Skills it runs on
The capabilities O*NET rates most important for this occupation — the human ground the work is built on.
See all skills →Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Occupation · SOC 17-2151.00
Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs.
Also called: Mine Engineer · Mining Consultant · Mining Engineer · Project Engineer · Planning Engineer · Safety Engineer · Safety Representative · Coal Mine Inspector · Engineer · Exploration Engineer · Field Engineer · Geological Engineer
Job family: Architecture and Engineering Occupations
Take this to your AI
A source-stamped Markdown brief of this occupation — paste it into an agent, or fetch
/roles/role-17-2151-00/context.md directly.
AI work map
A fast read on where AI already shows up in this occupation, where it stays a copilot, where humans remain in the loop, and what the labor market is doing. Built from observed Claude.ai conversations mapped to O*NET tasks and from published research — measures of usage and exposure, not advice or predictions that the job is going away.
Market signal
Independent published positions, read together — not a forecast.
- About average employment outlook (+0.7% by 2034)
- 400 openings/yr
- High AI exposure
- Median pay $101,020/yr
- Work is mostly on-site (not teleworkable)
- A reversal from 2013 — rated low automation risk then (31st), high AI task-overlap now (81st)
81st-percentile task overlap — yet about 400 openings a year (+0.7% projected, BLS) . What exposure means →
AI & job outlook
What today's research says about this occupation's exposure to AI, how AI is actually being used in it, and where employment is headed. These are positions within published studies — measures of exposure and usage, not predictions that this job will disappear.
Exposure to current AI
Each study uses its own scale, so the raw scores are not comparable across rows — the percentile (this job's rank among all U.S. occupations with data) is the comparable figure, and sizes the bars.
| Measure | Rank vs all occupations | Percentile | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) High | 91st | 1.3 | |
| LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) High | 72nd | 0.9 | |
| AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) High | 75th | 0.2 |
OpenAI's exposure study scores tasks three ways: with a language model alone (α 0.1), with simple added tooling (β 0.5), and including AI-powered software (γ 0.9). Higher means more of the job's tasks could be done at least twice as fast — not that they will be automated away.
This job mostly cannot be done remotely (Dingel–Neiman) — its hands-on tasks sit outside what software-based AI reaches.
Historical automation estimate (2013)
A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
Frey–Osborne probability 0.1 · 31st percentile among occupations · Low
Job outlook
Independent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projection for 2024–2034 — a labor-market forecast, not an AI-impact forecast.
| Outlook | About average · +0.7% by 2034 |
| Projected annual openings | 400 |
| Employment 2024 → 2034 | 7,000 → 7,000 |
“Annual openings” counts new jobs plus replacements for workers who leave the occupation, so it can be large even when growth is modest.
Where this work sits on the global GenAI gradient
The ILO's 2025 global study scores generative-AI exposure on the international ISCO-08 occupation system, not US SOC. Bridged through the published (and approximate, many-to-many) IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 crosswalk, this US occupation corresponds to the international occupation below. Exposure here means how much of the work's tasks today's AI can attempt — task overlap, not automation, adoption, or jobs lost.
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers sits at the 55th percentile of 427
occupations on the global GenAI task-exposure gradient
— exposure rose from 2023 to 2025. Each dot is one occupation; the
ringed one is this work. Exposure is task overlap, not automation or jobs lost.
29% mean task exposure (2025)
55th percentile of 427 placed occupations
+2 pts shift 2023 → 2025
| International occupation (ISCO-08) | Task exposure (2025) | Most tasks fall in |
|---|---|---|
| Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Related Professionals · 2146 | 29% | Not exposed |
Read the whole six-band gradient on the GenAI exposure gradient page. The crosswalk is approximate: a US occupation can map to several international ones, and the ILO scores describe the international occupation, not this exact US role.
Tasks
All 18 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, ordered by importance. Each links to its own page with AI-exposure and observed-use detail.
- Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel. Core · importance 4.4
- Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions. Core · importance 4.1
- Test air to detect toxic gases and recommend measures to remove them, such as installation of ventilation shafts. Supplemental · importance 4.1
- Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics. Core · importance 4.0
- Select locations and plan underground or surface mining operations, specifying processes, labor usage, and equipment that will result in safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction of minerals and ores. Core · importance 4.0
- Implement and coordinate mine safety programs, including the design and maintenance of protective and rescue equipment and safety devices. Supplemental · importance 3.9
- Devise solutions to problems of land reclamation and water and air pollution, such as methods of storing excavated soil and returning exhausted mine sites to natural states. Supplemental · importance 3.8
- Prepare schedules, reports, and estimates of the costs involved in developing and operating mines. Core · importance 3.8
- Lay out, direct, and supervise mine construction operations, such as the construction of shafts and tunnels. Supplemental · importance 3.8
- Monitor mine production rates to assess operational effectiveness. Core · importance 3.8
- Supervise, train, and evaluate technicians, technologists, survey personnel, engineers, scientists or other mine personnel. Core · importance 3.8
- Examine maps, deposits, drilling locations, or mines to determine the location, size, accessibility, contents, value, and potential profitability of mineral, oil, and gas deposits. Core · importance 3.7
- Design, develop, and implement computer applications for use in mining operations such as mine design, modeling, or mapping or for monitoring mine conditions. Supplemental · importance 3.7
- Design, implement, and monitor the development of mines, facilities, systems, or equipment. Core · importance 3.7
- Select or devise materials-handling methods and equipment to transport ore, waste materials, and mineral products efficiently and economically. Supplemental · importance 3.6
- Evaluate data to develop new mining products, equipment, or processes. Supplemental · importance 3.4
- Design mining and mineral treatment equipment and machinery in collaboration with other engineering specialists. Supplemental · importance 3.0
- Conduct or direct mining experiments to test or prove research findings. Supplemental · importance 2.9
Emerging tasks
Newer responsibilities O*NET has flagged as growing for this occupation.
- Use drone technology for aerial surveys and inspections of mining sites to enhance safety and efficiency.
Work activities
- Train personnel on proper operational procedures.
- Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
- Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.
- Determine operational methods.
- Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
- Prepare detailed work plans.
- Review technical documents to plan work.
- Estimate operational costs.
- Schedule operational activities.
- Prepare operational reports.
- Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.
- Design structures or facilities.
- Design industrial equipment.
- Prepare technical reports for internal use.
- Coordinate safety or regulatory compliance activities.
- Investigate safety of work environment.
- Advise others on health and safety issues.
- Develop software or computer applications.
- Develop technical methods or processes.
- Resolve operational performance problems.
- Direct construction activities.
- Analyze design or requirements information for mechanical equipment or systems.
- Research industrial processes or operations.
- Research topics in area of expertise.
- Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work.
Knowledge, skills & abilities
O*NET importance rating, from 1 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).
Knowledge
| Engineering and Technology | 4.5 | |
| Mathematics | 4.4 | |
| English Language | 3.6 | |
| Production and Processing | 3.6 | |
| Design | 3.6 | |
| Administration and Management | 3.4 |
Transferable skills
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.1 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.0 | |
| Systems Analysis | 3.8 | |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.8 | |
| Coordination | 3.5 | |
| Time Management | 3.4 |
Essential skills
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 | |
| Writing | 4.0 | |
| Speaking | 4.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 | |
| Active Listening | 3.9 | |
| Mathematics | 3.8 | |
| Monitoring | 3.8 | |
| Science | 3.5 | |
| Active Learning | 3.5 |
Abilities
| Oral Comprehension | 4.0 | |
| Written Comprehension | 4.0 | |
| Oral Expression | 4.0 | |
| Written Expression | 4.0 | |
| Problem Sensitivity | 4.0 | |
| Deductive Reasoning | 4.0 | |
| Inductive Reasoning | 4.0 | |
| Information Ordering | 4.0 | |
| Category Flexibility | 4.0 | |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 3.9 | |
| Speech Recognition | 3.9 | |
| Speech Clarity | 3.9 | |
| Fluency of Ideas | 3.8 | |
| Near Vision | 3.8 | |
| Flexibility of Closure | 3.6 | |
| Originality | 3.5 | |
| Number Facility | 3.4 | |
| Visualization | 3.4 | |
| Selective Attention | 3.4 |
Skills in demand
Skills employers ask for in job postings for this occupation (Lightcast), with whether each is a common or specialized skill.
Showing the top 40 of 45.
Tools & technology
Showing the top 40 of 45.
Work context
How characteristic each condition is of the job, on O*NET's 1–5 context scale (higher = more present in day-to-day work). Each condition links to how it varies across all occupations.
How to get in
- Job zone
- Zone 4 — Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Typical entry-level education
- Bachelor's degree · BLS, the typical path — not a requirement
- Related experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Preparation level
- SVP (7.0 to < 8.0) — total schooling plus on-the-job experience.
What to study: Engineering . Fields of study crosswalked to this occupation (NCES CIP–SOC), not a requirement.
Education of current workers
Share of people in this occupation at each level of education.
| Bachelor's Degree | 79.0% | |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 16.7% | |
| Master's Degree | 3.0% | |
| Some College Courses | 0.6% | |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 0.6% |
Interests & work styles
The interests and personal qualities O*NET associates with people who do this work.
Work styles
| Dependability | 7.0 | |
| Attention to Detail | 6.0 | |
| Integrity | 5.0 | |
| Cautiousness | 4.0 | |
| Intellectual Curiosity | 3.0 |
Career interests (Holland / RIASEC)
| Realistic | 6.1 | |
| Investigative | 5.6 | |
| Conventional | 4.6 | |
| Enterprising | 2.8 |
Interest areas
| Engineering | 6.0 | |
| Physical Science | 5.1 | |
| Mathematics/Statistics | 3.9 | |
| Management/Administration | 3.3 | |
| Mechanics/Electronics | 3.1 | |
| Nature/Outdoors | 2.6 | |
| Information Technology | 2.5 |
Wages & employment
U.S. · annual wages (BLS OEWS)
| 10th percentile | $62,500 |
| 25th percentile | $81,040 |
| Median (50th) | $101,020 |
| 75th percentile | $129,860 |
| 90th percentile | $163,740 |
| People employed | 6,770 |
Industries that employ this occupation
Where these workers are employed, by number of jobs (national, BLS OEWS). Pay shown is the occupation's national median, not industry-specific.
| Industry | Workers | National median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services · Sector | 3,060 | $93,340 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction · Sector | 2,680 | $101,260 |
| Engineering Services · National industry | 2,170 | $96,460 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises · Sector | 370 | $127,990 |
| Testing Laboratories and Services · National industry | 90 | $80,980 |
| Construction · Sector | 50 | $83,040 |
| Manufacturing · Sector | — | $125,050 |
Where this work is most concentrated
Industries where this occupation is far more common than in the economy as a whole. The location quotient is how many times more concentrated it is here (a value of 5 means five times its economy-wide share).
| Industry | Concentration | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction · Sector | 106.43× | 2,680 |
| Engineering Services · National industry | 42.75× | 2,170 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services · Sector | 6.47× | 3,060 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises · Sector | 3× | 370 |
Related occupations
Part of the Energy & Natural Resources career cluster.
- Petroleum Engineers · 17-2171.00 Compare →
- Civil Engineers · 17-2051.00 Compare →
- Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians · 19-4043.00 Compare →
- Industrial Engineers · 17-2112.00 Compare →
- Geothermal Production Managers · 11-3051.02 Compare →
- Chemical Engineers · 17-2041.00 Compare →
- Environmental Engineers · 17-2081.00 Compare →
- Water/Wastewater Engineers · 17-2051.02 Compare →
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers · 19-2042.00 Compare →
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians · 17-3022.00 Compare →
- Materials Engineers · 17-2131.00 Compare →
- Nuclear Engineers · 17-2161.00 Compare →
Side-by-side comparisons place two occupations’ pay, preparation, skills, and AI exposure on the same page — same data, same scale, no forecast.
What you can do with this
Options the data surfaces for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers — not advice or a forecast. Each is a real cross-link you can follow into the evidence.
Skills that travel
Capabilities this work builds that are used across many other occupations.
Adjacent roles
Occupations O*NET rates as related — the nearby moves on the map.
Paths in
How people typically prepare for this work.
- Bachelor's degree · typical entry level
- Job zone 4 — Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed · preparation tier
- Engineering · field of study
Zoom out
On the global GenAI exposure gradient this work sits around the 55th percentile of 427 international occupations.
Write a report on thisheadline · factoids · citation
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers show 81st-percentile AI task overlap — and about 400 annual U.S. openings
- Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers rank in the 81st percentile (High band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated.Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE
- The occupation is projected to see about 400 U.S. job openings per year (2024–34), counting growth and replacement — a labor-demand projection made independently of AI.BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
- BLS projects employment to be about average (+0.7%) from 2024 to 2034.BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
- Median annual pay is $101,020, across about 6,770 U.S. workers.BLS OEWS (May 2024)
Copy the whole kit
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers show 81st-percentile AI task overlap — and about 400 annual U.S. openings • Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers rank in the 81st percentile (High band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated. (Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE) • The occupation is projected to see about 400 U.S. job openings per year (2024–34), counting growth and replacement — a labor-demand projection made independently of AI. (BLS Employment Projections 2024–34) • BLS projects employment to be about average (+0.7%) from 2024 to 2034. (BLS Employment Projections 2024–34) • Median annual pay is $101,020, across about 6,770 U.S. workers. (BLS OEWS (May 2024)) Source: Singulariki — "Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers". https://singulariki.com/roles/role-17-2151-00 Note: AI task overlap measures what today's AI can attempt, not automation, job loss, or a forecast.
AssetsShare imageMethodology & sourcesPress & newsroomThe newsroom
Every line is built only from figures this page already shows and cites. AI task overlap means what today's AI can attempt — not automation, job loss, or a forecast.
Sources for this page
Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.
- O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai Microsoft Research
- “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic
- AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans academic
- ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025 International Labour Organization
- IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022 Institute for Structural Research (IBS)
- Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation academic
- Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome academic
Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.
Cite this page
Plain
Singulariki. "Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers." Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Built from O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://singulariki.com/roles/role-17-2151-00
APA
Singulariki. (2026). Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers. Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://singulariki.com/roles/role-17-2151-00
BibTeX
@misc{singulariki-role-17-2151-00,
title = {Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers},
author = {{Singulariki}},
year = {2026},
note = {O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026},
url = {https://singulariki.com/roles/role-17-2151-00}
} Citations name the underlying public dataset releases — they reflect what this page is built from, not just the URL.