Prevailing Wage for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
The prevailing wage for a Coal Hauler Operator in the U.S. is set by DOL and defines the minimum an employer must pay a sponsored worker in this role. Whether the job title reads Equipment Operator or Loader Operator, DOL assigns four experience-based wage levels, and the floor shifts significantly depending on which city the worksite sits in.
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Level 1 covers entry-level operators with limited underground mining experience, typically working under direct supervision and handling routine loading or moving tasks with basic equipment familiarity. Most candidates at this level have less than two years in the occupation.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for Coal Hauler Operators. It applies to workers with solid hands-on experience who operate independently on standard tasks, understand equipment maintenance basics, and need only occasional supervisory guidance.
Level 3 applies to experienced operators who handle complex or non-routine assignments, may informally guide newer crew members, and bring specialized knowledge of underground machinery and site-specific protocols developed over several years in the field.
Level 4 covers fully competent operators in lead or senior roles, often responsible for training others, coordinating multi-machine operations, or serving as a primary point of contact for safety and production decisions on a section of the mine.
Prevailing Wage for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Coal Hauler Operator and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Verify your title maps to SOC 47-5044
Postings for Load Haul Dump Operators and Miner Operators sometimes get filed under a different SOC, which sets a different wage floor. Confirm your offer letter title and the SOC code on the LCA match the underground mining classification, not a surface mining or general equipment operator category.
Treat Wheeling as your wage benchmark
Wheeling, Ohio consistently posts the highest prevailing wage for this occupation among reported metros. If your offer is in a mid-wage market, compare it against the Wheeling floor to understand your position in the national range for underground mining operators.
Watch for signing bonuses excluded from the wage calculation
Underground mining employers sometimes structure compensation with a one-time signing bonus or safety incentive pay that does not count toward the prevailing wage floor. Only regular hourly or annual base pay satisfies the DOL wage obligation for sponsored Coal Hauler Operator positions.
Search Migrate Mate for employers who have sponsored this role
Coal Hauler Operator sponsorships are concentrated in a small set of mining companies. Migrate Mate shows which employers have an actual H-1B or green card filing history for underground mining equipment roles, so you can target outreach to companies already familiar with the process.
Jobs for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Coal Hauler OperatorPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 47-5044.00 alongside Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Coal Hauler Operator Prevailing Wage
Coal Hauler Operator Prevailing Wage
Coal Hauler Operator positions fall under SOC 47-5044.00 (Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Equipment Operator Prevailing Wage
Equipment Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Equipment Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-5044.00 (Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Load Haul Dump Operator (LHD Operator) Prevailing Wage
Load Haul Dump Operator (LHD Operator) Prevailing Wage
Load Haul Dump Operator (LHD Operator) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-5044.00 (Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Loader Operator Prevailing Wage
Loader Operator Prevailing Wage
Loader Operator positions fall under SOC 47-5044.00 (Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Loading Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Loading Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Loading Machine Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-5044.00 (Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Miner Operator Prevailing Wage
Miner Operator Prevailing Wage
Miner Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-5044.00 (Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Production Miner Prevailing Wage
Production Miner Prevailing Wage
Production Miner positions fall under SOC 47-5044.00 (Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Ram Car Operator Prevailing Wage
Ram Car Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Ram Car Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-5044.00 (Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Shuttle Car Operator Prevailing Wage
Shuttle Car Operator Prevailing Wage
Shuttle Car Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-5044.00 (Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Underground Miner Prevailing Wage
Underground Miner Prevailing Wage
Underground Miner positions fall under SOC 47-5044.00 (Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for a Coal Hauler Operator?
DOL calculates the prevailing wage using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For each metro area, BLS surveys employers to capture actual wages paid to workers in the occupation. DOL then divides those results into four wage levels based on experience and complexity, and publishes the figures through the OFLC Wage Search tool for employers to use on LCA filings.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
The four levels reflect increasing experience and responsibility. Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision; Level 2 is the standard qualified worker operating independently; Level 3 covers experienced operators handling complex assignments; Level 4 is reserved for senior or lead roles. The level on your LCA should match the actual duties and supervision structure in the offer, not simply the title. If the duties described require experienced judgment, filing at Level 1 to hit a lower floor is a compliance risk.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Equipment Operator role vary so much between cities?
DOL sets wages by metropolitan statistical area using regional OES survey data, so the floor reflects what employers in that local labor market actually pay. Underground mining is geographically concentrated, meaning survey sample sizes in some metros are small and wages can spike or compress based on a handful of large employers. The LCA must list the actual worksite city, so the floor that applies is always the one for the location where the work is performed, not the employer's headquarters.
What happens if an employer offers a sponsored Coal Hauler Operator less than the prevailing wage?
DOL requires the employer to certify on the LCA that it will pay at least the prevailing wage for the occupation and worksite. If the offered salary falls below that floor, OFLC can refuse to certify the LCA, which blocks the visa petition. For green card cases, USCIS also reviews wage compliance during adjudication. An employer cannot substitute benefits, bonuses, or equity to make up a shortfall in base pay.
How do I find the prevailing wage for a Loader Operator position in a specific U.S. city?
The most direct method is the OFLC Wage Search tool, which lets you look up wages by SOC code, experience level, and metropolitan area. Search for SOC 47-5044 and select the metro that matches your worksite. Cross-check the result against O*NET to confirm the occupation description aligns with your duties. Migrate Mate can also show you which employers have sponsored this role historically, helping you identify active hiring companies before you negotiate.
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