Career comparison
Mining Machine Operator vs. Water Well Driller
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. $60,190), while mining machine operators usually get to work faster (1–12 months of training). Mining machine operators operate the machines that cut and move coal, ore and rock underground. Water well drillers drill wells for water, geothermal systems and soil testing.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Mining Machine Operator | Water Well Driller | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $61,810 ($29.72/hr) | $60,190 ($28.94/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $46,770 – $86,210 | $44,460 – $83,800 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.2% (about as fast as average) | +3.6% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 1,400 | 1,400 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 1–12 months | 1–3 years |
| Key credential | MSHA new miner training | State water well driller license |
| Work setting | Operators work underground in dark, dusty, noisy mines with limited space.. | Drillers work outdoors at homes, farms, construction and environmental sites, often driving between locations.. |
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
Water Well Driller
- Set up and operate drill rigs
- Drill through soil and rock
- Install casing and screens
- Install pumps and pressure tanks
- Develop and test wells
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work and physical work. 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 water well driller if…
- I like big machines
- I enjoy working outdoors
- I’m curious about geology
Still torn? Take the Mining Machine Operator fit quiz and the Water Well Driller fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, mining machine operator or water well driller?
Mining Machine Operators earn more at the median: $61,810 versus $60,190 for water well drillers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Mining Machine Operators typically train faster (1–12 months) than water well drillers (1–3 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects water well drillers to grow +3.6% from 2025–35, compared with +3.2% for mining machine operators.