Mining and Geological Engineering - Mining and Geological Engineer Career

• Nature of Mining and Geological Engineer Work
• Mining and Geological Engineer Career Job Outlook
• Mining and Geological Engineer Salaries

Nature of Mining and Geological Engineer Work

Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers find, extract, and prepare coal, metals, and minerals for use by manufacturing industries and utilities. They design open-pit and underground mines, supervise the construction of mine shafts and tunnels in underground operations, and devise methods for transporting minerals to processing plants. Mining engineers are responsible for the safe, economical, and environmentally sound operation of mines. Some mining engineers work with geologists and metallurgical engineers to locate and appraise new ore deposits. Others develop new mining equipment or direct mineral-processing operations that separate minerals from the dirt, rock, and other materials with which they are mixed. Mining engineers frequently specialize in the mining of one mineral or metal, such as coal or gold. With increased emphasis on protecting the environment, many mining engineers work to solve problems related to land reclamation and water and air pollution. Mining safety engineers use their knowledge of mine design and practices to ensure the safety of workers and to comply with State and Federal safety regulations. They inspect walls and roof surfaces, monitor air quality, and examine mining equipment for compliance with safety practices.

Mining and Geological Engineer Career Job Outlook

Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers are expected to have 10 percent employment growth over the projections decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Following a lengthy period of decline, strong growth in demand for minerals and increased use of mining engineers in the oil and gas extraction industry is expected to create some employment growth over the 2006-16 period. Moreover, many mining engineers currently employed are approaching retirement age, a factor that should create additional job openings. Furthermore, relatively few schools offer mining engineering programs, resulting in good job opportunities for graduates. The best opportunities may require frequent travel or even living overseas for extended periods of time as mining operations around the world recruit graduates of U.S. mining engineering programs.

Mining and Geological Engineer Salaries

Earnings for engineers vary significantly by specialty, industry, and education. Variation in median earnings and in the earnings distributions for engineers in various specialties is especially significant. Table 2 shows wage-and-salary earnings distributions in May 2006 for engineers in specialties covered in this statement.

Table 2: Earnings distribution by engineering specialty, May 2006 Specialty Lowest 10% Lowest 25% Median Highest 25% Highest 10% Aerospace engineers 59,610 71,360 87,610 106,450 124,550 Agricultural engineers 42,390 53,040 66,030 80,370 96,270 Biomedical engineers 44,930 56,420 73,930 93,420 116,330 Chemical engineers 50,060 62,410 78,860 98,100 118,670 Civil engineers 44,810 54,520 68,600 86,260 104,420 Computer hardware engineers 53,910 69,500 88,470 111,030 135,260 Electrical engineers 49,120 60,640 75,930 94,050 115,240 Electronics engineers, except computer 52,050 64,440 81,050 99,630 119,900 Environmental engineers 43,180 54,150 69,940 88,480 106,230 Health and safety engineers 41,050 51,630 66,290 83,240 100,160 Industrial engineers 44,790 55,060 68,620 84,850 100,980 Marine engineers and naval architects 45,200 56,280 72,990 90,790 113,320 Materials engineers 46,120 57,850 73,990 92,210 112,140 Mechanical engineers 45,170 55,420 69,850 87,550 104,900 Mining and geological engineers 42,040 54,390 72,160 94,110 128,410 Nuclear engineers 65,220 77,920 90,220 105,710 124,510 Petroleum engineers 57,960 75,880 98,380 123,130 Over 145,600

Table 3: Average starting salary by engineering specialty and degree , 2007

Curriculum	Bachelor's	Master's	Ph.D.
Aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical	$53,408	$62,459	$73,814
Agricultural	49,764
Architectural	48,664
Bioengineering and biomedical	51,356	59,240
Chemical	59,361	68,561	73,667
Civil	48,509	48,280	62,275
Computer	56,201	60,000	92,500
Electrical/electronics and communications	55,292	66,309	75,982
Environmental/environmental health	47,960
Industrial/manufacturing	55,067	64,759	77,364
Materials	56,233
Mechanical	54,128	62,798	72,763
Mining and mineral	54,381
Nuclear	56,587	59,167
Petroleum	60,718	57,000
Footnotes: (NOTE) Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers