Career comparison
Mining Machine Operator vs. Roustabout
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Mining machine operators earn more at the median ($61,810 vs. $46,960), while roustabouts usually get to work faster (1–3 months of training). Mining machine operators operate the machines that cut and move coal, ore and rock underground. Roustabouts build, maintain and repair oil and gas sites and equipment.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Mining Machine Operator | Roustabout | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $61,810 ($29.72/hr) | $46,960 ($22.58/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $46,770 – $86,210 | $36,420 – $64,530 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.2% (about as fast as average) | +3.6% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 1,400 | 4,100 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 1–12 months | 1–3 months |
| Key credential | MSHA new miner training | SafeLand USA |
| Work setting | Operators work underground in dark, dusty, noisy mines with limited space.. | Roustabouts work outdoors at well sites, tank batteries and yards, often in remote areas and harsh weather.. |
What each job does
Mining Machine Operator
- Operate continuous mining machines
- Cut coal, ore or rock at the face
- Load material onto conveyors or cars
- Follow roof control and ventilation plans
- Inspect and maintain equipment
Roustabout
- Assemble and repair oilfield equipment
- Lay and repair pipelines
- Dig and backfill trenches
- Clean tanks and equipment
- Load and unload materials
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, and teamwork. Both are part of the energy & utilities field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose mining machine operator if…
- I want good pay without a degree
- I can handle tough conditions
- I like running machines
Choose roustabout if…
- I want to start without experience
- I don’t mind hard physical work
- I like working outdoors
Still torn? Take the Mining Machine Operator fit quiz and the Roustabout fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, mining machine operator or roustabout?
Mining Machine Operators earn more at the median: $61,810 versus $46,960 for roustabouts, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Roustabouts typically train faster (1–3 months) than mining machine operators (1–12 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects roustabouts to grow +3.6% from 2025–35, compared with +3.2% for mining machine operators.