Roof Bolters, Mining: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Roof Bolters, Mining fall under the Construction and Extraction category in the U.S. occupational classification. Roof Bolters, Mining earn a median salary of $76,640 per year, ranking in the top 28% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -34.2% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do roof bolters, mining earn?

The median annual wage for roof bolters, mining is $76,640. That puts roof bolters, mining at #228 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is roof bolters, mining a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for roof bolters, mining is -34.2%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 2K positions in 2024 to 1K in 2034, a net change of -1K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do roof bolters, mining do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working roof bolters, mining, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Drill bolt holes into roofs at specified distances from ribs or adjacent bolts.
2. 2.Pull down loose rock that cannot be supported.
3. 3.Position bolting machines, and insert drill bits into chucks.
4. 4.Perform safety checks on equipment before operating.
5. 5.Perform tests to determine if methane gas is present.
6. 6.Force bolts into holes, using hydraulic mechanisms of self-propelled bolting machines.
7. 7.Perform ventilation tasks, such as hanging ventilation curtains and tubes.
8. 8.Dust rocks after bolting.

Top skills for roof bolters, mining

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become roof bolters, mining?

Roof Bolters, Mining typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
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• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
  $78,690 median
• Boilermakers
  $73,340 median
• Construction and Building Inspectors
  $72,120 median
• Pile Driver Operators
  $70,510 median
• Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
  $68,860 median

Common questions parents ask about roof bolters, mining