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Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?

Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining out-earn Construction Laborers by $27K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining land at $74,500 and Construction Laborers at $47,120. The education gap is real: loading and moving machine operators, underground mining programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while construction laborer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining is Wyoming ($112,110); for Construction Laborers it's Hawaii ($77,110).

Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
Construction Laborers
Median salary
$74,500
$47,120
Hourly rate
$35.82/hr
$22.66/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$52,030
$35,090
Senior level (90th %)
$87,730
$78,090
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
5,930
1,096,780
Job growth (10-year)
-22.3%
7.3%
Category
Construction & Trades
Construction & Trades
Top-paying state
Wyoming
Hawaii

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining median pay.

State
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
Construction Laborers
Wyoming
$112,110
$46,030
Alaska
$93,130
$58,060
Nevada
$82,920
$48,990
South Carolina
$80,480
$42,940
Colorado
$79,150
$47,900
Virginia
$76,900
$43,560
Illinois
$75,890
$60,690
Pennsylvania
$75,240
$49,400
West Virginia
$74,950
$42,670
Arizona
$72,430
$46,590
Ohio
$71,380
$56,080
New York
$60,890
$55,930
Michigan
$59,310
$49,590
Missouri
$52,040
$56,730
Iowa
$48,490
$48,490

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining or Construction Laborers?

Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining earn more nationally. The median is $74,500 for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining versus $47,120 for Construction Laborers, a difference of $27K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining or Construction Laborers?

Construction Laborers has the better 10-year outlook at 7.3% projected growth, compared to -22.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining or Construction Laborers?

Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining 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 Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining get paid the most?

Wyoming is the top-paying state for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining at $112,110/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining vs. Construction Laborers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Wyoming, Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining earn $112,110 vs. $46,030 for Construction Laborers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining salary breakdownView →Full Construction Laborers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Construction Laborers by take-home payExplore →How to become a loading and moving machine operators, underground miningGuide →How to become a construction laborersGuide →