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Underground Coal Mining Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Required Qualifications Mine Examiner certification Thorough knowledge of MSHA laws and regulations applicable to underground coal mining. Thorough knowledge of Illinois State Mining Laws. Ability to ...

Required Qualifications • Mine Examiner certification • Thorough knowledge of MSHA laws and regulations applicable to underground coal mining. • Thorough knowledge of Illinois State Mining Laws ...

Required Qualifications · Mine Examiner certification · Thorough knowledge of MSHA laws and regulations applicable to underground coal mining. · Thorough knowledge of Illinois State Mining Laws ...

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Underground Coal Mining information

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How much do underground coal mining jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for underground coal mining in the United States is $25.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.67 and $27.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is underground coal mining?

Underground coal mining is the process of extracting coal from deep beneath the Earth's surface using tunnels and shafts. Unlike surface mining, this method is used when coal deposits are located too deep to be mined by open-pit methods. Workers use specialized equipment to remove coal in a series of tunnels, often employing techniques like room-and-pillar or longwall mining. This method is labor-intensive and requires strict safety measures to protect miners from hazards such as roof collapses, gas explosions, and flooding. Underground coal mining plays a significant role in providing the coal needed for electricity generation and industrial processes.

What does an underground coal miner do?

Underground coal miners typically start their day with a safety briefing before heading underground, where they operate machinery, inspect equipment, and monitor ventilation systems to ensure safe and efficient coal extraction. Collaboration is key, as miners work closely with crew members to coordinate tasks such as drilling, blasting, and transporting coal to the surface. Communication and teamwork are essential to address any hazards that arise quickly and to maintain a safe work environment. Regular check-ins and adherence to safety protocols are integral throughout each shift.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an underground coal miner?

To thrive as an Underground Coal Miner, you need physical stamina, basic mechanical aptitude, and knowledge of mining safety protocols, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent and specialized mine safety certifications. Familiarity with mining machinery, ventilation systems, and personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and communication skills help miners work safely and efficiently in challenging environments. These skills and qualities are vital for ensuring safe operations, minimizing hazards, and maintaining productivity underground.

What is the difference between Underground Coal Mining vs Surface Coal Mining?

AspectUnderground Coal MiningSurface Coal Mining
Work EnvironmentUnderground tunnels and shaftsOpen-pit or strip mines on the surface
CredentialsMining certifications, safety trainingMining certifications, safety training
Industry UsageCommon in deep coal depositsUsed for shallow deposits
Job TasksDrilling, blasting, extracting coal undergroundRemoving overburden, extracting coal from surface

Underground Coal Mining involves working in tunnels deep beneath the earth's surface, requiring specialized safety training and certifications. In contrast, Surface Coal Mining occurs on the surface, often involving large machinery to remove overburden and extract coal. Both roles are essential in the coal industry but differ significantly in work environment and techniques.

How much do underground coal miners make?

Underground coal miners typically earn an average annual salary between $60,000 and $80,000, depending on experience, location, and shift differentials. Many miners receive additional compensation for overtime, hazardous conditions, and specialized skills, with benefits often included. Salaries can vary based on union agreements and company policies.

Is underground coal mining a good paying job?

Underground coal mining jobs typically offer higher wages compared to surface mining due to the challenging environment and specialized skills required. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and union membership, with many positions providing benefits and overtime pay. However, the work involves safety risks and physical demands that are important considerations for potential workers.
More about Underground Coal Mining jobs

What cities are hiring for Underground Coal Mining jobs?

Cities with the most Underground Coal Mining job openings:

What states have the most Underground Coal Mining jobs?

States with the most job openings for Underground Coal Mining jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Underground Coal Mining jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Underground Coal Mining jobs are:

Infographic showing various Underground Coal Mining job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,564 per year, or $25.3 per hour.

Underground Coal Foreman (Outby, Section, Maintenance, Longwall, Belt)

Warrior Met Coal

Brookwood, AL • On-site

$85K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 7 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Supervise, coordinate, and schedule the activities of all mine operations personnel.

  • Provide leadership to mining activities, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and on time.

  • Coordinate resources to maintain and improve equipment performance and availability.


Warrior Met Coal rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

31st of 41 rated mining


Job description

Warrior Met Coal (Brookwood, AL.) has current openings for Underground Mining Foreman. There are several positions open at this time that focus on different specialties.

Warrior is a U.S.-based, environmentally, and socially minded supplier to the global steel industry. We are dedicated entirely to mining non-thermal metallurgical coal used as a critical component of steel production by metal manufacturers in Europe, South America, and Asia. Warrior is a large-scale, low-cost producer and exporter of premium quality metallurgical coal, also known as hard-coking coal (HCC), operating highly efficient longwall operations in its underground mines based in Alabama.

The Foreman’s primary purpose is to supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of all mine operations personnel.

Supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of all mine operations personnel.

  • Provide leadership to all mining activities, ensuring work is being completed in a safe, efficient and timely manner.
  • Control all allocated labor to ensure maximum availability of resources by managing absenteeism and taking corrective action where applicable.
  • Coordinate resources to maintain and enhance critical equipment performance and availability through best business practices.
  • Supervise, train, and develop assigned team members as required.
  • Establish good working relationships with other departments.

Production, Efficiency and Cost Control

  • Coordinate equipment usage to ensure efficient and effective achievement of operational objectives.
  • Analyze equipment rates and make changes to daily operational plans as necessary, based on mining conditions.
  • Ensure achievement of production targets by maintaining operational objectives.
  • Ensures all administrative data for the operations is generated accurately and in a timely manner; including all equipment and personnel time sheets and log books as well as daily diaries and production reports as required.
  • Ensure that all records on equipment utilization (i.e. hours, pre-start checklists and utilized hours, are recorded on a daily basis.)
  • Report performance breakdowns, equipment damage, safety near misses, incidents and accidents according to established procedures.
  • Implement daily, weekly and monthly operational plans and objectives, in accordance with production plan requirements.
  • Assesses employee performance against objectives on a regular basis as per Company policy and take corrective action where required.
  • Implement and maintain operating procedures to ensure safe and effective operation of the mine.
  • Implement actions to optimize mining process performance and attain efficiency targets in the areas of: labor productivity, equipment availability, utilization, and material consumption.
  • Participate actively with the technical services group to support the development of optimum mining short and long-term plans.
  • Develop and implement area work ownership with resources to maintain appropriate balance of workload with priority to equipment availability.
  • Investigate accidents and near misses with a view toward positive action, emphasis on prevention through training, equipment set-up or equipment repair and report on findings and conclusions.
  • Identify haul roads and dumpsites that need repair and ensure deviations are rectified.

Environment and Safety

  • Improve on safety standards by holding safety meetings, conducting safety interactions and taking corrective action where required.
  • Ensure adherence to State, Federal and Company workplace policies and standard work procedures for risk identification, risk assessment and risk control;
  • Maintain a high level of Safety performance through effective communication, monitoring and revision of standard work procedures.
  • Identify and report safety risks, accidents, incidents, injuries and property damage at the workplace.
  • Attend and participate on all scheduled safety meetings and training.
  • Investigate accidents and near misses with a view toward positive action, through training, equipment set-up or equipment repair and report on findings and conclusions.
  • Maintain environmental awareness amongst workforce by holding meetings and involving the environmental department in related subjects.
  • Ensure adherence to environmental policy, work standards, management plans and regulatory obligations and requirements;
  • Integrate environmental policies, programs, and practices into all activities of the organization

If your are an experienced Miner looking for a great opportunity with a well established and expanding company, with great pay and benefits please feel free to apply on our careers page at https://warriormetcoal.com/careers/.

Company Description

Warrior Met Coal is a leading producer and exporter of metallurgical coal for the global steel industry from underground mines located in Brookwood, Alabama, southwest of Birmingham and near Tuscaloosa. These underground coal mines are 1,400 to 2,100 feet underground, making them some of the deepest vertical shaft coal mines in North America.
We consider it a privilege to work and operate in the great state of Alabama and consider Brookwood, Alabama to be one of the premier coal mining towns in the south. Centrally located between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, our mines are also a short drive from locations such as Memphis, Atlanta, Nashville, New Orleans, and many of the Gulf beaches like Destin, Panama City and Gulf Shores to name a few. Our families live, work, and attend school in the surrounding communities. We constantly strive to be a respected, responsible corporate citizen of our communities. We are conscientious about our impact on the lives of others, including the economic impact we have in our community.

Operating safely is a high priority for Warrior Met Coal. We are committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all employees and the continued enhancement of a safety culture ensuring that all employees return home safely to their families every day.


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