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Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining Salary in IA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining in IA have a median annual salary of $48,490, with 100 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $46,560 at the 10th percentile to $59,260 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$48,490

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$23.31

Employment

100

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$46,560
10th
$46,830
25th
$48,490
Median
$59,070
75th
$59,260
90th

Local compared with national

IA

$48,490

Median annual · 2025

United States

$74,500

Median annual · 2025

The IA median is 34.9% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $26,010).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operation and ControlImportance 3.4
  2. 2.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.3
  3. 3.TroubleshootingImportance 3.1
  4. 4.Active ListeningImportance 3.0
  5. 5.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  6. 6.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  7. 7.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Equipment MaintenanceImportance 3.0
  9. 9.Reading ComprehensionImportance 2.9
  10. 10.MonitoringImportance 2.9
  11. 11.Social PerceptivenessImportance 2.9
  12. 12.RepairingImportance 2.8

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Automated systems software
  • Inventory management systems
  • Maintenance management software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Mine maintenance software
  • Work time accounting software

Common tasks

  • Handle high voltage sources and hang electrical cables.
  • Drive loaded shuttle cars to ramps and move controls to discharge loads into mine cars or onto conveyors.
  • Pry off loose material from roofs and move it into the paths of machines, using crowbars.
  • Move trailing electrical cables clear of obstructions, using rubber safety gloves.
  • Control conveyors that run the entire length of shuttle cars to distribute loads as loading progresses.
  • Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines.
  • Examine roadway and clear obstructions from the path of travel.
  • Drive machines into piles of material blasted from working faces.
  • Operate levers to move conveyor booms or shovels so that mine contents such as coal, rock, and ore can be placed into cars or onto conveyors.
  • Clean, fuel, service, and perform safety checks on all equipment, and repair and replace parts as necessary.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining salary in other locations

Other occupations in IA