Also called: Rock Mechanics Engineer, Geotechnical Mining Engineer
Keeps mine tunnels and open-pit walls from collapsing.
You inspect rock walls for cracks, design rock bolts and mesh supports, and read sensors that warn when the ground starts to move. Your calls keep miners and equipment safe from falling rock.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in mining or geological engineering; master's helps.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering.
Growing slowly (about 1% over 10 years). Mining engineers overall.
Low risk for 10 years. Sensors, radar and AI watch for slope and roof movement; underground inspection and support design stay human.
Classes: Physics, Earth science, AP Calculus, Computer science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2151.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.