Career Explorer Engineering and architecture
Grows with AI
Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers
Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs.
Changing faster than most: more resilient than 34% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by +3.8% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on creative vision and ethical judgement.
AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.
- Median pay (2025)
- $106,220
- Job growth to 2035
- +3.8%
- Openings a year
- 300
- People doing it (2025)
- 6,200
- Usual route in
- Bachelor's degree
Where people already use AI for this work
- Determine operational methods or procedures
- Present research or technical information
- Select materials or equipment for operations or projects
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance
- Inspect facilities or equipment
- Design industrial systems or equipment
What the work looks like
- Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel.
- Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.
- Test air to detect toxic gases and recommend measures to remove them, such as installation of ventilation shafts.
- Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics.
- Select locations and plan underground or surface mining operations, specifying processes, labor usage, and equipment that will result in safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction of minerals and ores.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Civil engineersGrows with AI, Index 44, +6.4%
- Environmental engineersGrows with AI, Index 39, +6.3%
- Chemical engineersGrows with AI, Index 54, +4.7%
- Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectorsGrows with AI, Index 43, +5.4%
Also known as: Mine Engineer, Mining Consultant, Mining Engineer, Project Engineer, Planning Engineer, Safety Engineer, Safety Representative.
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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.