General
Mining And Mineral Engineering
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Mining And Mineral Engineering.
Entry Level Salary
$80,232
Median Salary
$135,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
23.3%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $5,400,000
Entry (Early)
$80,232
Median (Prime)
$135,000
High (Prime)
$120,000
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
+245k
+685k
+566k
$25k / yr
+155k
+595k
+476k
$50k / yr
+65k
+505k
+386k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
27
24
24
$25k / yr
34
26
27
$50k / yr
45
29
30
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
∞
∞
∞
$25k / yr
143%
548%
438%
$50k / yr
30%
232%
177%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate37.5%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Architecture and engineering occupations
12.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$81,412
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$108,798|$97,310
openings
186,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.3%
Management occupations
8.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$73,158
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$101,295|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Civil engineers
5.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$86,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$114,776|$99,590
openings
23,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5%
Engineers, All Other
4.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$84,413
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$108,000|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Software developers
4.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,020
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$155,426|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
General and operations managers
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$16,738
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$439,408|$102,950
openings
308,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Construction managers
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$54,024
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$118,178|$106,980
openings
46,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.7%
Architectural and engineering managers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$168,724
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$259,575|$167,740
openings
14,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.8%
Top executives
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$103,535
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$159,284|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Computer occupations, all other
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$140,569
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$145,190|$108,970
openings
31,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.2%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| mining and mineral engineering. | Bachelor's Degree | 14 | $88,904 - $120,031 |
| mining and mineral engineering. | Master's Degree | 9 | $125,688 - $125,688 |