Mining and Geological Engineers

Mining and geological engineers design mines to safely and efficiently remove minerals such as coal and metals for use in manufacturing and utilities.

Mining engineers work mostly in mining operations in remote locations. However, some work in sand-and-gravel operations located near large cities.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited engineering program is required to become a mining or geological engineer.

Employment of mining and geological engineers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment growth for mining and geological engineers will be driven by demand for mining operations. In addition, as companies look for ways to cut costs, they are expected to contract more services with engineering firms, rather than employ engineers directly.

This occupation supported 7,900 jobs in 2012 and 8,300 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 5.1%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 12.7% in 2022 to 8,900 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 8,100, compared with an observed value of 8,300, 2.5% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 6.3% in 2024 to 8,800 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 9,100 jobs for 2024, 3.4% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation.