A mining engineer salary can depend on location, specialty, experience, and training. Like other engineers, mining engineers tend to be well paid because of their high level of expertise and the corresponding amount of training involved. Their work can involve harsh conditions on site, although it is not usually physically demanding. People who are able to be flexible may have access to higher pay than those who have limits on working hours and location because of family and other concerns.
One important factor in a mining engineer salary is location. People working domestically may make less than employees overseas, depending on where they are stationed. Companies who send personnel to remote areas usually pay those staff more and may offer hardship pay in addition to assistance with travel expenses so they can take vacations. Specialized experience at overseas sites can also play a role in compensation, as a company may be reluctant to lose a staff member who is intimately familiar with a location.
Members of this profession have a variety of specialties and some pay more. Mining engineers can consult on a variety of ores, precious stones, and rock types. Well-established industries may offer more money, particularly for people handling high-value commodities. Whether an engineer works for a mining corporation, mining services firm, or government agency can also make a difference, as these employers offer varying levels of pay.
More experience can equal a higher mining engineer salary, as people with extensive familiarity can be more efficient and may be more able to identify any potential pitfalls of a project. Companies may also have a pay system that rewards long-term employees to reward people for staying with a firm. Training and level of education can play an additional role in a mining engineer salary, as companies tend to pay more for people with higher-level degrees or advanced training.
To be competitive on the job market, it can help to belong to a professional organization. This indicates a commitment to ongoing professional education as well as an interest in the latest research and technology in the trade. Attending conferences and taking advantage of opportunities for journal publications can also be helpful for someone who wants a higher salary, as these qualifications can be helpful in negotiations with an employer. People with more experience and publications may also be able to choose between competing job offers, or negotiate a better mining engineer salary on the basis of an offer from a competing firm.
