Roof bolters, mining salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| Mean (average) | $78,100 | $37.55 |
| 90th percentile | $92,830 | $44.63 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Roof bolters, mining pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 7 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $67,020 | $65,340 | $69,770 | 80 | 2.81 |
| Colorado | $81,270 | $79,700 | $86,380 | 40 | 1.12 |
| Illinois | $81,860 | $78,540 | $83,900 | 200 | 2.31 |
| Kentucky | $72,510 | $71,540 | $72,540 | 120 | 4.41 |
| Virginia | $78,260 | $71,390 | $99,680 | 110 | 1.84 |
| West Virginia | $79,400 | $63,820 | $90,720 | 970 | 99.77 |
| Wyoming | $116,570 | $111,970 | $116,570 | 100 | 26.23 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for roof bolters, mining
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 100. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for roof bolters, mining
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- NO MATCH CIP 99.9999
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Drill bolt holes into roofs at specified distances from ribs or adjacent bolts.
- Pull down loose rock that cannot be supported.
- Position bolting machines, and insert drill bits into chucks.
- Perform safety checks on equipment before operating.
- Perform tests to determine if methane gas is present.
- Force bolts into holes, using hydraulic mechanisms of self-propelled bolting machines.
- Perform ventilation tasks, such as hanging ventilation curtains and tubes.
- Dust rocks after bolting.
Technology skills
- Caterpillar Cat MineStar System
- Caterpillar Command
Transferable skills for career changers: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Troubleshooting, Equipment Maintenance, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving.
Common job titles: Bolt Machine Operator, Bolt Man, Bolter, Miner, Place Change Roof Bolter, Roof Bolter, Roof Bolter Operator, Underground Miner, Underground Roof Bolter.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do roof bolters, mining make?
The national median annual wage for roof bolters, mining was $78,540 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $63,750 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $92,830. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do roof bolters, mining need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is roof bolters, mining a growing career?
BLS projects employment of roof bolters, mining to change -18.9% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 100 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay roof bolters, mining the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Wyoming ($116,570), Illinois ($81,860), Colorado ($81,270). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.