What are the main factors that influence an Underground Operator's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Underground Operator?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Underground Operator roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

How does experience change An Underground Operator's salary?

An Underground Operator's salary grows with experience: a Heavy Equipment Operator I (0-1 years)earns $46,875, a Heavy Equipment Operator II (1-3 years)earns $52,892, a Heavy Equipment Operator III (3-5 years)earns $60,502, a Underground Operator (5-7 years)earns $80,201,

What are the highest paying states for an Underground Operator?

Underground Operator salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Underground Operator roles are District of Columbia $87,006, California $86,676, Massachusetts $85,521. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Underground Operator roles make?

Salaries for Underground Operator level roles vary by specialization: Underground Coal Miner: $99,627; Underground Mining Engineer: $95,289; Underground Engineer: $90,569; Foreman Underground: $88,720; Underground Laborer: $88,628.

Underground Operator Salary in Delaware

How much does an Underground Operator make in Delaware?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Underground Operator in Delaware is $79,580 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $100,251
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $70,639 to $90,400
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,498

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Underground Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$90,400	$7,533	$1,738	$43
Average	$79,580	$6,632	$1,530	$38
25th Percentile	$70,639	$5,887	$1,358	$34

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Underground Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Underground Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $87,006.
California: $86,676.
Massachusetts: $85,521.

District of Columbia $87,006 California $86,676 Massachusetts $85,521 Washington $85,207 New Jersey $85,175 Alaska $85,065 Connecticut $83,981 New York $83,541

Hawaii $82,134 Rhode Island $81,474 Maryland $81,026 Minnesota $80,413 Colorado $80,178 Illinois $80,099 Oregon $79,800 Delaware $79,580

New Hampshire $79,442 Virginia $79,132 Pennsylvania $78,229 Nevada $77,773 North Dakota $77,624 Michigan $77,388 Wisconsin $77,302 Vermont $77,129

Texas $76,649 Maine $76,618 Arizona $76,571 Ohio $76,516 Georgia $75,793 Indiana $75,431 Wyoming $75,361 Utah $75,251

Iowa $75,203 Kansas $74,826 Louisiana $74,716 North Carolina $74,677 Missouri $74,661 Florida $74,355 Montana $74,190 Nebraska $74,032

Kentucky $73,946 South Carolina $73,632 Tennessee $73,435 Idaho $73,357 New Mexico $72,783 Oklahoma $72,657 Alabama $72,194 South Dakota $71,416

Arkansas $70,991 West Virginia $70,763 Mississippi $70,080

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:

Lincoln: $79,222
Little Creek: $79,802
Magnolia: $79,687

Lincoln, DE $79,222 Little Creek, DE $79,802 Magnolia, DE $79,687 Milford, DE $79,423 Marydel, DE $79,554 Millsboro, DE $78,890 Millville, DE $79,011 Milton, DE $79,148

Nassau, DE $79,206 Ocean View, DE $78,998 Rehoboth Beach, DE $79,150 Seaford, DE $79,195 Selbyville, DE $78,867 Smyrna, DE $79,857 Viola, DE $79,489 Woodside, DE $79,703

Bear, DE $79,519 Newark, DE $79,489 Claymont, DE $79,652 Delaware City, DE $79,569 Hockessin, DE $79,482 Kirkwood, DE $79,554 Middletown, DE $79,584 Montchanin, DE $79,500

New Castle, DE $79,512 Odessa, DE $79,624 Port Penn, DE $79,677 Rockland, DE $79,508 Saint Georges, DE $79,559 Townsend, DE $79,682 Winterthur, DE $79,518 Lewes, DE $79,179

Wilmington, DE $79,486 Dover, DE $79,802 Dover Afb, DE $79,382 Bethany Beach, DE $78,915 Bethel, DE $78,997 Bridgeville, DE $79,183 Camden Wyoming, DE $79,577 Cheswold, DE $79,776

Clayton, DE $79,778 Dagsboro, DE $78,860 Delmar, DE $78,733 Ellendale, DE $78,972 Felton, DE $79,417 Fenwick Island, DE $78,877 Frankford, DE $78,740 Frederica, DE $79,496

Georgetown, DE $78,830 Greenwood, DE $79,195 Harbeson, DE $78,914 Harrington, DE $79,316 Hartly, DE $79,563 Houston, DE $79,203 Kenton, DE $79,782 Laurel, DE $78,783

Yorklyn, DE $79,506

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	$95,496	$46.0	20%
Biotechnology	$95,496	$46.0	20%
Chemicals	$95,496	$46.0	20%
Energy & Utilities	$95,496	$46.0	20%
Financial Services	$95,496	$46.0	20%

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.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

$70,639

Average $79,580/year

$90,400

$5,887

Average $6,632/month

$7,533

$1,358

Average $1,530/week

$1,738

$34

Average $38/hour

$43

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$90,400	$7,533	$1,738	$43
Average	$79,580	$6,632	$1,530	$38
25th Percentile	$70,639	$5,887	$1,358	$34

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