Career Explorer Construction and trades
Human edge, steady
Continuous mining machine operators
Operate self-propelled mining machines that rip coal, metal and nonmetal ores, rock, stone, or sand from the mine face and load it onto conveyors, shuttle cars, or trucks in a continuous operation.
Among the most resilient careers: more resilient than 95% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is very low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it low), and US jobs are projected to change by +3.2% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on physical dexterity and ethical judgement.
AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.
- Median pay (2025)
- $61,810
- Job growth to 2035
- +3.2%
- Openings a year
- 1,400
- People doing it (2025)
- 14,000
- Usual route in
- No formal credential, then moderate on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Determine operational methods or procedures
- Implement procedures or processes
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Operate construction or excavation equipment
- Position tools or equipment
- Test sites or materials for environmental hazards
What the work looks like
- Hang ventilation tubing and ventilation curtains to ensure that the mining face area is kept properly ventilated.
- Conduct methane gas checks to ensure breathing quality of air.
- Check the stability of roof and rib support systems before mining face areas.
- Operate mining machines to gather coal and convey it to floors or shuttle cars.
- Drive machines into position at working faces.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Solar photovoltaic installersHuman edge, growing, Index 99, +36.5%
- Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workersHuman edge, growing, Index 99, +5.3%
- Elevator and escalator installers and repairersHuman edge, growing, Index 97, +5.7%
- Tree trimmers and prunersHuman edge, growing, Index 98, +4.2%
Also known as: Continuous Miner Operator (CMO), Continuous Mining Machine Operator, Continuous Mining Operator (CMO), Miner Operator, Bore Miner Operator, Continuous Miner, Heavy Equipment Operator, Loader Operator.
Is this career on your child's list?
Build a free Career Playbook matched to your child, or get a 90-day Action Plan with dated next steps, written for your child by name.
Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.