Mining Machine Operator
Operate the machines that cut and move coal, ore and rock underground.
- $61,810
- 1–12 months
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Crushing Machine Operator
Also called: Crusher Operator · Grinding Mill Operator · Pulverizer Operator · Aggregate Plant Operator
What crushing machine operators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a crushing machine operator do?
Crushing, grinding and polishing machine setters, operators and tenders set up, operate or tend machines to crush, grind or polish materials such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food or rubber. The median pay is $48,540 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -1.7% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$48,540$23.34/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-1.7%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year2,300Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs26,600Employment, 2025
What crushing machine operators do
Crushing machine operators reduce materials to the right size. They run jaw and cone crushers, ball mills and pulverizers at quarries, mines, cement plants and food and chemical plants, monitor feed and screens, check product size and clear jams.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects little change.
Typical duties
- Run crushers and mills
- Control feed rates
- Monitor screens
- Check product size
- Clear jams
- Inspect wear parts
- Record production
Work environment and schedule
Operators work at quarries, mines and processing plants, often outdoors.
Schedule: Full time, often long seasonal shifts.
A day in the life
- Walk the plant.
- Start conveyors and crushers.
- Adjust feed rate.
- Pull a gradation sample.
See a full day in the life of a crushing machine operator →
Crushing Machine Operator salary
Half of crushing machine operators earned more than $48,540 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,520 for the lowest 10% to $69,240 for the top 10%.
Full crushing machine operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a crushing machine operator
- Finish high school
- Complete MSHA training
- Get hired
- Learn the plant
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a crushing machine operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Crusher operation
- Screen management
- Gradation testing
- Conveyor operation
- Jam clearing
People skills
- Safety focus
- Reliability
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
All crushing machine operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No degree needed
- Steady construction demand
- Heavy equipment work
- Overtime
Cons
- Dust and noise
- Weather
- Heavy hazards
- Long seasonal days
Certifications and licenses
- MSHA training: Mine safety, required at mines.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Loader certification: Helpful.
- First aid: Helpful.
Career path
- Laborer: Entry.
- Crusher Operator: Run.
- Plant Operator: Whole plant.
- Plant Foreman: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Crushing Machine Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as run a gradation test on aggregate and clear a crusher jam safely, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Heavy Equipment Operator
Operate excavators, dozers, loaders and graders to move earth and build infrastructure.
- $59,850
- Months to 4 years
Conveyor Operator
Run conveyor systems that move goods and materials.
- $42,420
- A few days to weeks
Mixing Machine Operator
Run mixers and blenders that combine chemicals, rubber, plastics and other materials.
- $48,990
- A few months on the job
Compare: Crushing Machine Operator vs. Mining Machine Operator · Crushing Machine Operator vs. Heavy Equipment Operator · Crushing Machine Operator vs. Conveyor Operator · Crushing Machine Operator vs. Mixing Machine Operator
Crushing Machine Operator FAQ
Do I need MSHA training?
Yes, at mines and quarries.
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects little change.
How much does a crushing machine operator make?
The median annual wage for crushing machine operators was $48,540 ($23.34 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,520 and the highest 10% earned more than $69,240.
How long does it take to become a crushing machine operator?
Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a crushing machine operator?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More crushing machine operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-9021 (Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.