per year. 

#7. Mine Laborer

Mine laborers assist other mine workers in maintaining or constructing underground installations and clean underground rooms, roadways, working areas, and mining equipment and conveyances using hand tools. They also load, move, sort, and pile materials and supplies.

These professionals effectively use heavy and light equipment, depending on the job site/assignment.

Mine laborers earn up to$29,500 – $43,500 per year, making them one of the high paying jobs in coal mining.

#8. Health and Safety Professionals

Mining health and safety professionals identify hazards, assess risks, apply safety controls, provide advice on accident prevention and occupational health, and are involved in developing a safe and healthy workplace culture.

They analyze and collect data on work environments and procedures to ensure workplace safety for employees. They work in different settings, including factories, offices, schools, and warehouses.

These professionals earn $50,000 to $190,000 annually, making them one of the best paying jobs in the coal mining industry.

#9. Quarry Worker

Quarry Worker is one of the best paying jobs in the coal mining industry. They erect supports in underground workings, set and detonate explosives to loosen rocks, set up and operate drilling equipment to extract minerals (other than coal) from the ground, and operate machinery to wash, crush or separate stone and ores.

Furthermore, quarry workers use powerful machinery to dig and drill rock, sand, slate, gravel, and minerals from quarries and mines. They crush, transport, and process these aggregates for use, often on construction sites. In addition, they earn up to #35,000-#44,000 per year.

#10. Geophysicists

With a salary of $150,000-$200,000, geophysicists are one of the high paying jobs in coal mining. The study of the earth using seismic, magnetic, and electrical techniques is known as geophysics.

The best industries for geophysicists are the mining and oil industries, as they play a huge part in acquiring natural resources.

Furthermore, they involve selecting techniques, planning, acquiring, reviewing, and interpreting data. They are also responsible for controlling the quality of the seismic data collected and analyzing it to create maps of the build-up of hydrocarbons.

Geophysicists earn up to $150,000 to $200,000 per year.

#11. Metallurgists

Metallurgists study the properties of metals and then apply their findings to practical applications, such as metal production. They work with various metals, including copper, precious metals, iron, steel, zinc, and aluminum alloys.

Metallurgists focus on the extraction of various metals. They usually take a paycheck of $220,000 on average per year for their hard work. 

Considering this paycheck, they are one of the high paying jobs in coal mining.

#12. Engineers

Mining engineers assess the feasibility and productivity of potential mine locations and plan, manage and optimize the extraction of surface and underground deposits.

A Mining Engineer evaluates, plans, and oversees the construction of mines and specifies the processes, labor usage, and equipment required to extract minerals and ores from the earth. These engineers earn about $240,000 per year.

#13. Drilling Operations Manager

Drilling Operations Manager manages an organization’s daily drilling, production, and engineering operations. Also, they manage the planning and execution of drilling projects, the development of oil and gas fields, and the analysis of reserves.

The drilling operation is the first contact between the formation and the nonnative fluids and equipment. Drilling fluids play a vital role during the drilling operations by lubricating the bottom-hole assembly, cooling the drilling bit, lifting the cuttings, and forming impermeable filter cakes.

These managers make $400,000 annually, making them one of the high paying jobs in coal mining. 

Also, read this: 15 Best Paying Oil & Gas Production Jobs in 2023

FAQs

Is Mining a Good Career Path?

Yes, mining is a good career path. The modern mining industry offers many great career opportunities. Mining professionals enjoy competitive salaries and benefits, travel opportunities, non-traditional schedule opportunities, outdoor work, and opportunities for career progression.

Is a coal miner a hard job?

A coal miner is not a hard job, but the work environment of coal mining is hard work that involves harsh and sometimes hazardous conditions. Furthermore, workers in surface mines (outdoor workers) face all kinds of weather, while those underground work in cramped, dark, dusty, wet, and cold tunnels.

What is another name for a coal miner?

A coal miner is someone who works in a coal mine. They can be called a collier, pitman, miner, or mineworker.

What is the educational requirement in the coal mining industry?

There are many different educational requirements for various positions within the coal mining industry. Most jobs in coal mining will need at least a high school diploma.
Some positions, like miners and roof bolters, require on-the-job training and formal education. In contrast, other roles, such as mine managers and surveyors, will need a bachelor’s degree or higher level of education.

Conclusion

Not everyone might pursue a career in mining. It is a challenging field that presents numerous difficulties every day. The working environment is unpredictable and varies depending on the location.

But for thrill seekers who have built their livelihoods on this diverse and fascinating job, the rewards of working in this industry easily outweigh the challenges.

Also, I hope this article has given you some of the high paying jobs in coal mining and their salaries. 

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