by our College Data Analytics TeamMining Technology/Technician was the 1,458 most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 8 degrees in this year alone. This 16 less than the prior year, a decrease of 200.0%.
Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of mining tech programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in mining technology/technician is watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional mining tech certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Mining Tech degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in mining technology/technician to the highest mining tech degree, a . How long it takes to complete some common mining tech degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to mining tech, with approximately 22.8% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for mining tech workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 26.5% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 26.4% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 21.3% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 15.6% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 8.5% |
The chart below shows what degree level those who work in mining technology/technician have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the mining tech career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your mining tech degree? Mining Technology/Technician careers are expected to grow 11.6% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to mining technology/technician.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technicians | 80,800 | 5.2% |
| Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators | 51,100 | 23.4% |
As you might expect, salaries for mining tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for mining technology/technician graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers mining tech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technicians | $65,720 |
| Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators | $52,780 |
With over 15 different mining tech degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased mining tech school rankings to help you with this.
One of 2 majors within the Mining & Petroleum Technology area of study, Mining Technology/Technician has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Technology/Technician | 434 |
| Other Mining & Petroleum Technologies | 3 |
Image Credit: By Jeffrey Beall under License More about our data sources and methodologies.