Mining and geological engineers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Mining and geological engineers in the United States earn a median salary of $106,220 per year — about $51 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 7K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +1%.
AI & Automation Risk
Mining and geological engineering involves a significant amount of digital knowledge work, including mine design, technical reporting, and data analysis, which are highly susceptible to AI-driven productivity gains. However, the role also requires substantial physical presence for site evaluations, safety inspections, and supervising construction in remote, unpredictable environments, which provides a buffer against full automation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CABEST VALUE | $166,770 | Above avg (106.7) | $156,342 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $173,790 | Above avg (115.6) | $150,320 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $131,660 | Below avg (90.4) | $145,629 |
| Anchorage, AK | $141,080 | Above avg (105.4) | $133,827 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $117,670 | Below avg (88.3) | $133,227 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $131,770 | Average (100.9) | $130,636 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $144,230 | Above avg (113.6) | $127,001 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $125,980 | Average (100.7) | $125,096 |
| Birmingham, AL | $107,660 | Below avg (91.6) | $117,476 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $105,890 | Below avg (92.9) | $113,996 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $119,990 | Above avg (105.4) | $113,820 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $114,290 | Above avg (103.3) | $110,622 |
| Tucson, AZ | $106,220 | Below avg (96.9) | $109,623 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $91,420 | Below avg (88.8) | $102,988 |
| Reno, NV | $100,670 | Average (101.0) | $99,659 |