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Energy & Utilities career
Underground Mining Loader Operator
Also called: LHD Operator · Mucker · Shuttle Car Operator · Scoop Operator
What underground mining loader 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 an underground mining loader operator do?
Underground mining machine operators, including loading machine operators, operate machines that load coal, ore or rock onto shuttles or conveyors underground. The median pay is $74,500 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Weeks to months of training, and employment is projected to grow -15.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$74,500$35.82/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-15.8%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year400Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainWeeks to months of trainingTypical program length
- U.S. jobs5,900Employment, 2025
What underground mining loader operators do
Underground loader operators move material in tight tunnels. They run load-haul-dump machines, scoops and shuttle cars, load ore and coal onto conveyors and trucks, clean up and follow strict underground safety rules.
No formal education is required, and training is short. BLS projects a steep decline as coal mining shrinks.
Typical duties
- Operate loaders
- Load ore or coal
- Run shuttle cars
- Clean up spills
- Inspect equipment
- Follow ventilation rules
- Communicate underground
Work environment and schedule
Operators work underground in mines.
Schedule: Long rotating shifts.
A day in the life
- Ride in.
- Pre-op the LHD.
- Muck the heading.
- Dump at the ore pass.
See a full day in the life of an underground mining loader operator →
Underground Mining Loader Operator salary
Half of underground mining loader operators earned more than $74,500 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $52,030 for the lowest 10% to $87,730 for the top 10%.
Full underground mining loader operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an underground mining loader operator
- Complete MSHA training
- Get hired as a miner
- Train on equipment
- Operate loaders
- Advance
No formal educational credential is required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an underground mining loader operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- LHD operation
- Shuttle car operation
- Pre-op inspection
- Tight-space driving
- Radio communication
People skills
- Focus
- Safety awareness
- Teamwork
- Calm
All underground mining loader operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good pay
- No degree needed
- Big machines
- Overtime
Cons
- Steep decline
- Underground hazards
- Dust and noise
- Long shifts
Certifications and licenses
- MSHA Part 48: Required underground.
- Equipment certification: Employer.
- Mine rescue training: Helpful.
- First aid: Required.
Career path
- Miner: Entry.
- Loader Operator: Operate.
- Lead Operator: Lead.
- Shift Foreman: Supervise.
Learn the job before day one
Our Underground Mining Loader Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as muck a heading safely and drive an LHD in tight drifts, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Mining Machine Operator
Operate the machines that cut and move coal, ore and rock underground.
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Surface Mining Equipment Operator
Run giant trucks, loaders and shovels at surface mines and quarries.
- $57,430
- Months of on-the-job training
Conveyor Operator
Run conveyor systems that move goods and materials.
- $42,420
- A few days to weeks
Compare: Underground Loader Operator vs. Roof Bolter · Underground Loader Operator vs. Mining Machine Operator · Underground Loader Operator vs. Surface Mining Equipment Operator · Underground Loader Operator vs. Conveyor Operator
Underground Mining Loader Operator FAQ
Do I need experience?
No; training is provided.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects a steep decline.
Is pay good?
Underground work often pays well.
How much does an underground mining loader operator make?
The median annual wage for underground mining loader operators was $74,500 ($35.82 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $52,030 and the highest 10% earned more than $87,730.
How long does it take to become an underground mining loader operator?
Most people need about Weeks to months of training of training. No formal educational credential is required.
Do you need a degree to be an underground mining loader operator?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More underground mining loader operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-5044 (Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Loading and moving machine operators, underground 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.