Energy & Utilities career

Roof Bolter

Also called: Roof Bolter Operator · Mine Roof Bolter · Bolting Machine Operator · Ground Support Miner

What roof bolters do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a roof bolter do?

Roof bolters, mining, operate self-propelled machines to install roof support bolts in underground mines. The median pay is $78,540 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Months of on-the-job training, and employment is projected to grow -18.9% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $78,540
    $37.76/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    -18.9%
    2025–35, a projected decline
  • Openings per year
    100
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    Months of on-the-job training
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    2,200
    Employment, 2025

What roof bolters do

Roof bolters keep miners safe underground. They drill holes into mine roofs, install bolts, plates and mesh to support rock, test roof conditions and follow ground control plans.

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects a steep decline as coal mining shrinks.

Typical duties

  • Drill roof holes
  • Install bolts
  • Install mesh
  • Test roof conditions
  • Follow ground control plans
  • Maintain bolters
  • Report hazards

Work environment and schedule

Roof bolters work underground in mines.

Schedule: Shifts, often 10 to 12 hours.

A day in the life

  1. Ride the mantrip in.
  2. Pre-shift exam.
  3. Bolt a new cut.
  4. Install mesh.

See a full day in the life of a roof bolter →

Roof Bolter salary

Half of roof bolters earned more than $78,540 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $63,750 for the lowest 10% to $92,830 for the top 10%.

Full roof bolter pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a roof bolter

  1. Finish high school
  2. Complete MSHA training
  3. Work as a miner
  4. Train on the bolter
  5. Advance

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a roof bolter →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Bolter operation
  • Ground control
  • Roof testing
  • Drilling
  • Equipment maintenance

People skills

  • Safety focus
  • Teamwork
  • Stamina
  • Attention to detail

All roof bolter skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Good underground pay
  • Critical safety role
  • Union jobs in some areas
  • No degree needed

Cons

  • Steep decline
  • Underground hazards
  • Dust
  • Long shifts

Certifications and licenses

  • MSHA Part 48: Required underground.
  • Underground miner certification: State.
  • Mine rescue training: Helpful.
  • First aid: Required.

Career path

  1. Miner: Entry.
  2. Roof Bolter: Bolt.
  3. Lead Bolter: Lead.
  4. Section Foreman: Supervise.

Learn the job before day one

Our Roof Bolter training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as sound a mine roof and bolt a new cut safely, safety and how to land your first job.

View Roof Bolter trainingIs this career right for me?

Mining Engineer

Design safe, efficient mines to extract minerals and metals.

  • $106,220
  • 4-year engineering degree

Compare: Roof Bolter vs. Underground Loader Operator · Roof Bolter vs. Mining Machine Operator · Roof Bolter vs. Surface Mining Equipment Operator · Roof Bolter vs. Mining Engineer

Roof Bolter FAQ

Is roof bolting dangerous?

It’s hazardous; strict rules apply.

Is the job declining?

BLS projects a steep decline.

Do I need a degree?

No.

How much does a roof bolter make?

The median annual wage for roof bolters was $78,540 ($37.76 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $63,750 and the highest 10% earned more than $92,830.

How long does it take to become a roof bolter?

Most people need about Months of on-the-job training of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a roof bolter?

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 roof bolter questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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