How much does a Roof Bolters, Mining make?

The median annual wage for Roof Bolters, Mining is $78,540 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35). The lowest 10 percent earn about $63,750 and the highest 10 percent about $92,830.

What will a Roof Bolters, Mining earn in 10 years?

The Shigoto Zukan model projects $100,200 in 10 years ($86,200–$116,400) and $88,700 in 5 years.

What is the job outlook for Roof Bolters, Mining?

Employment of Roof Bolters, Mining is projected to change by −18.9% over 2025–35 (BLS), with about 100 openings per year. The Shigoto Zukan outlook score is 37/100.

Roof Bolters, Mining

Q: Will AI replace Roof Bolters, Mining?

The AI replacement risk for Roof Bolters, Mining is 14% (Very low), estimated by comparing the tasks that AI and software can take over with the tasks that are hard to automate.

United States SOC 47-5043.00 Construction Confidence ★★★★★

Also called: Bolt Machine Operator, Bolt Man, Bolter, Bolting Inspector, Bolting Machine Operator, Miner, Place Change Roof Bolter, Roof Bolter

Operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.

Median annual pay

$78,540

25th–75th pct. $71,390–$81,860

Top pay (est.)

$120,700

Top 10% $92,830

Pay in 5 years

$88,700est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$100,200est.

$86,200–$116,400

Outlook score

37/100

★★☆☆☆ Below average

AI replacement risk

14%

Very low

Job growth (10 yr)

−18.9%

100 openings / yr

What roof bolters, mining do

Operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.

Typical tasks

Drill bolt holes into roofs at specified distances from ribs or adjacent bolts.
Pull down loose rock that cannot be supported.
Position bolting machines, and insert drill bits into chucks.
Perform safety checks on equipment before operating.
Perform tests to determine if methane gas is present.
Force bolts into holes, using hydraulic mechanisms of self-propelled bolting machines.
Perform ventilation tasks, such as hanging ventilation curtains and tubes.
Dust rocks after bolting.
Install various types of bolts, including truss, glue, and resin bolts, traversing entire ceiling spans.
Drill test holes and test bolts for specified tension, using torque wrenches.
Position safety jacks to support underground mine roofs until bolts can be installed.
Rotate chucks to turn bolts and open expansion heads against rock formations.

Typical path into the job (BLS)

Education High school diploma or equivalentRelated experience NoneOn-the-job training Moderate-term on-the-job trainingO*NET Job Zone 2

Roof Bolters, Mining salary

The median annual wage for roof bolters, mining is $78,540 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $63,750 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $92,830. The mean annual wage is $78,100.

Median

$78,540

Mean

$78,100

10th percentile

$63,750

Entry level

25th percentile

$71,390

75th percentile

$81,860

90th percentile

$92,830

Top earners

Mean hourly wage

$37.00

5.1× the federal minimum ($7.25)

In Japanese yen

¥12.35M

≈ at 157.25 JPY/USD

The mean hourly wage of $37.00 is 5.1× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →

How does your pay compare with people your age?

Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).

Pay by percentile

Entry level (10th pct.)

$63,750

Early career (25th pct.)

$71,390

Mid career (median)

$78,540

Experienced (75th pct.)

$81,860

Top earners (90th pct.)

$92,830

Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.

How median, percentiles and the pay range are defined →

Projected pay for Roof Bolters, Mining (3, 5 and 10 years)est.

Today $78,540 → in 3 years $84,500 → in 5 years $88,700 → in 10 years $100,200 (10-year range $86,200–$116,400). The model assumes pay growth of +2.5% per year.

$78,540

Now
2026

$84,500

In 3 yrs
2029

$78,000–$92,000

$88,700

In 5 yrs
2031

$79,900–$98,800

$100,200

In 10 yrs
2036

$86,200–$116,400

What drives the annual growth rate

Base wage growth +3.0%Labor demand -0.8%AI impact +0.27%Total +2.5% / yr

Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →

Outlook score for Roof Bolters, Mining

37/100

★★☆☆☆

Below average · ranked #719 of all U.S. occupations

Pay level

71 pts

AI resistance

86 pts

Entry barrier

6 pts

Annual openings

4 pts

Projected growth

1 pts

Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.

Will AI replace Roof Bolters, Mining? AI replacement risk

14%

Very low

Ranked #66 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations

Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Labor demand for Roof Bolters, Mining

Employment

2,160

BLS OEWS

Projected employment

1,800

2025–35

Projected change

−18.9%

ranked #810 for growth

Annual openings

100

growth + replacement needs

Demand score

Very low

2/100

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

Work experience

None

in a related occupation

On-the-job training

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.

Skills, education and requirements for Roof Bolters, Mining

Key skills

Coordination

3.5

Operations Monitoring

3.2

Operation and Control

3.1

Monitoring

3.1

Quality Control Analysis

3.0

Troubleshooting

3.0

Time Management

3.0

Equipment Maintenance

3.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Mechanical

4.0

Production and Processing

3.8

Education and Training

3.7

Public Safety and Security

3.5

Law and Government

3.1

Engineering and Technology

2.5

English Language

2.4

Design

2.2

What the work involves

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsControlling Machines and ProcessesHandling and Moving ObjectsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesTraining and Teaching Others

Important abilities

Control PrecisionExtent FlexibilityReaction TimeMultilimb CoordinationStatic StrengthManual Dexterity

Education of workers

High school diploma

87%

Less than high school

13%

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

48%

6–12 months

23%

3–6 months

1–2 years

Related work experience

6–12 months

40%

None

39%

1–3 months

3–6 months

1–2 years

Up to 1 month

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

How to become roof bolters, mining

Typical education

High school diploma or equivalent

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

Moderate-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Career path and how to earn more as roof bolters, mining

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Construction Laborers Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites.	$47,120	67/100	8%
2	First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.	$79,920	71/100	16%
3	Electricians Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.	$63,190	78/100	7%
4	Carpenters Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors.	$60,580	67/100	9%
5	Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement.	$59,850	58/100	15%
6	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases.	$63,800	76/100	7%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.