Salary guide
Roof Bolter Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What roof bolters earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median roof bolter salary in the U.S. is $78,540 per year, or $37.76 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $63,750, while the top 10% earned more than $92,830.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Roof Bolter pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $63,750 | $30.65 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $71,390 | $34.32 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $78,540 | $37.76 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $81,860 | $39.36 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $92,830 | $44.63 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $71,390 | $78,540 | $81,860 |
| Per month | $5,949 | $6,545 | $6,822 |
| Every two weeks | $2,746 | $3,021 | $3,148 |
| Per week | $1,373 | $1,510 | $1,574 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects roof bolter pay
- Plant type and employer (nuclear, utility and refinery roles often pay the most)
- Operator qualifications and licenses earned on the job
- Shift differentials, overtime and on-call pay
- Remote and rotational oilfield schedules with per diem
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a roof bolter
- Get credentialed: MSHA Part 48, Underground miner certification, Mine rescue training.
- Build specialty experience: Bolt.
- Move up: roles such as lead bolter and section foreman typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Roof Bolter pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of roof bolters to change by -18.9% from 2025–35, a projected decline compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 100 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 47-5043 (“Roof bolters, mining”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Roof Bolter salary FAQ
How much does a roof bolter make per hour?
The median hourly wage for roof bolters was $37.76 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $30.65 and the top 10% earned about $44.63 or more.
How much does a roof bolter make a month?
At the median annual wage of $78,540, that works out to about $6,545 per month before taxes, or about $3,021 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a roof bolter?
New roof bolters often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $63,750 and the 25th percentile was $71,390 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can roof bolters earn more?
Common ways include earning MSHA Part 48 and Underground miner certification, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as lead bolter.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-5043 (Roof bolters, mining).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Roof bolters, mining (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.