Mining and Geological Engineers in California. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where California mining and geological engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $122,120 and $169,770, with a median of $158,130.
Mining and Geological Engineers in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 6 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $116,500. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 3 | $81,245 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $135,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $138,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $175,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Mining and Geological Engineers in California. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nipa Inc. | Project Manager, Coordinator & Soil Engineer | 2 | $81,245 |
| Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc. | Fire Life Safety - Tunnel Ventilation Specialist | 1 | $98,000 |
| Mariana Minerals Co. | Sr. Mine Engineer, Planning and Optimization | 1 | $175,000 |
| MARIANA MINERALS CO. | SENIOR MINE ENGINEER, TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION | 1 | $135,000 |
| U.S. Borax Inc. | Data Engineer - KBGFJG210036-5 | 1 | $138,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Sr. Mine Engineer, Planning and Optimization at Mariana Minerals Co.$175,000San FranciscoWage Level IVDecided Mar 5, 2026I-200-26057-668250
- SENIOR MINE ENGINEER, TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION at MARIANA MINERALS CO.$135,000SAN FRANCISCOWage Level IIDecided Nov 4, 2025I-200-25268-335775
- Project Manager, Coordinator & Soil Engineer at Nipa Inc.$81,245Santa AnaWage Level IDecided Aug 21, 2025I-200-25226-242584
- Data Engineer - KBGFJG210036-5 at U.S. Borax Inc.$138,000BoronWage Level IIIDecided Jun 24, 2025I-200-25167-094719
- Fire Life Safety - Tunnel Ventilation Specialist at Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc.$98,000Los AngelesWage Level IDecided Jun 3, 2025I-200-25147-021005
- Project Manager, Coordinator & Soil Engineer at Nipa Inc.$81,245Santa AnaWage Level IDecided Aug 21, 2025I-200-25226-242699
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Mining and Geological Engineers pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Mining and Geological Engineers in California, by industry
Median offered wage across 4 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Energy and utilities leads with a median of $156,500.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy and utilities | Mariana Minerals Co. | 2 | $156,500 |
| Manufacturing | MARIANA MINERALS CO. | 1 | $135,000 |
| Professional services | Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc. | 1 | $98,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.5 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Complex Problem Solving
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Writing
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Judgment and Decision Making
Technical
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel.
- 02
Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.
- 03
Test air to detect toxic gases and recommend measures to remove them, such as installation of ventilation shafts.
- 04
Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics.
- 05
Select locations and plan underground or surface mining operations, specifying processes, labor usage, and equipment that will result in safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction of minerals and ores.
- 06
Implement and coordinate mine safety programs, including the design and maintenance of protective and rescue equipment and safety devices.
- 07
Devise solutions to problems of land reclamation and water and air pollution, such as methods of storing excavated soil and returning exhausted mine sites to natural states.
- 08
Prepare schedules, reports, and estimates of the costs involved in developing and operating mines.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
0.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Slower than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for mining and geological engineers in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Francisco$173,790
- Sacramento$166,770
- Los Angeles$144,230
- San Diego$107,590
Compare Mining and Geological Engineers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare California with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Mining and Geological Engineers in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Mining and Geological Engineers in California is $158,130.
- How does California compare to the national median for Mining and Geological Engineers?
- The California median is +51.2% versus the BLS national figure of $104,571.
- What is the salary range for Mining and Geological Engineers in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $84,430 and the 90th-percentile at $175,940, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Mining and Geological Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment flat by 0.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Mining and Geological Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.