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Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers vs. Civil Engineers: Who Earns More?

Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers out-earn Civil Engineers by $5K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers land at $106,220 and Civil Engineers at $100,840. The education gap is real: mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while civil engineer programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers is California ($158,130); for Civil Engineers it's California ($122,500).

Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Civil Engineers
Median salary
$106,220
$100,840
Hourly rate
$51.07/hr
$48.48/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$67,490
$68,240
Senior level (90th %)
$169,990
$163,220
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
6,080
367,840
Job growth (10-year)
0.7%
5%
Category
Engineering
Engineering
Top-paying state
California
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers median pay.

State
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Civil Engineers
California
$158,130
$122,500
Oklahoma
$131,660
$98,760
Alaska
$124,630
$114,730
Florida
$117,500
$98,570
Indiana
$113,640
$98,270
Illinois
$107,690
$99,760
Nevada
$107,500
$104,310
Kentucky
$103,300
$100,930
Alabama
$102,530
$99,010
South Carolina
$98,790
$101,600
Colorado
$96,820
$101,420
Oregon
$96,210
$105,250
Minnesota
$91,610
$101,480
New York
$82,200
$103,760
North Carolina
$70,310
$100,730

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers or Civil Engineers?

Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $106,220 for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers versus $100,840 for Civil Engineers, a difference of $5K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers or Civil Engineers?

Civil Engineers has the better 10-year outlook at 5% projected growth, compared to 0.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers or Civil Engineers?

Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers typically requires bachelor's degree. Civil Engineers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers at $158,130/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers vs. Civil Engineers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers earn $158,130 vs. $122,500 for Civil Engineers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers salary breakdownView →Full Civil Engineers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Civil Engineers by take-home payExplore →How to become a mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineersGuide →How to become a civil engineersGuide →