Construction and extraction
Roof bolters, mining
Operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.
Median pay
$78,540
Growth to 2035
−19%
declining
Openings a year
100
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Roof bolters, mining
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Roof bolters, mining: 99% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core 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.
Also called: Bolt Machine Operator · Bolt Man · Bolter · Miner · Place Change Roof Bolter · Roof Bolter · Roof Bolter Operator · Underground Miner
Outlook and AI
Roof bolters, mining held 2,200 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 1,800 by 2035 (−19%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).
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