Underground Operator Salary in Belen, NM

How much does an Underground Operator make in Belen, NM?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Underground Operator in Belen, NM is $73,148 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, an Underground Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $92,149
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $64,930 to $83,094
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,447
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View as table View as graph 25% $64,930 10% $57,447 90% $92,149 75% $83,094 $73,148 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Underground Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $83,094 $6,924 $1,598 $40
Average $73,148 $6,096 $1,407 $35
25th Percentile $64,930 $5,411 $1,249 $31
Check out Underground Operator Job Openings in Belen, NM
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Key Factors That Influence Underground Operator Salaries

An Underground Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Underground Operators

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $99,116
  • San Francisco: $98,031
  • Oakland: $95,965

What Skills Can Increase an Underground Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 5.21% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Equipment Operation (Mentioned in 3.69% Job Postings): This is skilled and unskilled work in the operation of mechanical tools and light to heavy equipment used in maintenance and construction or on the grounds of state properties or facilities and routine maintenance of that equipment.
  • Public Works (Mentioned in 2.37% Job Postings): Public works are a broad category of infrastructure projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 5.21%
Equipment Operation 3.69%
Public Works 2.37%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Underground Operator's salary.
  • Waste Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Waste Management
 $76,806
5%
Time Management
 $76,806
5%
Written Communication
 $75,343
3%
Analysis
 $75,343
3%
Coordination
 $74,611
2%
Standard Operating Procedures
 $74,611
2%
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Underground Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Underground Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Underground Operator positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Underground Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Underground Operator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$87,778$42.020%
Biotechnology$87,778$42.020%
Chemicals$87,778$42.020%
Energy & Utilities$87,778$42.020%
Financial Services$87,778$42.020%

Underground Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Underground Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$64,930
Average $73,148/year
$83,094
$5,411
Average $6,096/month
$6,924
$1,249
Average $1,407/week
$1,598
$31
Average $35/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $83,094 $6,924 $1,598 $40
Average $73,148 $6,096 $1,407 $35
25th Percentile $64,930 $5,411 $1,249 $31

Salaries of jobs related to Underground Operator

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Cost of Living In Belen, NM

Cost of Living in Belen, NM is
-6.0% Lower
than the National Average

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.

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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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