Continuous Mining Machine Operators vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?
Continuous Mining Machine Operators out-earn Construction Laborers by $15K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Continuous Mining Machine Operators land at $61,810 and Construction Laborers at $47,120. The education gap is real: continuous mining machine operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while construction laborer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Continuous Mining Machine Operators is Minnesota ($90,820); for Construction Laborers it's Hawaii ($77,110).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Continuous Mining Machine Operators median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Continuous Mining Machine Operators or Construction Laborers?
Continuous Mining Machine Operators earn more nationally. The median is $61,810 for Continuous Mining Machine Operators versus $47,120 for Construction Laborers, a difference of $15K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Continuous Mining Machine Operators or Construction Laborers?
Construction Laborers has the better 10-year outlook at 7.3% projected growth, compared to 0.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Continuous Mining Machine Operators or Construction Laborers?
Continuous Mining Machine Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Construction Laborers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Continuous Mining Machine Operators get paid the most?
Minnesota is the top-paying state for Continuous Mining Machine Operators at $90,820/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Continuous Mining Machine Operators vs. Construction Laborers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Minnesota, Continuous Mining Machine Operators earn $90,820 vs. $60,260 for Construction Laborers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.